A Co Cavan councillor has voiced his concerns over a new report which highlights the decline of local pubs across the Northern Sound region. The new report from the Drinks Industry Group of Ireland (DIGI) shows that 2,054 pubs have closed down within the past 20 years. According to the report, a drop of 25% was recorded in Monaghan, while 20% of pubs closed in Cavan over the last 20 years.
Cllr Brendan Fay who owns the Widows Bar in Belturbet believes that the industry has faced many challenges since he joined it 25 years ago. With the price of alcohol continuing to rise along with energy bills and other costs, Cllr Fay fears that pubs across the region will continue to face further decline.
"I could tell you five pubs already in Cavan which will be closed by Christmas or early January," he explained. "They're just getting out, they have no interest as it's not the same anymore and the bills are constantly rising. It's alright a publican in Dublin putting up the price of a pint but the bottom line is people won't pay that in rural Ireland because they can't afford to in rural Ireland."
