More than 2,100 pubs have closed across Ireland since 2005. The number of publican licences fell by nearly 25pc from 2005 to 2024, down from 8,617 to 6,498.
The study by Anthony Foley of DCU, commissioned by the Drinks Industry Group of Ireland (DIGI), found that an average of 112 pubs stopped trading every year over the last 20 years. County Limerick experiencing the highest pub decrease at 37.2pc, followed by Co Offaly at 34.1pc and Co Cork at 32.7pc. Lowest decrease was in Dublin at 1.7pc, followed by Co Meath at 9.5pc, and Co Wicklow at 10.8pc.
The DIGI has urged the Government to cut excise duty by 10pc to prevent further closures.
Anthony Foley shared “a pattern of pub closures across Ireland, particularly in rural Ireland in recent years. We are likely to see a further 600 to 1,000 pubs close over the coming decade.”
Donall O’Keeffe of the Licensed Vintners Association shared, “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. The Government could improve commercial viability overnight by cutting excise by 10pc.”
