Galway city and county has seen the closure of an incredible 333 pubs in the past two years alone – the majority were in rural parts.

The startling figures have been revealed by the Chairman of County Galway Vintners, Cllr Joe Sheridan, who warned that the trend was only going to continue.

And that’s because rural pubs and restaurants have been excluded from an energy support scheme that allowed businesses to claim back 40% of their energy costs.

The Dunmore publican warned that a busy Christmas would be the last hurrah for many more who will be forced to shut their doors in the New Year.

Cllr Sheridan, who is a brother of Milltown’s pub owner Cathal Sheridan, said that any scheme to help licensed premises owners had to be welcomed – but in this case it was not applicable.

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