Plea to save 'community centre' rural pubs

Struggling rural pubs in danger of closing must be kept open in order to avoid irreparable damage to communities across county Cork.

That’s according to Fine Gael Cllr Brendan McCarthy who said small rural pubs operating at a loss for most of the year play a huge role in their local communities.

Cllr McCarthy called on Cork County Council’s executive to write a letter to the Minister for Rural and Community Development, Dara Calleary TD asking him to recognise the vital role of rural pubs and to consider a rebate scheme or taxation incentive to encourage them to remain open.

In his motion, Mr McCarthy said rural pubs play the role of “community centres” in remote areas and provide a vital social space for people otherwise cut off from one another.

“This motion is not about selling more drink or promoting alcohol in any way,” said Cllr McCarthy.

“When these pubs close, many of the customers don't come out anymore.

“They are the place where cards are played midweek, where dance classes happen, where community organisations hold their meetings, where music is put on at weekends for social dancing,” he added.

Cllr McCarthy’s motion follows a recent call from the Vintners Federation of Ireland (VFI) for a 40% rebate on the excise charged to draught products sold in pubs. The VFI said the rebate would help protect rural pubs that play a vital social role in their local communities, while also preserving employment in a sector struggling with soaring costs.

VFI CEO Pat Crotty said: “Rural pubs are facing an existential crisis. We have seen hundreds of pubs close their doors in recent years. If this trend continues, we will lose a vital part of Irish culture and community life.”

Ireland currently has the second-highest excise rate on alcohol in Europe, with taxes accounting for nearly 30% of the price of a pint. According to the VFI, the current tax burden is unsustainable and is placing severe financial pressure on publicans, particularly in rural areas.

In 2022, the first ever EU-wide survey on loneliness was carried out by the European Commission. It found that loneliness was most prevalent in Ireland with over 20% of respondents reporting feeling lonely, well above the average of 13% across the continent.

Cllr McCarthy continued: “Ireland is the loneliest nation in Europe.

“People living in remote areas might not see too many people from one end of the week to the next. They gather in their local rural pub to meet people and to have a chat.

“This is so important for them,” he added.

Independent Ireland councillor and VFI member John Collins was in full support of Cllr McCarthy’s motion but described previous efforts to approach ministers on the issue had proved to be “a waste of time”.

Cllr Collins said: “It’s something similar to rural post offices; I believe that the Government would really like to see the back of most of these things.

“I remember when I came to Bandon there were 37 pubs – It's down to 13.

“Unfortunately, that's the way it's going and that's because of a lack of support from different ministers down through the years,” he added.

Cllr McCarthy’s motion was passed and a letter will be written to Calleary outlining his requests.