Members of the Donegal Vintners’ Federation have raised serious concerns about the future of their industry. Publicans from across the county gathered in Cheers Bar, Ballybofey last Wednesday to discuss the devastating impact of rising operational costs, particularly the higher VAT rate, which they say is crippling small businesses in rural areas like Donegal. Publican […]
Last orders for pubs in Donegal?
By Evelyn Cullen THE high excise duty is a major challenge facing pubs, with one local publican forecasting a turbulent time ahead for the industry unless measures are put in place for its survival in the coming budget. Councillor Martin Harley was speaking in the wake of a new report by the Drinks Industry Group of […]
Shock as 113 pubs closed in Donegal
MORE than a quarter of Donegal’s public houses have closed since 2005 with the number in the county now reduced from 453 in 2005 to 334 in 2021. The percentage of bars which have closed in the county is way above the national average according to Drinks Industry Group of Ireland (Digi) who published the […]