A pub in Dublin has reopened under new ownership with a striking resemblance to one of London’s most famous boozers.
Ashton’s, in Clonskeagh, appears to have been modelled remarkably closely on the Devonshire, the pub just off Piccadilly Circus.
Similarities between the two include the fonts used for branding, the handwritten menus and the table layouts, which include a sheet of brown protective paper over white tablecloths. Like the Devonshire, Ashton’s has made a feature of mismatched, sterling silver salt and pepper pots. The two pubs also use the same brand of water glasses. One advantage the Irish pub has over its London counterpart, however, is its addition of bread knives.
The Dublin operation’s paintwork also appears to be curiously alike to that in Devonshire, with very similar colours throughout the pubs — the burgundy stairwell in particular — while Ashton’s also appears to have a “green room”, kitted out for live music. The Devonshire holds regular live music nights in its back room. Both rooms have a black and white photo of Thin Lizzy singer and bassist Phil Lynott on the wall.
Menus are also interchangeable, by virtue of both serving pub classics. Neither pub can claim ownership over scallops and bacon, duck fat chips or sticky toffee pudding. Likewise, that Ashton’s serves its steaks in silver serving dishes, or advertises its wood-fired grill — just as the Devonshire does — is unremarkable.
More unusual is the set menu, which at Ashton’s is two courses for €26 or three for €32; the Devonshire’s is two for £25 or three for £29. The Ashton’s set menu offers the choice of a prawn cocktail in Marie Rose sauce or leek and potato soup to start, skirt steak as a main, and either sticky toffee pudding or panna cotta for pudding. At the Devonshire, the offer is a prawn and langoustine cocktail in Marie Rose sauce to start, skirt steak as a main, and sticky toffee pudding to finish. Ashton’s menu runs until 5pm, whereas the Devonshire offer it throughout the day.
On its website, Ashton’s calls itself a restaurant and public house; the Devonshire calls itself a public house and restaurant.
The Devonshire opened in late 2023, with the owners at the time saying it was expressly not an Irish pub, an idea that now appears to hold a certain irony. Since its launch, it has proved one of London’s most successful operations. It is thought to pour the most Guinness in Britain, and its turnover is believed to be one of the highest in the country. There has been an Ashton’s in Dublin for many years, though reopened last year with its new look and menu under the new ownership of Donegal businessman Paddy Doherty.
Speaking to the Standard, the Devonshire’s co-owner Oisin Rogers said: “We're considering it a homage for the moment, and I think it's important to say we don't have anything to do with it. I think it’s supposed to be highest form of flattery or whatever or something…
“We were a little surprised to see such a familiar looking setup, but as long as everyone is clear it has nothing to do with us we wish them all the best. Flattering to have a tribute act out there.”
Ashton’s is not the only pub that bears a striking resemblance to the Devonshire. For his music video Old Phone, Ed Sheeran built a fully-functioning pub that is a tribute to the venue on the border of Soho.
The Standard understands the Devonshire team is set to visit Ashton’s in the near future.
Ashton’s has been approached by the Standard for comment.
