Publican has profits to burn after turf-for-drink exchange raises spirits

Pints were flowing in exchange for turf as a rural pub owner attempted to combat austerity.

Locals in the only pub in Keash, outside Ballymote, Co Sligo, got their pints and spirits for a bag of turf on Saturday night. A four- stone bag of good turf sells in the area for about €4.

Patrick Ward, owner of the Fox’s Den, reckoned his night of swapping pints for turf was good business. His pint sells at €3.90, so he had an average profit of 10 cent a drink and he doesn’t have to pay to stock up with fuel to keep his two bar fires burning this winter.