Considering the fact that there has been a ceasefire in the "Irish cause" for 20 years, I think your observations might be slightly out of date. I have heard this said about Irish bars in London many times. I lived in the city of London for 15 years including 6 years in Kilburn and visited thousands of times and not once did I see or hear of plates being passed around in Irish bars. In may be something that happens in Irish bars in America but not in London. In any case, The Conny is under new management now. The previous owners left about 9 months ago. There might be a collection for a new teapot for Mrs Doyle from Father Ted. That's about it. They have even done up the bogs. It is a decent old fashioned London Irish boozer and an out and out QPR pub.
APRN? I bought a nice pint of Guinness there last year under the former management, but Finglas wouldn't let me drink though until it had settled! I really enjoyed our post-match celebrations there with great company. Never visited the old bogs, but should have, since I had to take a serious bathroom break at another pub en route back to my hotel. This description really sums up the pub as it was then:- "great local, but don't expect clinical appearance of usual bush pubs. this one's down to earth and it's a hoops pub."
Without having local insight, here's some scoop I located - seems pub is still in business, but a much smaller establishment with cheap beer! The original White Horse definitely saw better days:- White Horse, 31 Uxbridge Road, Shepherds Bush, Hammersmith W12 in 1908 please log in to view this image 2011 - A Tesco store? please log in to view this image http://pubshistory.com/LondonPubs/Hammersmith/WhiteHorse.shtml Now this White Horse located at the same address seems to be in business tough? The White Horse, 31 Uxbridge Road, W12 8LH please log in to view this image A locals' pub, hidden away through a small doorway. It used to be housed in the entire building, but this was latterly converted to a shop (and is now a Tesco). 2009 photo http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:White_Horse,_Shepherds_Bush,_W12_(4230914372).jpg http://www.beerintheevening.com/pubs/s/51/5153/White_Horse/Shepherds_Bush please log in to view this image please log in to view this image http://www.yell.com/biz/the-white-horse-london-5791274/ "The pub's shabby entrance, barely noticeable from the other side of the road, is squeezed between a video shop and a kebab shop. It doesn't look to be the sort of place you would want to visit on the off chance. Then again, the same could really be said for the whole of Shepherd's Bush which resembles the aftermath of a peculiar clash of cultures: West Indian, Palestinian and Irish. I had to pluck up plenty of courage before venturing inside. Once over the threshold, the building appears to fan out. A bar zig-zags its way down the left hand side, a pool table occupies space at the far end and a huge screen showing horse racing forms the main focus of attention for the largely Irish crowd. The whole crowd is yelling at the screen willing their horses to win. I picked my way through this tumult and found a space at the bar to order myself a pint. "That'll be 1.20 luv", said the barmaid. My jaw dropped, 1.20 for a pint of beer in London? Unbelieveable. I took my very cheap pint and sat down at a table and began to notice some other features. A door leads out to a small beer garden at the back, which despite the fine weather, was empty. There are numerous pictures of QPR and Wasps which are a constant reminder of the pub's proximity to Loftus Road. This has to be the cheapest pub in London and it wasn't a bad pint either. It does however feel like a scary place if you don't like horse racing and don't happen to be Irish. I'm still alive though and if I fancy a cheap pint in West London I might be back." "This is very much a local pub for local people. Popular with the QPR fans on match days (Loftus Road is but a stone's throw), the White Horse operates a ban on visiting team fans. This is real rough and ready stuff, most of the clientele have tattoos. Scary ones, not the Chinese symbol kind. My friend likes it though because it's simple and honest and relatively cheap. It also sports a pool table, some gambling machines and a decked beer garden. I'm too terrified of it though and I'd only recommend it to hard nuts (of which I am not one) QPR fans or lovers of those who refuse to acknowledge the onset of the new millennium." "Definitely a football pub. Not a bad place, it has a pool table and the drinks are reasonably priced. Staff and patrons are friendly enough, but with the bar being a little run down, the patrons being quite old Manish, and the place being covered in football insignia, it feels a little threatening. Being a woman, I wouldn't feel comfortable going here alone, and as a non football fan, this place makes me feel quite intimidated. I am sure it's just an impression though, as our visit was quite subdued and not unpleasant. If you like football and old man pubs, give it a go." http://www.randompubfinder.com/Shepherd's Bush_Pubs A few other pubs that have also seen better days:- https://www.flickr.com/groups/deadpubssociety/pool/with/10143268796/lightbox/
cheers Kilburn never knew it used to be so big great little pub(still have my white horse entry card for match days somewhere) not bad kebabs next door either
In the 2011 Tesco photo, now I see the White Horse pub sign just above that parked delivery truck, also the 6:00am - 11:00pm Tesco hours posted. I was a bit confused at first as to how that tiny pub could be at the same location as the original. I wonder back in it's heyday what went on upstairs (room & board?), or during the current Tesco regime? Great location for a quick pint while your wife goes grocery shopping next door at Tesco's. I also love Greek food - greek salad with feta cheese & black olives, pork, chicken and lamb kebabs, pita bread, vine leaves, baklava for dessert. Ditto for spicy Indian food too - lamb vindaloo with biryani rice is one of my favourites, served Nan bread, with some plain yogurt on the side to soothe your fiery palate. You can tell that I haven't eaten supper yet!
