A visual record of places full of character, history and stories.
The traditional Irish pub has always been more than somewhere to have a drink. For generations, these places sat at the heart of local communities — places where people gathered, shared news, marked important moments and built relationships. Many also doubled as shops, selling groceries, hardware and other everyday goods.
What interested me most was the character of these pubs. Their signage, typography, interiors, objects and, above all, the people who gave them their personality. Many have existed for generations and carry with them layers of social and cultural history. At the same time, changes in Irish society have meant that many of these traditional pubs are disappearing.
I wanted to create something that felt less like a conventional pub guide and more like a visual archive — a book that documented these places with the care and importance I felt they deserved.
The concept was inspired in part by Craig Oldham’s In Loving Memory of the Work, particularly the way the design treats its subject with respect, craft and a real sense of significance. That idea of creating an object that feels important became central to my approach.
The identity combines a restrained black-and-white photographic approach with traditional typography and a muted orange accent. The cover uses a pair of eyes as its central image — a small glimpse of the character, humour and lived experience found inside these pubs. The intention was to create something that felt both contemporary and rooted in tradition.
Inside, each pub is treated as a story in its own right, combining photography, history, portraits of owners or regulars, and the unusual objects and memorabilia that have accumulated over time. Those details help capture not just how these places look, but why they matter.
