The votes have been tallied, the pints have been finished, and a winner has been determined in New Jersey Monthly’s Best Irish Pub Poll, sponsored by Tullamore Dew. After a month of intense competition, Kilkenny House in Cranford emerges as the champion.
Owner Barry O’Donovan, who opened the pub in September 2008, was grateful to New Jersey Monthly, Tullamore Dew and the enthusiastic support of his loyal friend and patrons.
“It’s truly an honor to win with all the great Irish pubs in New Jersey,” he said. “It’s a lovely feeling. It’s not very often I don’t talk much.”
Kilkenny House proved to be a fierce contender throughout the four-week poll, finishing in the Top Five every week since New Jersey Monthly launched the poll on February 21. We started with 30 great Irish pubs throughout the Garden State. Each week the pubs with the fewest votes were eliminated until we reached the Final Four. Approximately 33,000 votes were cast over the course of the poll.
In the end, Kilkenny House prevailed. McDonagh’s Pub in Keyport finished in second, St. Stephen’s Green Publick House in Spring Lake placed third and McGovern’s Tavern in Newark rounded out the top four.
Congratulations to Kilkenny House, and thanks to all the voters who participated in the poll!