A PAIR of drinks experts and pub campaigners known as ‘The Thinking Drinkers’ are set to visit a number of West Cork pubs on their Mizen to Malin cycle today.

Ben McFarland and Tom Sandham will visit over 40 local Irish pubs in just nine days on their tandem bike ride through eight counties, which is proudly supported by Guinness 0.0 and the Vintners’ Federation of Ireland.

The journey is designed to celebrate and shine a spotlight on the vital role local pubs continue to play in communities across Ireland.

The cyclists will stop off at The Blue Loo in Glengarriff, MacCarthy’s Bar and Twomey’s Ivy Bar in Castletownbere and O’Sheas in Eyeries.

Ben McFarland and Tom Sandham, The Thinking Drinkers, said: ‘We’ve spent years celebrating pubs, but cycling across Ireland feels especially meaningful.

‘The local pub here is more than somewhere to enjoy a drink, it’s often the social heartbeat of the community and one of Ireland’s most important third spaces. It’s where stories are shared, friendships are formed and people come together.’

Speaking about the upcoming visit from The Thinking Drinkers, Chris Harrington from The Blue Loo said: ‘As a fifth-generation family pub, we’ve seen first-hand how important the local pub is in bringing people together. The Blue Loo has always been a place where neighbours meet, visitors are welcomed and stories are shared.

‘While times change, that sense of connection and community remains the same. It’s great to see The Great Irish Pub Ride celebrating the role pubs continue to play in towns and villages right across Ireland.’