The challenges facing Ireland's bars and restaurants are far from over

Covid restrictions have ended but so are business supports, costs are rising and customers have yet to fully return

The Swan Bar on Aungier Street was shuttered during the pandemic lockdowns; owner and operator of The Swan Bar Ronan Lynch said 'it’s crunch time now for all hospitality'. Photo: Eamonn Farrell/RollingNews.ie

Ronan Lynch, owner and operator of Dublin's iconic Swan Bar on Aungier Street, is well used to being around doctors and other healthcare professionals as his pub is a popular haunt for Royal College of Surgeon students (RCSI) and alums.

However, over the last two years he has seen little of his usual punters as they were combating the spread of Covid-19 and, like others in his sector, he had to shutter The Swan due to government pandemic restrictions.