Like triple-distilled whiskey, Irish pubs seem to have a timeless appeal. They are a staple setting in films, books, and plays, drawing tourists to Ireland, replicating themselves worldwide, and inspiring social media quests for the perfect cozy corner and the perfect pint.
Scholars have now given academic recognition to this cultural treasure by examining—and celebrating—pubs through the lenses of history, sociology, architecture, psychology, design, art, and literature.
Two new books, The Irish Pub: Invention and Reinvention and The Dublin Pub: A Social and Cultural History, are filled with footnotes, data, and lore as they analyze what makes a “perfect pub” and the mysterious chemistry that creates “craic.”
However, both authors reach a sobering conclusion: Irish pubs are in trouble. They are disappearing from rural Ireland, and many are struggling to survive in the capital.
“It feels like a moment of transition,” said Donal Fallon, author of The Dublin Pub. “Every Dubliner should drive through rural towns to see what’s happening. The pub has been knocked off its perch.”
Some villages have lost all their pubs, and new housing developments often leave them out, said Perry Share, a co-editor of The Irish Pub, a collection of essays by 20 writers. “Planners aren’t insisting on including pubs. That could create future problems with loneliness and community cohesion.”
Since 2005, Ireland has lost a quarter of its pubs—more than 2,100—averaging 112 closures per year. Reasons cited include high alcohol taxes, drink-driving laws, rising property prices, and a decline in alcohol consumption.
This is a global trend, with traditional bars closing across Britain, Europe, and Asia, but for Ireland, the stakes are especially high, said Share, who heads the school of social science and humanities at Atlantic Technological University.
“Our society is becoming divided into different interest groups, so it’s important to have these places where people can interact across class and gender lines,” he said. “In the pub, it’s okay to express emotion in a certain way, to grab someone and hug them.”
Just over half the population lives within 300 meters of Ireland’s remaining 7,000 pubs, and Share noted that pubs remain central to expressions of Irish culture, such as in novels by authors like Sally Rooney and Paul Murray, TV shows like Trespasses, and Hollywood depictions of Ireland.
“Even if declining, the pub is still part of the fabric of everyday life. If it does disappear, it’s a real loss. People talk about alternatives like coffee shops, but no one says they had great craic in a coffee shop,” he said.
The volume Share co-edited with Moonyoung Hong, a professor of English at the University of Hong Kong, covers the evolution of taverns in Jonathan Swift’s era, the rise of gay pubs in the 20th century, and the export of Irish-themed pubs from Nepal to Peru.
An essay by Kevin Martin—author of a previous book on pubs titled Have Ye No Homes to Go To?—lists 10 elements of an ideal pub, including “a great pint of Guinness at a decent price” and “convivial company when needed, and peace when not.”
Social media influencers document their searches for “the best” Irish pub on Instagram and other platforms, but Fallon, a social historian, believes this misses the point: “This veneration of a handful of places, this ranking system, is often driven by aesthetics rather than an appreciation of what the pub truly is. Something doesn’t have to be the best to be important. It has to be part of its community. If you’ve had the worst day of your life, the nearest pub is probably the best pub.”The interior of O’Neill’s pub in Dublin. Photograph: Sergio Azenha/Alamy
Fallon’s book reveals lively stories featuring personalities like American photographer Lee Miller, who captured the Palace bar while on a Vogue assignment in Dublin during the 1940s. It also celebrates and examines the unheralded, ordinary suburban pubs.
Fallon points out that the word “pub” comes from “public house.” “There’s genuine warmth in that phrase. It suggests a shared, living space and reflects the communal essence of what a pub represents.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of FAQs about the role of craic in community inspired by concerns over the decline of Irish pubs
BeginnerLevel Questions
1 What exactly is craic
Craic is an Irish term for fun entertainment and enjoyable conversation especially when shared with others in a social setting Its the heart of a good time
2 Why are researchers worried about pubs closing
Researchers see pubs as vital third placesnot home or workwhere communities naturally gather Their decline means fewer spaces for people to connect share stories and create the craic that binds a community together
3 Can a community survive without these social hubs
Yes a community can survive but its social fabric may weaken Without central places for spontaneous interaction people can become more isolated and the unique informal connections that define a vibrant community are harder to maintain
4 What are some signs that a community is lacking craic
Signs include people keeping to themselves fewer public celebrations or festivals a lack of spontaneous conversations in the street and a general feeling that the area is quiet or less lively than it used to be
Advanced Practical Questions
5 Beyond pubs where else can community craic happen
Community craic can thrive in cafes libraries with social events community gardens sports clubs local markets and even online groups that organize regular inperson meetups Any place that encourages relaxed informal mingling can foster it
6 What are the main reasons pubs are closing and how does that affect craic
Reasons include rising costs changing social habits stricter drinkdriving laws and urbanization This directly reduces the number of physical spaces dedicated to unstructured socializing making it harder for communitywide craic to occur organically
7 Isnt this just nostalgia for the good old days
While nostalgia plays a part the concern is also backed by social science The loss of these gathering spots has a measurable impact on social capitalthe networks and trust that make communities resilient supportive and enjoyable places to live
8 How can a modern community intentionally create craic
Communities can create craic by
