Sadness in Kilkenny as beloved pub announces 'immediate' closure

The Valley Inn, a treasured local pub in Woodsgift in County Kilkenny, has announced its 'immediate' closure.

In a post on social media, the establishment shared the update: "It is with deep sadness that we announce that The Valley Inn will be closing its doors immediately.

READ NEXT: New speed limit proposed on 'lethal' road in Kilkenny amid public outrage

"We just want to thank you all for your continued support and custom over the last 25 years.

"Great times were had by all and it will be truly missed. Thanks for all the memories everyone especially the ones with the Main Man (sic) of the Valley, Mr Liam Comerford."

Liam Comerford, who ran the pub before his tragic passing last month, was adored by the members of the local community.

Reacting to the closure update, one commenter remarked: "So sad. We all had such great nights in The Valley Inn and the welcome you’d get from Liam will be with us forever. RIP Liam."

Another posted: "This is very sad news. Sorry to hear this Trish and Kelly. Some great memories over the years. End of an era for sure. Wishing you all well in the future. R.I.P Liam."

SEE ALSO: 'It’s just totally unacceptable' - Kilkenny cemetery back in the headlines 

The pub not only provided a space for the local community to connect, but also gave many local musicians a platform to showcase their talents, and hosted many fundraisers for good causes.

DECLINING PUB NUMBERS

The news comes after a recent report revealed that 57 pubs in Kilkenny have closed their doors since 2005, a reduction of 25.2% from 226 to 169 in a 19 year period.

The closures in Kilkenny are closely reflected in the decline around the country with the number of pubs nationally falling by over 2,100 from 8,617 to 6,498, a drop of 24.6%.

All 26 counties of the Republic of Ireland saw a fall in pub numbers with an average of 112 shutting every year, a figure which rose to 128 in the five year period since 2019 and the onset of Covid-19 pandemic.

DON'T MISS: 'I can’t please everyone' - celebrity Kilkenny chef opens up

The hospitality industry supports 270,000 people nationwide, including 6,600 in Carlow and Kilkenny, something which CEO of the Vintners’ Federation of Ireland, Pat Crotty, highlights as a key impact of the increasing pub closures in the county.

“57 fewer pubs in Kilkenny basically means 57 families who used to make a living out of the pub trade are gone,” he says.

“The pubs aren’t just numbers, they aren’t just businesses, in virtually every case they were family businesses,” he adds.

As well as being devastating for the business owners themselves, the closure of pubs also greatly affects wider communities, especially in rural areas, as yet another social outlet is lost.

SEE ALSO: Five Kilkenny hospitality employers awarded ‘Great Place to Work’ status

“Smaller communities have lost their garda station, their shop, their post office, they’ve probably even lost their petrol station at this stage. There’s nothing in a lot of places except the pub,” Crotty outlined.

“You can think of all the places where the pub is virtually the last thing left as the anchor to the community for socialising and if that went it would create fierce isolation.”

FOR MORE LOCAL NEWS, CLICK HERE