110 compete for Ireland’s best snug
A total of 110 pubs have been short-listed around the country in the Powers Whiskey Best Snug competition.
Voting in this nationwide search to find Ireland’s best snug takes place throughout this month. Everyone who casts a vote will be in with a chance to win the trip of a lifetime to Banff in the Rocky Mountains.
The overall winner will be announced on November 18th.
In a survey conducted by Powers Whiskey to mark its nationwide search, 78 per cent of respondents cite ‘reunion with old’ friends’ as their most memorable experience in a snug with just three per cent referring to a business deal.
"The snug is an authentic part of the Irish pub and judging from our survey, it seems today’s snug is qualified by its comfort, cosy atmosphere and the enjoyment of good company and conversation," commented Powers Brand Manager Suzanne Lawlor, “With 72 per cent of respondents associating the snug with whiskey, this nationwide search is a perfect fit for Powers Gold Label Irish Whiskey”.
Other feedback from the survey reveals that the majority of first memories of snugs were with family and friends and times of great craic, chat and sing-songs.
Others recall sporting memories including Sunday match days and the World Cup quarter finals in 1990.
Snugs also featured in many coming-of-age stories and memories of having a first drink with fathers and grandfathers.
When asked about their ideal snug, respondents to the survey opted for a roomier version of the original with 66 per cent suggesting space for up to 10 people as the perfect size. 73 per cent requested low lighting in their list of criteria with almost the same number opting for a snug made from wood.
Of those surveyed, only a third specified a door access, one of the original criteria of a snug.
Powers search is timely in that 81 per cent of those surveyed associate snugs with Winter with 43 per cent citing Christmas as the ‘snug occasion’.
The Powers survey results also suggest that the Irish pub snug is regarded as an inspirational space through it’s association with many literary greats such as Yeats who was well-known to frequent the snug in Toners of Baggot Street in Dublin.
Public voting is accepted via text to 51444 or online at www.powerswhiskey.ie where the 100 short-listed snugs are available.
