Last orders: almost 350 pubs have closed since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic

350 pubs nationwide have closed since Covid-19 struck. 37 in Cork and 33 in both Donegal and Dublin.

Nearly 350 pubs nationwide have closed since the Covid-19 pandemic struck, according to figures released on licence renewals by the Revenue Commissioners.

Both the Vintners’ Federation of Ireland (VFI) and Licenced Vintners’ Association (LVA) said the 5% drop in pub licence renewals is a dramatic escalation in the crisis faced by pub owners, coming just before the government decides whether to remove all remaining Covid restrictions currently operated by the trade.