58 less pubs in county since 2005
There has been a significant decrease in the amount of pubs in County Roscommon since 2005, with figures revealing a startling 22.8 per cent decline.
In Roscommon, the pub population has 58 less pubs since 2005 while the drinks and hospitality sector enable 1,019 jobs and €43 million in tourism spend in the Roscommon-Galway constituency.
Drinks Industry Group of Ireland analysis shows nearly 20% of (1,535) rural pubs closed between 2005 and 2018, compared to just 1% in Dublin. Revenue figures show the rural pub population declined by almost a quarter in Roscommon, along with Tipperary (-22.5%), Mayo (-21%) and Cork (-25.6%) in the same period
In light of these statistics, DIGI is calling on Government to ease burden on rural drinks businesses by reducing Ireland’s high alcohol excise tax over the next two years
Ireland has the second-highest overall alcohol excise tax in the EU, the highest excise tax on wine, the second highest on beer, and the third highest on spirits
The figure is a stark reminder of the pub’s continued decline in rural Ireland. In the period between 2005 and 2018, 1,535 or nearly 20% of rural pubs closed; many were forced to shut up shop during the recession.
The high cost of alcohol excise tax remains a source of significant concern for rural publicans and, indeed, hoteliers, restauranteurs, off-licence owners, and other drinks and hospitality business proprietors. Ireland has the second-highest overall alcohol excise tax in the EU, the highest excise tax on wine, the second highest on beer, and the third highest on spirits.
