New research reveals number of pubs in Offaly
THE number of pubs in Offaly fell by 29% between 2005 and 2022 with the closure of 47 premises across the county.
Eighteen years ago there were 164 pubs in Offaly but last year there were just 117, a decline which is the fifth steepest in the country.
Figures from the Drinks Industry Group of Ireland (DIGI) based on an analysis by Anthony Foley from the DCU business school, detail the fall in Offaly pub numbers in recent years.
In 2019 there were 128, in 2020 that decreased to 119 and by 2021 the number was 115. However, last year two were added, resulting in the 117 latest figure.
The 2022 figures are from last September's Revenue licence data.
Despite the significant slippage, Offaly still has more pubs than Laois, which had 110 last year compared to 157 in 2005.
However, Westmeath has 160 pubs, a drop from 213 eighteen years ago.
Between 2005 and 2022, the 10 counties which suffered the largest percentage reduction in the number of pubs were: Limerick (32%), Roscommon (30.3%), Cork (29.9%), Laois (29.9%), Offaly (28.7%), Leitrim (28.6%), Tipperary (28.6%), Mayo (27.8%), Longford (26.5%) and Donegal (26.3%).
While all 26 counties experienced declines in public house numbers during this period, the lowest decrease was in Dublin at 3.4%.
The analysis shows the rate of decline in rural pubs has accelerated since Covid-19.
Commenting, Kathryn D’Arcy, chair of DIGI and communications and corporate affairs director at Irish Distillers said: “The analysis in this report paints a stark picture of a sector that is fighting against continued decline due to a number of significant external pressures – many of which are outside of our control.
“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. 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.
“The majority of the almost 2,000 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.
“To address this challenge, DIGI are calling on Government to deliver a reduction in Ireland’s extremely high excise duties which would make an immediate, positive difference to the hundreds of small businesses in our sector struggling to stay open.”
DCU's Anthony 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. The loss of hundreds of these local businesses, employers, purchasers and community hubs has repercussions, particularly in more rural communities across the country.
“The Irish pub is a significant component of the tourism infrastructure and the tourism experience which is based on hospitality and service provision. There are now 1,937 less locations for visitors to find and benefit from services such as food and entertainment.
“If we are to challenge this trend, we must look at factors which influence the viability of these businesses, 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.”