A second-hundred-and-twenty-year-old pub chain has announced it is to close down after losing almost a million pounds in a single year.
The Irish Pub and Brewery, which opened its doors in a pub in County Clare, has reported a loss of over £50,000.
The loss is down on last year’s loss of £70,000, but the loss has forced the closure of two pubs, the Laganagh Hotel and the Old Dubliner, in the County Clare town.
In a statement, the Irish Pub said it was in the process of shutting down the four pubs, which were at the centre of a court case involving the National Trust for Ireland.
The statement said the loss of money had put a huge strain on the pub and it was not “in the best interests of any individual to continue operating.”
The statement continued: “The decision to close the four properties is a result of an increase in the cost of the property due to the closure.”
The closures come after a series of high-profile cases in recent years.
In April, the National Library of Ireland closed three branches and a bookshop, as part of a “major overhaul”.
Last year, Irish Pub closed the Old Irish Pub in County Mayo, following an allegation of animal cruelty.
And in February, a judge ruled that the pub could reopen after the death of a customer.
The National Trust Ireland said it would look to make a profit from the sale of the pub.