Bar • Food • Live Music • Beer Garden • Private Parties • Dog Friendly

Welcome to

East Cork’s

favourite pub

Where every pint tells a story

The Blackbird is a charming traditional Irish pub in the picturesque fishing village of Ballycotton, East Cork. Renowned for live music, craft beers, an extensive whiskey and gin collection, and hand-made locally sourced food from The TrawlerBoyz in our Field Kitchen. Whether you're dropping in after a walk on the cliffs, celebrating a special occasion, or looking for the perfect event venue, The Blackbird is the place for craic in East Cork.

Upcoming Events

Upcoming events, music & sport at the blackbird

New events coming soon.

Not sure which room?

Find your perfect space

Answer two quick questions and we'll point you in the right direction.

How many guests are you expecting?


We recommend

The Music Room

Live music with Duffy every weekend. Great tunes, cold pints, and a warm atmosphere perfect for relaxing with friends.

Our Rooms

From the fireside warmth of the Main Bar to the arched Music Room, the covered Beer Garden and the beautifully restored Ruin Room, every space at The Blackbird has its own story.

Music Room

Capacity: Room capacities to be discussed on enquiry
Music Room

Arched roofed space perfect for live performances and private events.

View Details

Beer Garden

Capacity: Room capacities to be discussed on enquiry
Beer Garden

All-weather covered garden — the Blackbird’s social heart.

View Details

Ruin Room

Capacity: Room capacities to be discussed on enquiry
Ruin Room

Beautifully restored heritage space with exposed stone walls.

View Details

Main Bar

Capacity: Room capacities to be discussed on enquiry
Main Bar

Fireside warmth, craft beers, and the best craic in East Cork.

View Details

Trawler Boyz · The Field Kitchen

Fresh Flavours, Done Right

Hand-made food from locally sourced ingredients. Specialising in Ballycotton seafood and seasonal dishes — simple, delicious, and always worth staying for.

Have a nice cold pint after walking the cliffs. You've earned it.

Thu–Fri

4:30–8:30pm

Saturday

1–8:30pm

Sunday

1–7:30pm

Events & Occasions

A space for every celebration

Whatever the occasion, The Blackbird offers the perfect backdrop. Flexible spaces tailored to make your event unforgettable.

Private Hire

Whatever the occasion, The Blackbird offers the perfect backdrop. Flexible spaces tailored to make your event unforgettable.

Weddings

East Cork's favourite wedding celebration venue.

Fundraising

Supporting the community with flexible charity nights.

Christmas Parties

Festive craic in a cosy traditional fishing village pub.Festive craic in a cosy traditional fishing village pub.

Event enquiries welcome — packages from €15pp

Gallery

Blackbird Gallery

Discover the atmosphere of The Blackbird Ballycotton through our gallery, where great food, memorable gatherings, and coastal charm come together.


Real moments · #BlackbirdBallycotton

Moments from Blackbird

Testimonials

What Client Say About us

Shauna Foran profile picture
Shauna Foran
2 months ago
Food is always 10/10
Kari Fuge profile picture
Kari Fuge
2 months ago
One of our most favorite pubs!
John Macfarlane profile picture
John Macfarlane
2 months ago
Dog friendly with great food from Trawler Boyz out the back. Fab courtyard out the back. Good for live music 🎶 too.
Antoinette profile picture
Antoinette
4 months ago
We had our Day Two in the The Blackbird in April, and from day one Mossie couldn’t have been more helpful. He assisted us in finding a musician and even provided a contact number for transport from the hotel for our guests.

The setup was excellent, with plenty of space for everyone. Claire, who was performing, was fantastic, and the food from Trawler Boyz was amazing, everyone loved it. The staff on the night were also so helpful and friendly, which made the whole experience even better.

I would highly recommend the pub to anyone planning a celebration. Thanks again!
Wayne Bayman profile picture
Wayne Bayman
5 months ago
The Blackbird and Trawler boys is a great place. Well priced pints and the best chowder in Cork. I'd say very nearly the best chowder in Munster. The food prices in Trawler boys are reasonable too. Costs are kept low by you ordering your own food.
Kathleen Nairn profile picture
Kathleen Nairn
1 year ago
'Walking into this Bar is an experience worth doing...as you enter the door it was buzzing, immediately you get a sense of energy and fun. On a Saturday evening we enjoyed singers in the front bar, as you wind your way through the different areas you experience exciting atmospheres. We got a table further back in the extended area out the back but still the atmosphere was brilliant. We ate here also and everyone was delighted with their choices. We would definitely recommend The Blackbird Bar so much that we returned every night of stay in Ballycotton.....Enjoy'
Kevin Byrne profile picture
Kevin Byrne
2 years ago
I had a great time at The Blackbird Bar. It was my first time there and to be honest, I didn't expect it to be so authentic, warm and welcoming, from the exterior, but it was! The inside is full of recesses and cubby holes. The lighting is just right, with numerous candles spread throughout, and the venue is ideal for music in my opinion. Spending an evening here over a pint, eating a bite of food, and listening to music would be therapy in and of itself.
The owner, Mossy, was particularly welcoming and even though the bar was busy, he took his time to have an unhurried chat. The food was excellent. I tried a scampi and chips and I have to say that the chips were absolutely perfect, like the chips of old thick-cut and tasting of real high quality potato. Coffee came served with a little snack bar which was a nice touch. I wish it was closer to Cork but I will definitely be back.
Ken Blackmore profile picture
Ken Blackmore
3 years ago
Lovely spot for a pint after a cliff walk. Yummy nosh too, chicken burgers/fish n chips and chowder went down a treat. Dog friendly too if you have the pooch.

Questions? We've Got You

The bits and pieces worth knowing before you drop in. Anything else, just ask, the team's always around for a chat

How far in advance should I book a private event?

This depends on availability. To avoid disappointment, we recommend contacting us as early as possible. However, last-minute availability is always worth checking too.

Visit our Party Rooms page to view the recommended maximum capacity for each room.

Absolutely. Trawler Boyz manage our Field Kitchen and can offer flexible menu options to suit a variety of tastes and event requirements.

There is no on-site parking at The Blackbird, as we are located on Main Street in Ballycotton. Public parking is available near the playground and the Catholic church, with additional street parking available locally.

Yes, The Blackbird is a wheelchair-accessible venue.

Yes, you are welcome to arrange your own DJ or band. Our manager, Mossie, is also very well connected and can provide live-music recommendations if required.

Yes! Well-behaved dogs on leads are very welcome in our Beer Garden. We also provide water bowls.