CO MONAGHAN PUBS IN DECLINE – NEW REPORT REVEALS PANDEMIC IMPACT ON SECTOR

The number of pubs in Co Monaghan has reduced by 19.8% between 2005 and 2021, with the extended closure periods during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic period having a significant impact on the sector, a new report has revealed. The analysis by the Drinks Industry Group of Ireland shows that 24 pubs in Co Monaghan closed during the period under review.

There are now 1,829 less pubs in Ireland that there were in 2005, and 349 licensed premises shut during the Covid period. The drinks group has made a pre-Budget call on the Government to ease the cost burden on rural drinks businesses to ensure their sustainability. They want a reduction in Ireland’s high alcohol excise tax over the next two years.

The Irish Pub: Stopping the Decline report was based on the group’s analysis of Revenue license data and an economic and social analysis by Dublin City University (DCU) economist Anthony Foley. All 26 counties experienced declines in pub numbers through the 16-year period. The largest decrease was seen in Laois with 30.6% less pubs since 2005. This was the only county with a decrease of 30% or more.

The lowest decrease was in Meath with 1.4% less. Meath was followed by Dublin, reporting a decrease of only 4.3%. All the remaining 23 counties had decreases greater than 10%. Three counties, Carlow (10.4%), Kildare (13.6%), and Wicklow (10.1%) showed decreases between 10% and 14.9% and, five counties, Cavan (17.2%), Kerry (15.3), Kilkenny (18.1%), Monaghan (19.8%), and Wexford…