Epping, New Hampshire's Iconic Must-Visit Church-Turned-Irish Pub

For this Irish lassie, if I ever want to go back to the Motherland of the Emerald Isle and roam around on me bike from pub to pub, but don't have the time or inclination to do so, I head over to the Holy Grail.

The amazing church-turned-bar is super easy to get to, right off Exit 7 off of Route 101 in Epping, New Hampshire.

Sometimes, if this is a new place, you might worry about parking, but that isn't a concern at the Grail. They have a big parking lot with plenty of room for all.

In ya come to the big front doors, and immediately, you are transported to that place somewhere deep in your roots of that County Cork pub. You are greeted by a large statue of an Irish Friar on the right.

Sarah Sullivan/Townsquare Media

You can see from the picture above that it's almost impossible not to take a picture with the big fellah.

According to the Holy Grail's website, the old "St. Joseph's Church" was built in 1895-1896, and became a parish only a couple years later.

Fast forward 100 years later to 2008, and the church was converted into a pub by Maureen Kennedy and her family.

When you arrive, it's easy to see that this place was once a church. There's even some stained glass windows!

And be sure to check their website for St. Patrick's Day week offerings, because they usually have special events. Bring on the Guinness.

If you've been paying attention, I haven't mentioned the food at the Holy Grail yet. They have all the Irish fare you would expect; cottage pie, boiled dinner, colcannon, etc. But the food, although comforting and delicious, is not the reason I go to the Grail as frequently as I do.

I go because I love the atmosphere and a specialty drink that I can't (or more likely won't) get anywhere else: The Old Testament. That is Grey Goose Vodka, St. Germaine, and Champagne.

I don't even know what St. Germaine is, but when it's combined with those two ingredients, it's delicious.

Have you ever been to the Holy Grail?