‘A village without a pub is a dead village’ Billy Keane tells it like it is

A heartfelt opinion piece in the Irish Independent by journalist Billy Keane highlighted the potential impact the new drink-driving bill would have on rural pubs. Billy grew up in his family pub in Listowel, Co Kerry and can relate to the struggle and heartache of running a business during testing times. Although he doesn’t argue […]

Talking to VFI members about drink driving in East Cork

One of the topics of conversation featured on Today with Sean O’Rourke, RTE Radio One show on Monday, July 17th was about the proposed bill on drink driving. New laws would automatically impose a three-month ban on drivers found with 51-80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood. The proposed bill has yet to be passed […]

Abolition of Good Friday pub ban moves step closer

The VFI has welcomed today’s vote in the Seanad passing all stages of the Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2017, which brings the abolition of the current ban on all licensed premises selling alcohol on Good Friday a step closer. VFI CEO Padraig Cribben says: “Today’s vote in the Upper House means the archaic law banning the […]

Flying the VFI flag at Wild Atlantic Ultra Race

Huge congratulations to VFI member Michael Sharkey, from Sharkey’s Bar, Annagry in County Donegal who joined cyclists from all over Ireland, UK and abroad to compete in the Donegal Wild Atlantic Ultra Race on Friday, 23rd of June. The race is an ultra-cycling event along 555km of rugged and beautiful Donegal Wild Atlantic Way coastline. Michael […]

Listowel VFI members revisit Revival

Kerry, and north Kerry in particular, have a very proud tradition music, song and craic and it is fitting that this is to continue with the Revival Music Festival again this year in Listowel on Saturday 12th August 2017. Eight publicans, Aiden O’Connor, Sean Broderick, Jerry Behan, Mike Brosnan, Christy Walsh, Terry Dunne, Gordon Flannery and […]

‘Two Pints’ starts sell-out run across Ireland

Roddy Doyle’s latest play, Two Pints, is continuing its sold out run across the pubs of Ireland after a successful national launch in The Village Inn, Kilkenny, last Wednesday. The play, which is sponsored by the VFI, is being staged in VFI member pubs as part of the Abbey Theatre’s commitment to bring the theatre […]

Below cost selling fuels home consumption

New Central Statistics Office (CSO) figures reveal Irish people are spending more on alcohol for consumption at home. The CSO Household Budget Survey reveals the proportion of total alcohol expenditure spent on drinks consumed at home increased from over 41% in 2009-2010 to over 51% in 2015-2016. The 10% increase in home consumption can be attributed […]

Insurance issues dominate VFI regional workshop

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The VFI recently concluded a series of regional workshops focused on the issue of insurance and reducing business costs. As our CEO Padraig Cribben said at the Cavan workshop, insurance is the biggest issue facing members today. The difficulties facing VFI members securing insurance cover are well documented. As Michael Sheehy, Managing Director of Alert […]

Pub sector has new ministers

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has today announced his new line-up of junior ministers. The  positions with most relevance to the hospitality sector – Tourism and Sport at the Department of Transport Tourism and Sport along with Drugs Strategy and Health Promotion at the Department of Health – have been filled respectively by Brendan Griffith from Kerry […]

VFI pubs to host Roddy Doyle’s Two Pints play

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The VFI is partnering with the Abbey Theatre in staging Roddy Doyle’s Two Pints play in over a dozen VFI member pubs across Ireland. Directed by Caitriona McLaughlin, Two Pints will head on the road to pubs across the country in July. It will premiere in The Foxhound Inn in Kilbarrack on 11 July, before […]

Pubs account for 20% of foodservices market

Consumers spent close to €1bn on food in Irish pubs in 2016. According to research conducted by Bord Bia the total all-Ireland spend in pubs was €1.34bn, of which €954m was generated in the Republic. The overall foodservices market (all food consumed outside the home) was valued at €7.5bn in 2016 and is projected to […]

VFI Regional workshops to tackle insurance

The VFI in partnership with local Federations would like to invite VFI members to our inaugural regional workshops. With the pressures on running businesses increasing at an ever alarming rate, now more than ever you need to ensure your pub is protected from these most difficult challenges. This VFI workshop will tackle the following major […]

Publicans gather in Athlone for VFI AGM 2017

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The VFI held it’s AGM on Tuesday 9th May 2017 in the Radisson Blu Hotel, Athlone. A full report on the proceedings will be available shortly but in the meantime here are a selection of images from the day:[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_gallery images=”4701,4700,4699,4698,4697,4696,4695,4694,4693,4692,4691,4690,4689,4688,4687,4686,4680,4678,4707,4706,4705,4704,4679,4716″ type=”image_grid”][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Survey 2017

Pubs of Ireland Survey 2017 The VFI recently undertook a major consumer survey to gauge sentiment around the Irish pub amongst locals and tourists. Over 1,500 people took part in the survey and the results reveal some fascinating insights about what people think about pubs and pub culture. Over the coming weeks we’ll be taking […]

VFI survey reveals 88% of people say pub heritage worth preserving

  New research reveals over 50% of the population visit the pub at least once a week, while as a nation we retain a deep affinity for the Irish pub as a social hub at the heart of local communities. The findings are revealed as 400 publicans from all corners of Ireland will gather at […]

VFI and LVA join forces to launch inaugural Irish Pub Awards

The inaugural Irish Pub Awards 2017 were launched in Dublin this week. The launch, which took place in Doheny and Nesbitt’s Public House in Dublin’s Baggot Street, is jointly presented by Vintners Federation Ireland (VFI) and Licenced Vintners Association (LVA).  Entries open from today, judging will take place during the summer and the National Pub […]

Publicans welcome Senate vote in favour of abolishing Good Friday drink ban

The two main representative groups, the Licensed Vintners Association (Dublin publicans) and the Vintners Federation of Ireland (Outside Dublin) said they were delighted that the amendment, proposed by Independent Senator Billy Lawless, was passed in the Upper House. Both publican groups said they expect the final amendment to include all licensed premises including pubs, hotels, […]

VFI CEO Statement to Transport Committee

Full statement as follows: I would like to thank the Committee and you Mr Chairman for the opportunity to come here today for a pre-legislative discussion on the Road Traffic (Fixed Penalty – Drink Driving) Bill 2017. Background The Vintners’ Federation of Ireland represent publicans in the 25 counties outside of Dublin. Over 90% of […]

No justification for proposed drink driving legislation says VFI

• No evidence alcohol is the primary cause of fatalities in 51mg-80mg category • Legislation without enforcement is futile • Minister should support Public Health (Alcohol) Bill – legislation that will save lives The Vintners’ Federation of Ireland (VFI) has today (12th April) stated Minister for Transport Shane Ross is misleading the public in his […]

VFI statement in response to Minister Ross’s comments

VFI CEO Padraig Cribben states: “Minister Ross is engaged in a cynical exercise in deflecting attention from his inability to manage other elements of his portfolio. “Regarding drink driving, the law we have in place today would work if implemented. Statistics show the majority (over 80%) of those involved in such fatal accidents are at […]