Over 2,000 Irish pubs have closed since 2005, with rural areas hit hardest.

More than 2,000 pubs have closed in Ireland since 2005, with one in four shutting down. The Drinks Industry Group of Ireland reports an average of 112 pubs closing annually, with up to 1,000 more expected to close in the next decade. Rural areas are hit hardest, and the group calls for a 10% cut in excise duty to help save these community hubs.