A FIVER FOR A PINT IS NO CLON
Publican keeps low-price pledge
A PUBLICAN has stuck to his word and kept the price of a Guinness at €5 a year after making the pledge.
Bernard Farrell, who runs the Clonliffe House in Ballybough, North Dublin, with his wife Pamela and son Darren, has absorbed the additional costs over the last 12 months as a way to give back to his loyal customers.
Pint of plain lovers were left feeling short changed last year after Guinness owner Diageo increased charges twice in a matter of months.
Bernard made the promise not to hike the price last February and didn’t budge when the second increase came into force in August.
The popular bar, which is located just minutes from the GAA’S HQ Croke Park, is regularly thronged with supporters on match days and Bernard reckons Dublin fans are the biggest lovers of the black stuff.
Speaking to the Irish Mirror, the publican said: “We stuck to our word and the price of a Guinness is still €5.
“I can’t believe how quickly the year flew in.
“We kept it 100% and it’s still a fiver. The locals are very pleased with it.
“We wanted to give back to the community who support us. It’s a very community bar. We know all our clients even on a busy match day at Croke Park.”
The pint-puller admitted it’s increasingly difficult to keep his prices the same but vowed he’ll do it for as long as possible.
Bernard explained: “It’s very, very tough to keep it at a fiver but I made a commitment and I’ve stuck to it.
“Without a doubt, we’re taking a hit on the Guinness.
“I said it last year, I wasn’t happy when Diageo introduced two price hikes very close together.
“We’ll do it for as long as we can. We are under pressure keeping it there but we’re trying our best.
“I can’t give you a timeframe on how long it will stay at the price. I wasn’t able to give a timeframe last year either but fast forward 12 months and the price remains the same.
“We made the decision last year and we stuck to it, but I can’t stand up and I say I will be able to do it forever. Make no mistake, we still have a lot of overheads.”
Diageo cited rising business costs for the increases but Bernard said there should now be a reduction after energy prices started to fall.
He stressed there are a lot of hidden costs associated with running a business and he constantly has to adapt.
He said: “There is very little that hasn’t gone up.
“You adapt to it and as the year goes by it gets a bit easier but there’s always something that is coming down the road that will put the pressure on.
“There are so many hidden costs associated with running a business that people wouldn’t
It’s tough to keep it €5 but we wanted to give back to the community BERNARD FARRELL PUBLICAN, YESTERDAY
even realise.”
He also said he believes his Guinness is one of the best in Dublin and encourages punters to come and try it.
Bernard added: “It’s up there with the best pints in Dublin.
“Anybody who wants a quality pint of Guinness for €5 should come to the Clonliffe.”