Official license data reveals that between 2005 and 2025, Ireland lost 2,205 public houses, representing a net reduction of 25.6%. Essentially, one out of every four pubs operating twenty years ago has permanently shuttered, falling at a steady pace of 110 closures on average per year.

The crisis is worst outside our capital. Nine individual counties have endured severe losses exceeding 30%, led by Limerick with a staggering 40.2% drop, followed by Offaly (34.1%), Monaghan (33.9%), Tipperary (33.5%), and Cork (32.8%).