Irish Pub Culture is Dying…
And if that title wouldn’t drive you to drink here the scoop.
James Helm, the Dublin correspondent for the BBC writes:
As a much-loved institution, it’s been imitated around the world, from San Francisco to Sydney, and plenty of places in between. The Irish pub is alive and well.
In Ireland itself, once you have left the cities and headed into the green landscapes and small communities where agriculture is key, it is a different picture.
That trademark Irish venue, the country pub – renowned as a place to chat, have a pint, hear some music and soak up the atmosphere – is facing challenging times.
Recent figures suggest that many rural pubs are shutting their doors, their owners selling up and moving out. One report put the figure at a pub closing every day.
In 2005, almost 440 fewer pub licences were issued. In the year up to November 2006, more than 60 pubs shut down in two of the bigger counties – 20 in Clare, 42 in Cork.
Publicans point to three main factors for dwindling trade in rural areas.
One is the smoking ban which was introduced three years ago. While many, such as health campaigners, view it as a success, many pub owners say it has damaged their trade.
Then there are new drink-driving laws. Random breath tests were introduced last year, allowing police to stop drivers at their discretion. Publicans are keen to stress that they do not object to tighter drink-driving rules, and certainly do not condone driving under the influence.
Smoking was banned at pubs in the Irish Republic in 2004
But the new rule, they say, has meant fewer people going to the pub in remote areas, especially during the week.
Finally, habits are changing. Much of the evidence here may be anecdotal, but it seems more young people are either buying alcohol at the off licence, or heading to the larger towns to smarter, bigger bars.
For some, perhaps, the attraction of the traditional old country pub is fading.
Richard’s son, Richard Junior, helps out part-time behind the bar, and he sees the trend.
“The culture is changing in that there’s a drift towards people having parties at home, and maybe just having a few drinks at home at the weekend before going to the bigger towns,” he says.