FORGET the "plastic Paddy" pubs that have appeared like a rash in high streets throughout the country. This is a real little bit of Ireland smack bang in the middle of Watford.

It is a members club with a public bar and function hall set beside the river Colne in Oxhey Park.

If truth be known, it ain't pretty, but the drink is cheap and the Guinness (£1.80), as you would expect, is to die for.

In fact, some people have been known to fall over, overcome with emotion, at just how good and cheap it is.

There are two big screens and a TV for sport, but don't go there expecting to see Premiership action if it happens to coincide with someone like Cork or Killkenny playing in Ireland. A big sign declares unashamedly "Gaelic sports to be given priority at all times".

The bar boasts a pool table, darts and gaming machines, but most exiles visit the Irish Club to talk a boy, the Irish do like to talk.

There's a good deal of impromptu singing too, and the odd penny whistle makes an appearance.

The bar can get very smoky, but what the heck.

There's live music on Saturdays with a cover charge of £5-ish per person, depending on who is on, some bands fly over from Ireland especially to play.

You don't have to be Irish to use the club.

(I knew I could review Watford Irish Club without mentioning the "craic". Feck, now I've gone and done it!)

|FA