A new report shows a rapid decline in the number of pubs in Ireland, with 2,205 premises – or one-in-four – closing their doors since 2005.

The report, compiled on behalf of the Drinks Industry Group of Ireland (DIGI) by economist Anthony Foley, shows an average of 110 pubs stopped trading every year over the last two decades.

All 26 southern counties experienced a decline in pub numbers between 2005 and 2025.

The highest decrease was in Limerick (-37%), followed by Offaly (-34%), Cork (-33%), Roscommon (-32%), Tipperary (-32%), Laois (-31%), Longford (-30%) and Westmeath (-30%).

The smallest drop was in Dublin at 1%, followed by Wicklow with a decrease of 9%.

Meath had a decrease of 11%, while all other counties saw a 13% or greater decrease.

Eighty-six pubs closed their doors last year according to the report, which was up from 65 the previous year, but down from the 117 which closed in 2023.

The report was commissioned by DIGI, which has called for the Government to use the upcoming budget to cut excise on alcohol which it says is the second highest in the European Union.

A DIGI report in August highlighted that a pint of beer purchased in a pub here attracts an excise duty of €0.55 compared to just €0.05 in Spain and Germany.

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Similarly, a 70cl bottle of whiskey is levied with €11.92 excise in Ireland, compared to €2.69 of excise duty in Spain and €3.65 in Germany.

Commenting on today’s report, Mr Foley said it is “likely that pub closures will continue in the absence of any change in Government policy”.

He added: “Even in the absence of additional significant economic shocks, an optimistic scenario would expect about 600 additional closures in the next decade from 2024.

“More pessimistic expectations would increase the closure level to 1,000.”

DIGI secretary Donall O’Keeffe said there had been a “decimation” in the number of pubs operating in the last 20 yeasr.

“This has been particularly damaging to the social, economic and cultural life of rural Ireland. They are also a huge loss to our tourism offer. Without government intervention, this trend will continue and potentially accelerate.”