Publicans and pubgoers have expressed concern that financial pressures on the pub trade will increase further, putting the social and economic fabric of some communities at risk.

The call comes after the Southern Star revealed two weeks ago that the rate of pub closures in Co. Cork was 20 times that of Dublin since 2005.

After 34 years, The Snug in Bantry just called time on its business after owner Maurice O’Donovan retired, writing in a statement on social media: ‘Maurice O’Donovan who opened this beloved pub with his late wife Colette on October 1st 1991, is retiring after an incredible journey. Maurice extends his heartfelt thanks to every customer, friend, community member and to all those who helped make The Snug the success it is today. The Snug has been a labour of love and your patronage has meant the world.’

Bob Miller, who has lived on the Sheep’s Head peninsula for 23 years, says pub closures had struck a nerve with people in the area, especially in remote communities. Bob’s regular pub is Eileen’s Bar in Kilcrohane where he enjoys the atmosphere and music. The Bay View pub recently went up for sale in the area.

Bob said: ‘It has been so hard for pub owners since COVID. It’s affected them so badly. I don’t have the answers but I know that VAT is such an issue and hopefully that’s something that can be looked at.’

He added that he knew of a number of publicans who needed to work seven days a week to keep their businesses ticking over.

The recent Drinks Industry Group of Ireland report laid bare the heavy toll on Cork’s pub trade, citing soaring VAT and operational costs.

While Dublin has seen almost no change—losing just 13 pubs (1.7%) since 2005—Cork has suffered a staggering 32.7% loss, with 399 pubs closing in the same period.

The rate of closures in Cork worsened around the COVID-19 pandemic, with 88 pubs shutting in five years between 2019 and 2024.

Since 2005, nearly one in four pubs across Ireland closed their doors, a total of 2,100 pubs.

Cllr Danny Collins, chairman of the Bantry Vintners Association, has been running pubs for over 27 years and said pub culture was under threat, mainly because of rising running costs.

Cllr Collins said: ‘When I took the lease of my first bar in 1998 in Bantry there were 16 pubs in the town, all doing a nice business that now has halved with mainly closures. Electricity has risen around 50% since COVID, Sky TV have risen over 40% in the last four years, wages keep rising and then the breweries keep raising the price of the pint, which we have to pass onto the customer.

‘That isn’t fair and now our property rates in Cork County are under review, more than likely to see a rise again’

He added a big problem in some areas was that taxi services did not exist in villages, stopping customers from going to the pub because they would not be able to get home.

A spokesperson for Fáilte Ireland said: ‘Irish pubs are a valued part of Ireland’s hospitality offering and contribute to the character and vibrancy of many communities across the country.

‘They also play a role as local employers and contribute to the social and economic fabric of rural and urban communities alike.’