Pubs are lowering prices to draw the punters in

WHEN it comes to the price of a pint in Ireland, size matters — the smaller, the better.

From Valentia to Malin Head, Carnsore Point to Killybegs, publicans are falling over one another (well, their customers are, anyway) to produce the cheapest tipple in these straitened times.

The battle is on to keep the customers satisfied in the nation’s 5,500 pubs.

So, if you fancy a nationwide pub crawl in search of the cheapest watering hole, you might consider downing your first drink at Punch’s pub in Ballinacurra, Limerick.

Punch’s is sporting the Pensioners’ Pint, offering customers of a certain age their favourite tipple for e3.70, a 40 cent saving on the regular price.

“But if a non-regular comes in and looks like a pensioner, we don’t ask for pension books or anything like that,” says a spokesperson.

“We just give them their pint for e3.70. It’s mostly regulars, anyway.”

But if you happen to be younger in age or want an even better deal, continue your crawl 80km south of Limerick to Tralee where publican Tom Quirke will be happy to serve you your second drink at bargain basement prices.

A pint of stout in his Quirkies Bar in the town centre is just e3. A pint of lager will set you back e3.50, as will a pint of cider.

But for even more outstanding value, crawl further south again, another 80km or so to Cork for drink No. 3.

Niall Kearney, who owns the Bróg pub and nightclub in Oliver Plunkett St in the city centre, will be waiting for you.

So far, no other publican in the south appears to come close to beating his recession buster price tag.

He is offering pints of lager, stout and cider for an amazing e2.90, which is up to e2 a pint cheaper than many other pubs in the city. Vodka or gin with a mixer is the same low price but you have to imbibe between 11.30am and 9pm and if you order a half-pint glass of stout or lager, be prepared to pay ten cents more than the price of a pint.

Like Ryanair’s Michael O’Leary, he believes it is all about bums on seats. “There is no point having high prices and an empty pub. The pricing is working and it’s very successful.”

But, if you can drag yourself away from An Bróg, Ossler’s Bar in Omagh, Co Tyrone may have the cheapest drink of all as it offers a pint of stout for stg£2.15, equating to e2.44.

That, of course, would mean a crawl from Cork to Omagh of more than 380km — thirsty work.

So, if you know of a pub that can beat these prices, send an invitation to sample by email to [e-mail] The drinks are on me!