A new report has revealed that over 2,100 pubs have closed across Ireland since 2005, reports RTE.
Commissioned by the Drinks Industry Group of Ireland (DIGI), the study found that an average of 112 pubs have ceased operations each year over the past two decades.
DIGI stated the report found the number of pubs in Ireland continues to fall, with 2,119 – or one in four – shutting down since 2005, reports RTE.
Between 2005 and 2024, the total number of publican licences dropped by nearly 25%, going from 8,617 to 6,498.
The findings were compiled by economist and Associate Professor Emeritus at Dublin City University, Anthony Foley.
The research showed that pub numbers declined in all 26 counties between 2005 and 2024, with the sharpest decreases occurring in rural areas, reports RTE.
County Limerick experienced the largest drop at 37.2%, followed by County Offaly at 34.1%, and County Cork at 32.7%. In contrast, the smallest declines were in Dublin at 1.7%, Meath at 9.5%, and Wicklow at 10.8%.
DIGI cautioned that the study suggests between 600 and 1,000 additional pubs could close in the next ten years, reports RTE.
Professor Foley, the report’s author, said it highlights “a pattern of pub closures across Ireland, particularly in rural Ireland in recent years”.
He added: “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,” reports RTE.
Mr Foley warned that without Government support, “we are likely to see a further 600 to 1,000 pubs close over the coming decade”.
DIGI is urging the Government to reduce excise duty by 10% in the next Budget, reports RTE.
The Licensed Vintners Association Chief Executive and DIGI Secretary said more than 100 pubs are closing annually 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,” Donall O’Keeffe stated, reports RTE.
Mr O’Keeffe said that commercial viability could be improved “overnight” if the Government were to “cut excise by 10%”.
He noted: “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, reports RTE.
“This is on top of a hefty 23% VAT rate.”
DIGI said the report was based on data from the Revenue Commissioners’ register of alcohol licences, with further analysis by the Vintners Federation of Ireland to exclude other licence holders such as hotels, reports RTE.
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