Ireland still third in world for number of bars per head

IRELAND still ranks third highest in the world for the number of pubs per head, despite recent record closures.

The figures from a new health report also show that people aged 15 years and over in the country in 2023 drank 9.9 litres of pure alcohol a year.

That is the equivalent of 37 bottles of vodka (70cl), 104 bottles of wine, or 400 pints of beer. The study from the Health Research Board, which is published today, warned that alcohol is still Ireland’s number one substance abuse.

The Irish Mirror reported last August that almost 2,000 pubs have closed nationwide since 2005.

A HRB spokesperson said: “Despite a decline in pubs, Ireland still ranks third highest in the world for the number of pubs per head.

“And three in four people live within walking distance of a premises licensed to sell alcohol.

“It also highlights that the decline in the number of pubs is matched by an increase in off licences.”

Previous Drinks Industry Group of Ireland analysis showed Irish pub decline has reached 22.5% (1,937) since 2005.

An average of 114 pubs a year were closing their doors across the country up until the Covid-19 pandemic, when the closure rate soared to 152% a year.

HRB report author Anne Doyle said yesterday: “Using geospatial analysis, we also found there is a greater density of licenced premises in deprived communities.

“This is significant because evidence shows that people in deprived areas are more likely to experience alcohol-related harms, despite consumption being lower or equal to affluent areas.”