Concern expressed that dozens of local pubs may not re-open later this month

Concern has been expressed that dozens of pubs across the Shannonside Northern Sound region may not open again later this month due to the pandemic.

This week a campaign aimed at trying to protecting the future of pubs was launched by the Licensed Vintners Association (LVA), the Vintners Federation of Ireland (VFI), and the Ibec representative group Drinks Ireland

They claim that up to 60% of bars outside of Dublin may not re-open due to the nature of social distancing rules as well as the long term effect on how pubs will need to operate during the pandemic.

Speaking on the Joe Finnegan show Castlerea's publican Lorna McGourty admits that pubs will need their customers to help them through the early initial days of the 'new normal'