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05 Sept 2025
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05 Sept 2025
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The number of pubs operating within County Kildare continues to decrease.
Since 2005, some 22 premises have closed their doors.
And two of these closures have taken place since 2019.
The rate of decline is slower than other more rural counties - but industry figures show that there have been more than 1,900 (1,937) closures across the country.
According to the Drinks Industry Group of Ireland, which represents the sector in Ireland, an average of 114 pubs a year are closing their doors across the country, rising to 152 per year since 2019, with a “disproportionate impact in more rural areas.”
Over 450 pubs nationally have closed in the period since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic with the greatest decreases seen in more rural parts of the country compared with Dublin.
Analysis also established that the rate of closures has accelerated in the aftermath of Covid-19, with 349 pubs closing in 2020 and 2021.
Although all 26 counties experienced a decline in the number of public houses during the 2005 to 2022 period, the lowest decrease was in Dublin at 3.4%.
The largest decrease was seen in Limerick with 32% less pubs in the county since 2005. Roscommon (30.3%), Cork (29.9%) and Laois (29.9%) saw the next largest decreases.
A further eight counties all showed the closure of more than a quarter (25%) in the number of pubs: Offaly (28.7%), Leitrim (28.6%), Tipperary (28.6%), Mayo (27.8%), Longford (26.5%), Donegal (26.3%), Clare (25.7%) and Waterford (25.4%).
DIGI says the data shows the number of closures disproportionately impacts more regional counties and areas outside of urban centres – such as Dublin and the immediate surrounding counties.
It also says 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,” said DIGI chair Kathryn D’Arcy
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