Challenge for Irish pubs after ‘irreplaceable’ staff lost during pandemic

Kevin Barden sets up an outdoor drinking area at O’Donoghue’s Bar in Dublin (Niall Carson/PA)

A Dublin publican had spoken of the challenge Ireland’s pub industry faces replacing the people skills of staff who have left the trade during the pandemic.

Kevin Barden, whose family owns the traditional Irish music pub O’Donoghue’s, said he has been lucky to welcome back 19 of his 20-strong team after 15 months of closure and he hopes the final one will also return by the end of the summer.