2017

  Over 73% of Irish people will visit the pub this Christmas, with the majority voting Christmas Eve as their favourite ‘night out’ over the festive period, according to an online poll conducted by the

As pubs and restaurants gear up for another busy year in the food market, what new ingredients or stand out trends can you expect to see in 2018? Food trends expert at Musgrave MarketPlace, Dr Deirdre

VFI member, Thomas Treacy from Treacy’s Bar & Restaurant, Portlaoise has received an award and special recognition from the Road Safety Authority for his transport service. Treacy’s Bar & Restaurant, which is located approximately 5km from

Business consultant Alan O’Neill writes a weekly column about making the most of your business for The Sunday Independent. In this week’s column he focuses on the challenges faced by rural pubs and highlights Irish

For the first time ever the self-employed including publicans are now entitled to long-term sick pay. From the 1st of December nearly 326,000 self-employed people are entitled to long-term sick pay. The invalidity pension, paid at

Cellar safety in pubs is being tackled ahead of Christmas trade with help of the Licensed Premises/Cellar Safety campaign.   The Irish Brewers Association and the Health & Safety Authority have co-launched a programme designed for

Domestic pets will be allowed to enter pubs as food hygiene regulations dating back to 1950’s which prohibited pet owners from bringing their dogs and cats inside restaurants, cafés and pubs has now been repealed. Patrons

Coca-Cola HBC Ireland has launched its 13th annual Designated Driver campaign 2017. The aim of the campaign is to encourage people across the island of Ireland to give the ‘Gift of a Lift’ to friends

Congratulations to Trudy Mathews, winner of the VFI sponsored award for ‘Best Final Year Student on the BSc (Hons) degree in Bar Studies (Management & Entrepreneurship)’. Trudy revived her award at a recent prize giving

The National Hygiene Patnership (NHP) ”Food Safety Day” will take place on Tuesday 21st of November 2017. The purpose of this day is to create awareness, draw attention of food businesses to food safety and

The VFI has said now is the time for the entire Irish drinks industry to fully support the Government’s plans to introduce minimum unit pricing (MUP). The call comes as the UK Supreme Court rejected an

The increase in range, diversity and quality of food in Irish pubs is underlined by a new report that reveals €1,353bn is spent on food in pubs annually. The 2017 Irish Foodservice Channel Insights Report

The Porter House, based in Castlebridge, Co Wexford, has won the overall Irish Pub Awards National Irish Pub of the Year 2017. The Wexford pub was crowned national champion after winning the Best Local Pub,

The United Kingdom and Ireland Licensed Trade Association (UKILTA) recently held its annual meeting in Kilkenny. Hosted by VFI President and local publican Pat Crotty the meeting discussed a wide range of issues including Brexit,

Congratulations to the Fifteen VFI members who received recognition in Michelin’s recently published Eating Out in Pubs Guide for 2018. Thirty Irish pubs in total were acknowledged for serving high quality food, twenty-two are based

Bord na Móna is launching a search for pubs with the cosiest firesides across the country. If you think your pub fits the bill you could win the opportunity to host an intimate acoustic Hearth

Galway’s first ever ‘Publican’s Pint Race’ in aid of Western Alzheimers are looking for Galway pubs to get involved in a fun fundraiser & race each other with a pint in a steady hand! Posted

VFI President Pat Crotty along with Chief Executive Padraig Cribben met with Minister for Justice and Equality Charlie Flanagan TD this week to discuss a range of legislative issues affecting the pub trade. According to

VFI members will have received correspondence from the Valuation Office recently in relation to the revaluation of your premises. You are legally obliged to complete the Revaluation Information Form & return it within 28 days

Electric Ireland has been appointed the official energy partner to the VFI. Electric Ireland will be providing a fantastic energy offering that the VFI believes has the capacity to significantly reduce members’ electricity costs. At