The owner of one of Donegal’s best-known pubs has blamed cheap alcohol in supermarkets and the lack of rural transport for the closure of her pub.
Roselene O’Beirne has owned Neddie’s Bar in Mullaghduff in The Rosses for the past six years.
But now, just a few months after the popular bar celebrated its 50th anniversary, it has closed its doors.
Locals in West Donegal are finding it hard to believe that yet another landmark local business has fallen by the wayside.
Ms O’Beirne, who runs the pub with her husband Gary, told Donegaldaily.com that emigration has blighted the Rosses and almost wiped out its population.
She said the occasional return of workers who had left the area for work elsewhere was no longer enough to keep her doors open.
“The death nail for the rural licensed trade has been brought about in two parts; the enforcement of the drink driving legislation. Although the licensed trade is supportive it is essential that an effective rural transport system is put in place and secondly the sale of alcohol at loss leading prices by the leading supermarkets to such an extent that it is cheaper than small pubs can get from their own suppliers.
“The economic climate has caused mass migration from the Rosses leaving a ‘war like’ feeling to the area.
“Returning workers over the holiday periods will not be sufficient to support the increasing cost of running these businesses.
“Despite the reduction in turnover the government continues to seek higher revenues which cannot be sustained and in the case of Neddies will mean no revenue going forward,” she said.
Over the years the couple has spent a considerable amount of modernising the premises including complete kitchen fit-out.
The pub was first opened in 1961 by a man called Neddie who turned the premises, which had previously operated as a shop, into a pub when he returned from Scotland.
Landlady Roselene added the rural pub formed an important release for many parts of the community who may not otherwise get a chance to socialise.
“They tend to be very proud and self sufficient but to remove these outlets can leave many of the community isolated and vulnerable,” she said.
She added that she and her husband took nothing but happy memories form their time in Neddies and thanked all their customers over the years for their kindness, custom and support.
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