Over a third of Irish people dine out every week
New research by Musgrave MarketPlace shows that 36% of Irish people like to eat out at least once a week, with the weekend being the most popular time. The research was carried out as part of Musgrave MarketPlace’s ‘Discover Musgrave MarketPlace event’. While dinner is the most popular meal to dine out for, 1 in 4 […]
Irish Pub Awards 2017
The Irish Pub Awards recognise the best in class nationally 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, one of eight categories announced at last night’s awards. The […]
VFI and LVA launch Irish Pub Awards 2018
The Irish Pub Awards 2018 were launched in Dublin today (26th April 2018). The launch, which took place in Lemon & Duke Public House in Dublin’s Duke Lane, is jointly presented by Vintners’ Federation Ireland (VFI) and Licenced Vintners Association (LVA). Entries are open from today, judging will take place during the summer and the […]
Irish Pub Awards 2018
The Irish Pub Awards 2018 has crowned this years regional winners The seven regional events took place throughout September and October announcing the winners across nine categories. All nine winners in each category will now go forward to the final of the National Pub Awards at the RDS Concert Hall in Dublin 4 on Wednesday […]
Service excellence boosts turnover for The Bog Road
We continue our profiles of VFI winners from last year’s Irish Pub Awards with a visit to Donal O’Gorman in Portloaise. The Bog Road, one of Donal’s two pubs, won Best Customer Service at the awards. The Bog Road opened in March 2017, so to win an award was a great achievement and testament to […]
National ‘Pub of the Year’ has winning formula
We take a closer look at Ireland’s Pub of the Year 2017, The Porter House in Castlebridge, Co. Wexford Giving back to the community is something close to Myles Doyle’s heart since he and his wife Sharon took over as owners of The Porter House in Castlebridge, Co Wexford in 2012. Born and reared in the […]
Dining out most popular way to mark First Communion
A new survey by foodservice wholesaler Musgrave MarketPlace, reveals that almost half of parents (47%) celebrate their child’s First Holy Communion with a meal out. The survey of 737 Irish parents into First Communion dining, reveals that celebrating at a local restaurant is the most popular way to mark the occasion (41%), followed by a meal […]
Food Heaven in West Cork’s Michelin Pubs
A recent feature in the Weekend Supplement of the Irish Independent celebrated the exceptional food and service in West Cork pubs. In a food obsessed county, you are sure to find some hidden gems in West Cork. If you are seeking exceptional food, fresh home grown produce and service then look no further than the […]
Calls for prosecution of false personal injury claims
The Alliance for Insurance Reform, the group which brings together representative bodies from the not-for-profit, charity, sports and small and medium-sized business sectors across Ireland, has presented a suite of practical measures to tackle crippling insurance premiums to a hearing of the Oireachtas Committee on Business, Enterprise and Innovation. The Alliance, including the VFI as […]
Visiting pub tops the list with overseas visitors
A new survey carried out by Europcar Ireland shows that 93% of tourists have visited a pub during their visit to Ireland. Europcar’s research highlights that a massive 73% of overseas visitors said visiting a pub was an important part of exploring Irish culture. 43% of those surveyed stated that the warm and welcome […]
Sugar Tax Explained
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_toggle title=”Q. What is it?” custom_font_container=”tag:h1|text_align:left” use_custom_heading=”true”]A. The sugar tax is a tax on sugar sweetened non-alcoholic drinks.[/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=”Q. When does it come into being?” use_custom_heading=”true”]A. The commencement date is Tuesday 1st May 2018[/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=”Q. Does it apply to alcohol drinks?” use_custom_heading=”true”]A. The sugar tax does not apply to alcoholic drinks.[/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=”Q. How does it work?” […]
Fewer calls to fire service linked to Good Friday opening
The Fire Brigade in Dublin logged almost 100 fewer emergency calls on Good Friday 2018 compared to last year, which the service has linked to less house parties due to pubs opening for the first time on Good Friday. Calls to Dublin Fire Brigade originate in the capital and 13 other counties. This year over […]
Good Friday trading receives positive reaction
Good Friday 2018 will be remembered as the first time since 1926 licensed premises could open and serve alcohol. While there was some opposition to liberalising the licensing laws, most people viewed it as a common-sense decision that brought pubs into line with other businesses. Publicans across the State reported a “busy day’s trade” as […]
New era dawns as Publicans welcome Good Friday opening
Good Friday 2018 represents an historic day for Irish pubs as for the first time in over 90 years licensed venues will be open and permitted to serve alcohol.The Vintners’ Federation of Ireland (VFI), in welcoming the legislation that allows pubs to serve alcohol on Good Friday, says removing the ban was about introducing choice, both for the customer and the […]
Publicans will lose livelihoods admits Ross
Minister for Transport Shane Ross has said The Road Traffic Bill could cost publicans their livelihoods. The Minister was speaking during the Committee Stage of the Bill. “What’s happening here is right and we have to pay a bit of a price for introducing it,” said Mr Ross. “It will cost. Maybe it will cost […]
No bar to Good Friday special exemptions
A Circuit Court ruling announced last Friday opens the way for publicans to apply for special exemptions over the Good Friday period. President of the Circuit Court, Mr Justice Raymond Groarke said that new legislation (Intoxicating Liquor (Amendment) Bill 2017) meant that Good Friday shall be treated under the licensing laws the same as any other […]
VFI Members Feature in 101 Great Irish Restaurants
Congratulations to the VFI members who featured in The Sunday Business Post top ‘101 Great Irish Restaurants 2018’. Alongside numerous restaurants the feature also recognised pubs who serve exceptional food to customers. The 32-page supplement highlights pubs and restaurants that cater for every occasion, from Michelin star restaurants to hotels and seafood pubs. The food […]
Contacting VFI during weather event
VFI Head Office will be open until 1pm, Thursday 1st March (weather permitting). From lunchtime 1st March the office will close and we will be unable to answer phone calls. Emails will continue to be monitored so if you need to get in touch please email [email protected] We are also available on Twitter and Facebook […]
Sugar Tax questions and answers
Q: What is it? A: The sugar tax is a tax on sugar sweetened non-alcoholic drinks. Q: When does it come into being? A: The commencement date is April 6th 2018 Q: Does it apply to alcohol drinks? A: The sugar tax does not apply to alcoholic drinks. Q: How does it work? A: The […]
Handling kegs in cold conditions
The Irish Brewers Association have sent on a guide on how to properly handle kegs when the temperature is below freezing (0˚c). As extreme cold weather is set to hit Ireland over the next couple of days now would be a good chance to review the information. You can download the PDF here