Latest News

New Fáilte Ireland Food & Drink Strategy Aims to Change Overseas Visitor Perceptions As pub food sales continue a steady climb, Fáilte Ireland has launched a new strategy to boost the relationship between tourism and

Publicans are celebrating a change in the licensing laws that will allow pubs sell alcohol on Good Friday for the first time in 90 years. The Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2017 passed all stages in the

The VFI has welcomed today’s launch of the Alliance for Insurance Reform, saying the initiative is badly needed in the face of the unprecedented escalation in insurance costs. According to Padraig Cribben, VFI Chief Executive,

New dates have been announced for ‘The Business of Pub Food’ courses run by Blathnaid Bergin in conjunction with the VFI. The courses have run for a number of years and have received excellent feedback

A mental health campaign founded in Wexford is expanding nationwide and is calling for support from publicans around the country. The Ask campaign was founded by former Wexford Mayor Frank Staples in 2016.  The campaign

To celebrate the humble burger, BurgerFest 2018 is taking place on January 22nd – 29th 2018 in venues across the country.  VFI members are invited to participate in the event, which was originally held in

  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,