This study was undertaken during the summer of 2014 at the request of the Students Union in response to an application to them with the view to the opening of a bar on campus at Cork Institute of Technology (CIT).

The study reports on the current economic climate and other factors that have contributed to the continuous decline in alcohol sales in the on-trade in Ireland which is the alleged main contributing factor to the changed drinking culture of young Irish people today.

A quantitative approach was applied and the research questionnaire yielded 1,229 responses representing the student body of CIT, both past and present.

The findings of the survey influenced the decision by the Students Union not to pursue the establishment of a campus bar at Cork Institute of Technology in the foreseeable future. This study should be of benefit to the hospitality industry, industry trade associations, such as the Vintners Federation of Ireland.