For sale signs go up outside five Limerick pubs as locals told to ‘use it or lose it’

FIVE prominent pubs across the city and county have hit the market in recent weeks.

The Seven Sisters in Kildimo; O’Shea’s Pub, Ballysimon; Barr Na Sraide, Ballyhahill, Jack O’Rourkes Bar & Accommodation, Abbeyfeale and JC Barrett’s Bar, Glin have all been advertised for sale on Daft.

The licensed premises are all being sold as “going concerns” with residential accommodation.

READ NEXT: 'End of an era' for popular County Limerick restaurant as sale is announced 

Promotional material accompanies each advert. The Seven Sisters is described as “one of County Limerick’s best known public houses”. 

“It is quite rare that a multi-generational and strongly trading pub  / lounge / function room area with adjoining residential aspect comes to the market and interest is sure to be strong both locally, nationally and internationally,” say selling agent, Hogan Durkan.

GL Auctioneers say they are delighted to offer O' Shea's Pub to the open market for sale, “a renowned public house with residential accommodation”.

“The property enjoys a prominent location and has the added benefit of a huge catchment area on its doorstep whilst still only a short commute to Limerick city centre.”

West Property Group say Barr Na Sraide is an excellent opportunity to acquire a long established licensed premises that is trading very successfully.

JC Barrett’s is described by DNG Declan Woulfe as a long established licensed premises and “enjoys an exceptional annual turnover”. It is the only one to include a price - €385,000. The other four are price on application.

The Leader contacted Eamonn O'Rahilly, chairman of the city Vintners Federation branch, to get an insight into the publican trade at the moment. He stressed the importance of pubs to communities and spoke of the issues they are facing.

Mr O’Rahilly said there is a lot of taxation involved, not just the publican business, but all SMEs.

“We're campaigning at the moment for the reduction in VAT from 13.5% down to 9% on food sold in pubs. We also carry the burden of 23% VAT on all products sold, plus the excise duty added onto that. Going back a few years ago, they introduced the USC  which they have never removed. 

“We have the employer's contribution on PRSI and the demand on us for PRSI to be paid monthly.

“There is the constant struggle of increasing wages. You have the minimum wage there now of €13.50, hoping to rise to €16 by 2026 or 2027, and the burden of PRSI comes with that as well. So it's a constant, not only for our industry, but all SMEs have been hit very, very hard by this constant taxation,” said Mr O’Rahilly. 

He continued: “Then when it comes to the publicans, you have IMRO, Sky, you have TV licensing, Every year you have pub licensing, which has to be done and we agree with that, but those costs are going up. Just to get your pub open, the cost of public liability insurance. So there's a whole plethora of costs there that's going against not just publicans but all SMEs.

Getting young blood coming into the industry is another obstacle. He said some may look at the hours involved and think of pursuing a different career.

“Everyday everybody else wants to celebrate - Christmas Eve, New Year's Eve, St Stephen’s Day, Mother's Day, Father's Day, Valentine’s Day, Sunday, Saturday, Friday - you have to be there to provide that service. We're not complaining,” said the proprietor of The Spotted Dog in Janesboro.

Reflecting on a recent report that revealed Limerick has seen the steepest decline in pub numbers of any county in Ireland, Mr O’Rahilly said “use it or lose it”.

“We have a fabulous standard of pub. Initiatives like Twilight Thursday have brought a vibrancy,” said Mr O’Rahilly, who points to significant investments made by The Old Quarter with the revamped Forde's Courtyard and by Bobby Byrne’s in the city and 26 locals coming together in Kilteely to save their pub.

He spoke of their importance as venues for communities to celebrate happy occasions or after funerals.

“The Irish pub still has a vibrancy but it has to be used. It's use it or lose it. We don’t just offer alcoholic beverages, we have a plethora of new products with Guinness 0.0, Heineken 0.0, non-alcoholic wines, gins and vodkas.

"You don't have to go and drink. You can socialise with friends and family and enjoy a nice night out. We're there to be enjoyed and it’s in a controlled environment as well. We lead the world on how to run pubs,” concluded Mr O’Rahilly.