Ireland is known for a lot of great things, but weather (for at least 75 percent of the year) is not one of them. The chilly, rainy weather does, however, provide the opportunity, or perhaps excuse, to spend plenty of time in some of Ireland’s classic cozy taverns.

During our most recent visit, we got stuck in the rain after doing some shopping in the English Market and wandered into the first pub we could find, which happened to be one of the most beautiful, warm and welcoming bars I’ve visited in Cork.

St. Fin Barre’s Cathedral © Hel080808, Dreamstime.com

The first thing we noticed when we walked into The Oval was the bar’s distinctive architecture and character. The oval-shaped ceiling, from which the bar gets its name, was so ornately designed you almost forgot you were in a bar.

After grabbing our drinks, we made our way through the bar to a cozy nook that reminded me of an Edgar Allan Poe poem. The lights were dim, mostly coming from candles with dripping wax, and we sat on deep red armchairs next to an open fireplace surrounded by wooden bookcases stocked with vintage books and photographs. The walls were covered in eclectic movie and music posters and newspaper articles.

The bar itself is located on the corner of  historic South Main and Tuckey Street and was designed and built in 1917 by a Scottish architecture firm for the Beamish and Crawford Brewery across the street. The bar is also close to the stunning St. Fin Barre’s Cathedral, which is also worth a visit next time you’re in Cork.

— Nicole Quasté, assistant editor