Cork pubs closing at alarming rate
Half of the pubs that closed their doors permanently in Ireland last year were in Cork according to new data.
A new report from the Drinks Industry Group of Ireland (DIGI) shows that 108 pubs closed across the country in 2022, with Cork accounting for 54.
The report comes as the sector calls on the Government to ease the cost burden on regional small and family-run businesses by reducing Ireland’s high alcohol excise tax over the next two years.
The Irish Pub: Supporting our communities report shows that since 2005, almost 2,000 pubs have closed nationwide, 365 of which were in Cork.
This decline, which has increased significantly since Covid-19, represents the closure of 1,937 small and family-run Irish businesses, sparking concern for the future sustainability of many other businesses in the industry.
Although all 26 counties experienced a decline in the number of public houses during the 2005 to 2022 period, the lowest decrease was in Dublin at 3.4%.
The largest decrease was seen in Limerick with 32% less pubs in the county since 2005, followed by Roscommon with 30.3% less pubs, and Cork with 29.9% less pubs.
According to economist Anthony Foley, if Ireland is to challenge the trend of pub decline, factors which influence the viability of the businesses must be looked at, particularly those costs over which the Government has direct control.
“Excise duty is one such cost. Addressing the excessively high excise duty in Ireland compared to other countries would have a positive effect on the viability of small pubs,” he said.
Mr Foley’s analysis of the report also cites the significance of pubs to Irish tourism, something he said is most notable in more rural counties including Kerry (with 413 pubs), Cork (856), Donegal (334), Mayo (337), and Leitrim (100).
Mr Foley said: “There are many reasons for the decline in the number of public houses in Ireland, economic and social. The cause and impact of these closures requires full consideration given the knock-on impact it has on the fabric of local communities as social outlets.”
Kathryn D’Arcy, Chair of DIGI and Communications and Corporate Affairs Director at Irish Distillers, described the report as painting a “stark picture of a sector that is fighting against continued decline”.
“Ireland’s excise on spirits is the third highest in Europe, our excise on wine is the highest in Europe, and our excise on beer is the second highest in Europe,” said Ms D’Arcy.
“We have some of the highest excise duties in the world and the second highest in Europe overall, despite the industry being at the heart of Ireland’s tourism sector and its international reputation as a vibrant destination,” she added.
According to Ms D’Arcy, the majority of the pubs cited in the report which have closed represent the closure of a small or family-run business, the loss of a livelihood, and the disappearance of a high-street landmark.
“We must create a sustainable operating environment for the sector and particularly those in more rural parts of the country who are being disproportionately impacted by Government policy,” she said.