A quarter of Irish pubs have closed in the last 20 years

Over a quarter of Irish pubs have closed their doors since 2005, according to a report by the Drinks Industry Group of Ireland (DIGI).

The research found that from 2005 to 2024, the number of publican licenses went from 8,617 to 6,498, with over 2,100 pubs having closed in total.

DIGI has predicted up to 1,000 pubs to potentially close in the next 10 years.

"We are likely to see a further 600 to 1,000 pubs close over the coming decade," said the report’s author, Professor Foley.

"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."

The report, along with Economist and Associate Professor Emeritus at DCU, Anthony Foley, has found that an average of 112 pubs have stopped trading each year.

The largest rate of closure was in rural countries, with the highest decreases at 37.2% in Co. Limerick, followed by 34.1% in Co. Offaly and 32.7% in Co. Cork.

Limerick has experienced pub numbers dropping from 478 to 300 since 2005.

The lowest decrease was in Co. Dublin at 1.7%, followed by 9.5% in Co. Meath and 10.8% in Co. Wicklow.

DIGI secretary Donall O’Keefe has called on the government to cut excise duty by 10% in the upcoming budget, stating that the Irish consumption of alcohol has fallen to average EU levels, meaning there is no justification for the high rate.

"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.” he said.