OVER 2,100 pubs have shut their doors permanently in the past 20 years, according to a shock new report.
One in four have closed down since 2005 as the industry continues to go through a devastating decline.
The study, commissioned by the Drinks Industry Group of Ireland, found that a massive 2,119 have pulled their final pints in that period.
Compiled by Economist and Associate Professor Emeritus at DCU, Professor Anthony Foley, the research found that an average of 112 pubs stopped trading every year, with a further 600 to 1,000 closures estimated over the next decade.
All 26 counties experienced declines in pub numbers between 2005 and 2024.
The highest decrease was in Limerick, which has seen the numbers fall by 37.2 per cent, followed by Offaly at 34.1 per cent, Cork pub numbers have slumped by 32.7 per cent, Roscommon is down 32.3 per cent, Tipperary fallen by 32 per cent, Laois by 30.6 per cent, Longford by 30.1 per cent and Westmeath by 30 per cent.
The lowest decrease was in Dublin where they were down 1.7 per cent, followed by Meath with a fall of 9.5 per cent.
Wicklow had a decrease of 10.8 per cent and all other counties saw a 13 per cent or greater decrease.
DIGI said the high cost of doing business was a major factor to the alarming rate of closures recorded by the report.
The group pleaded with the Government for help, warning that many villages and small towns will lose their remaining pubs, dealing a “devastating blow to the economic and social fabric of that community”.
DIGI has urged the policy makers to use the upcoming Budget to introduce a 10 per cent cut in excise, which currently stands as the second highest in the European Union.
Commenting on the report, Professor Foley said: “This report reveals a pattern of pub closures across Ireland, particularly in rural Ireland in recent years.
“The addition of profound economic uncertainty through US trade tariffs and reduced levels of inbound tourism further threaten the financial foundations of family-owned pubs across the country.
“In the absence of government intervention, we are likely to see a further 600 to 1,000 pubs close over the coming decade.”
‘ACT BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE’
DIGI secretary Donall O’Keeffe, who is also the CEO of the Licensed Vintner’s Federation warned that the high VAT was also crippling pubs and urged the Government to act now.
He said: “More than 100 pubs are closing every year in Ireland, due in large part to the high costs imposed by the State.
“Without immediate intervention, up to 1,000 more pubs will close for the last time, leaving their communities without a vital community and tourism hub. Once closed, such pubs rarely re-open.
“The Government could improve commercial viability overnight by cutting excise by 10 per cent.
“With Irish consumption of alcohol having fallen to average EU levels, and likely to continue dropping, it is no longer justifiable that pubs should be faced with the second-highest excise rates in Europe.
“This is on top of a hefty 23 per cent VAT rate. The time for the Government to act is now before it is too late.”
All 26 counties experienced declines in pub numbers between 2005 and 2024[/caption]
