Over 2,000 pubs have closed in Ireland since 2005, new report shows

Simon Kelly

Last orders.

A new report has revealed that over 2,000 pubs in Ireland have closed since 2005, a national decline of 22.5%.

The report, carried out by the Drinks Industry Group of Ireland (DIGI), has shown that the rate of decline in pubs across the country has been accelerated since Covid, with over 450 establishments closing since the start of the pandemic.

The report shows that 108 pubs closed during last year alone, with the yearly average since 2019 being 152, rising from 114 previously.

A key point in the report is that rural pubs outside of main cities are being disproportionally affected by closures.

Digging down into a county-by-county basis, the report shows that Limerick was the county with the highest decline in pubs, with 32% less than it had in 2005.

Roscommon (30.3%), Cork (29.9%) and Laois (29.9%) have the next largest decreases, with a further eight counties, Offaly, Leitrim, Tipperary, Mayo, Longford, Donegal, Clare and Waterford, all showing the closure of more than a quarter in the number of pubs

Dublin has remained fairly resolute in comparison, with just a 3.4% decrease in pubs within the time period.

Ireland needs “sustainable operating environment” for pubs to flourish

In a statement following the report, Kathryn D’Arcy, Chair of DIGI and Communications and Corporate Affairs Director at Irish Distillers said efforts need to be made to make a more “sustainable operating environment”, highlighting Ireland’s high excise duties on alcohol.

“To address this challenge, DIGI are calling on Government to deliver a reduction in Ireland’s extremely high excise duties which would make an immediate, positive difference to the hundreds of small businesses in our sector struggling to stay open.”

Also commenting on the report was Economist and Associate Professor at DCU Anthony Foley, who said that the decline of pubs is having a major knock-on effect, especially in rural Ireland.

“There are many reasons for the decline in the number of public houses in Ireland, economic and social. The cause and impact of these closures requires full consideration given the knock-on impact it has on the fabric of local communities as social outlets. The loss of hundreds of these local businesses, employers, purchasers and community hubs has repercussions, particularly in more rural communities across the country.

“The Irish pub is a significant component of the tourism infrastructure and the tourism experience which is based on hospitality and service provision. There are now 1,937 less locations for visitors to find and benefit from services such as food and entertainment.

“If we are to challenge this trend, we must look at factors which influence the viability of these businesses, particularly those costs over which the government has direct control. Excise duty is one such cost. Addressing the excessively high excise duty in Ireland compared to other countries would have a positive effect on the viability of small pubs.”