Quarter of Irish pubs closed since 2005, new report finds

Report shows 2,205 pubs closed since 2005

A new report has found that 2,205 pubs in Ireland, one in four, have closed their doors since 2005. The report, compiled by economist and Associate Professor Emeritus at DCU Anthony Foley for the Drinks Industry Group of Ireland (DIGI), shows that an average of 110 pubs stopped trading every year over the last two decades.

The number of pubs that closed last year was 86, up from 65 in 2024 but down from 117 in 2023, according to the report.

Regional breakdown

The report shows that all 26 southern counties experienced declines in pub numbers over the 2005 to 2025 period. The highest decrease was in Limerick at 37%, followed by Offaly at 34%, Cork at 33%, Roscommon and Tipperary at 32%, Laois at 31%, and Longford and Westmeath at 30%.

The lowest decrease was in Dublin with a drop of 1%, followed by Wicklow with a decrease of 9%. Meath saw an 11% decrease, and all other counties saw a 13% or greater decrease, according to the report.

Another version of the report's findings, reported by ie, gave slightly different figures: over a third of pubs in Offaly closed at 34.1%, 32.7% closed in Cork, Roscommon saw a drop of 32.3%, and 32% closed in Tipperary. Dublin had the lowest closure rate at 1.1%, followed by Wicklow at 9.5%.

Author's warning

Commenting on the report, Prof Foley said: "It is likely that pub closures will continue in the absence of any change in Government policy."

He added: "Even in the absence of additional significant economic shocks, an optimistic scenario would expect about 600 additional closures in the next decade from 2024. More pessimistic expectations would increase the closure level to 1,000."

Prof Foley attributed the closures to high alcohol taxation, rising costs, and changing consumer trends. "The level of alcohol taxation is very high in Ireland, which alongside rising costs and changing consumer trends, reduces the commercial viability of public houses," he said.

Industry calls for excise cut

The report was commissioned by DIGI, which has called for the Government to use the upcoming budget to cut excise on alcohol, which it says is the second highest in the European Union.

DIGI secretary Donall O'Keeffe said: "Without government intervention, this trend will continue and potentially accelerate." He called for a 10% immediate cut in excise duty.