New videos highlight Kerry Social Spin scheme
Two new videos from the VFI and Guinness highlight the importance of Social Spin, a pilot rural transport scheme being run in two Kerry locations. Having noticed a steady decline in people coming through their doors, publicans in Causeway North Kerry and Faha, South Kerry, came together to address isolation in the community by creating […]
VFI launches Christmas ‘Morning After’ campaign
The VFI has today (Wednesday 11th December) launched a ‘morning after’ awareness campaign aimed at arming people with the facts about driving safely after a night out. The social media campaign is in response to a widespread misunderstanding amongst the public about changes to drink driving laws, with many people now worried about getting […]
Holidays are coming for designated drivers
Publicans team up with Coca-Cola to reward designated drivers over the festive season Coca-Cola is encouraging people across Ireland to take on the role of ‘designated driver’, staying sober on nights out to ensure loved ones and friends get home safely. Holidays are coming early for these unsung heroes, with two free soft drinks from […]
Paris Texas named Irish Pub of the Year 2019
***The Irish Pub Awards are returning in 2022**** For more info please visit the official website Paris Texas in Kilkenny is celebrating after being named National Pub of the Year at the Irish Pub Awards 2019. The Kilkenny pub was crowned national champion after winning the Innovative Pub of the Year, one of nine […]
Tackling rural isolation with Social Spin
Social Spin is a pilot programme in two Kerry locations designed to help rural publicans help their communities by providing a voluntary taxi service. The VFI is making a video about the programme and while in Kerry talked to publicans running the service. The changes introduced by the Road Traffic Act 2018 have had a […]
Regional Winners Enjoy Management Training
The Irish Pub Awards’ 63 regional winners gathered in the Red Cow Hotel, Dublin on Tuesday 15th October for two day Management Training programme. Padraic McGann, President, VFI, Laura Murray, Derek Stapleton and Sinéad Barry,The Central, Navan Simon Dease, Molson Coors, Leigh Williams, Mickey Finn’s Pub @ The Wicklow Brewery, Fred Malzard, Malzards Bar, Kilkenny […]
‘Best Late Night Bar’ Regional Winners Revealed
The Irish Pub Awards 2019 Regional Winners in new category ‘Best Late Night Bar’ have been announced. Congratulations and best of luck to all the winners who were shortlisted in this year’s awards. Here is the shortlist for ‘Best Late Night Bar’ Category: Connaught Region Cosy Joe’s, Westport, Mayo North East Region […]
VFI calls for 15% reduction in excise duty
A new Drinks Industry Group of Ireland (DIGI) report, Excise Tax Rates in Europe: How Ireland Compares in 2019, authored by Dublin City University economist Anthony Foley, shows that Ireland continues to have the second-highest overall excise tax on alcohol in the EU, the highest excise tax on wine, the second highest on beer, and […]
Here’s the Shortlist for ‘Best Newcomer’ Award Category
The Irish Pub Awards judges have spoken.. the 2019 ‘Best Newcomer’ shortlist has been revealed! Congratulations and best of luck to all the Regional Winners who were shortlisted in this year’s awards. Here is the shortlist for ‘Best Newcomer’ Category: Connaught Region Brewery Lane, Ballinasloe, Galway North East Region The Rusty Mackerel, […]
‘Best Outdoor Space’ Regional Winners Announced
The Irish Pub Awards Regional Winners for ‘Best Outdoor Space’ have been revealed. Congratulations and to all the winners who were shortlisted in this year’s awards. Here is the shortlist for ‘Best Outdoor Space’ Category: Connaught Region Murty Rabbitts, Galway North East Region Russell’s Saloon, Dundalk, Louth South East Region Christy’s […]
Congratulations to Irish Pub Awards ‘Best Music Pub’ Winners
The 2019 ‘Best Music Pub’ Regional Winners have been decided by the Irish Pub Awards Judges! Congratulations and best of luck to all the winners who were shortlisted in this year’s awards. Here is the shortlist for ‘Best Music Pub’ Category: Connaught Region Quays Bar and Music Hall, Galway North East Region […]
Winners for ‘Outstanding Customer Service’ Have Been Announced
The Irish Pub Awards have announced the Regional Winners for ‘Outstanding Customer Service’. Congratulations to all the winners staff and management who were shortlisted. Here is the shortlist for ‘Outstanding Customer Service’ Category: Connaught Region Buffalo Boy, Carrick -on- Shannon, Leitrim North East Region An Poc Fada, Monaghan South East Region […]
New Garda Insurance Fraud Unit Will Tackle Bogus Claims
VFI calls for immediate funding for new Garda Insurance Fraud Co-Ordination Unit The VFI has welcomed news that a special insurance fraud co-ordination unit is to be established within the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau, based at Harcourt Street, Dublin. The unit will tackle bogus claims made by individuals who, at present, do not […]
Regional Winners for ‘Best Local Pub’ are crowned!
The 2019 ‘Best Local Pub’ have been decided by the Irish Pub Awards Judges! Congratulations to all the regional winners who were shortlisted for their hard work & dedication to the pub trade. Here is the shortlist for ‘Best Local Pub’ Category: Connaught Region Mellett’s Emporium, Swinford, Mayo North East Region The […]
Here’s the Shortlist for ‘Innovative Pub of the Year’
The Irish Pub Awards ‘Innovative pub of the Year’ have been announced! Huge congratulations to all the Regional Winners especially all the staff and management teams. Here is the shortlist for ‘Innovative Pub of the Year’ Category Connaught Region Garavouge Bar, Sligo Town, Sligo North East Region Dead Center Brewing, Athlone, Westmeath […]
Decline in UK tourist expenditure confirms publican concerns
The latest CSO figures published this week reveal the decline in British tourist expenditure continues, underlining feedback from VFI publicans over the summer that visitor numbers in tourist areas of the country are much weaker than in 2018. Quarter two figures reveal a significant 3.1% drop in UK tourist spend compared with a 5.3% drop […]
Regional winners for ‘Best Tourist Pub’ Are Revealed
The Irish Pub Awards have crowned the ‘Best Tourist Pub’ in each region. Huge congratulations to all the regional winners of 2019! Here is a list of all regional winners in the ‘Best Tourist Pub’ Connaught Region Lowry’s Music & Whiskey Bar, Clifden, Galway North East Region PEGANS Bar, Moate, Westmeath […]
Irish Pub Awards Reveal Regional Winners for ‘Best Food Pub’
The Irish Pub Awards judges have spoken the Regional Winners in the ‘Best Food Pub’ Category for 2019 have been announced! Here is a list of all regional winners in the ‘Best Food Category’ Connaught Region Paddy Coynes Pub, Connemara, Galway North East Region Murphs Gastro Pub at the Derragarra Inn, Cavan […]
Local Hackney Pilot Scheme Launched
The National Transport Authority (NTA) has launched a pilot programme for a “localised” hackney scheme in 15 rural locations across Ireland. The pilot programme was initiated after widespread criticism that large areas of the country are without adequate public transport solutions. Successful applicants for the local hackney licence will each be awarded a €6,000 grant […]
Call for reduction in excise as pub numbers decline
Pub closures continue as revenue figures show 71 rural pubs closed in 2018 & – 1,535 less pubs in rural Ireland than in 2005 Drinks Industry Group of Ireland (DIGI) analysis shows nearly 20% of (1,535) rural pubs closed between 2005 and 2018, compared to just 1% in Dublin. 71 rural pubs closed in 2018, […]