Ireland Has 1,400 Fewer Pubs Now Than It Did In 2005

There seems to be a new bar opening up every other day at the moment, or at least that’s what it feels like. But the number of pubs in Ireland has actually dropped by a massive 1,477 over the past 12 years, according to a new survey.

The Drinks Industry Group of Ireland (DIGI)’s latest figures noted there’s been a drop in pubs from 8,617 to 7,140 across the country. They're based on all available stats about the number of seven-day liquor licences, which date back as far as 2005.

And despite plenty of new spots opening up in Dublin recently, rural Ireland’s numbers have been suffering - they’ve got almost 20% less pubs now compared to 2005.

Cork has been hardest hit of all, with 25% less pubs in the county now, down to 915 in total.

Meanwhile, Dublin, Meath and Wexford have all seen the smallest decline – and Dublin has actually seen a 4.3 per cent rise in its number of bars since 2012.

DIGI is now calling on the government to lower alcohol tax in order to boost the hospitality industry – time to get down to the pub and support your local.

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