Over 70 rural pubs closed in 2018, according to industry analysis by the Drinks Industry Group of Ireland (DIGI).

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.

DIGI’s analysis of Revenue figures show the rural pub population declined by almost a quarter in Mayo (-21% or 98 pubs), Tipperary (-22.5% or 118 pubs) and Cork (-25.6% or 313 pubs) down from 1221 to 908 in same period 2005-2018. In contrast, Dublin has experienced a net loss of only 10 pubs since 2005, a 1% decrease.

Well Susan Keogh got the thoughts of our listeners on the future of rural pubs.