Best pint in Clare?

I was sad to hear that as well. I didn't drink there often but it would have been nice to drop in one last time.

Saw builders clearing out Navins in Clarecastle the other day as well. Shame to see the locations with some character (remember that giant gun for shooting ducks or geese or whatever it was?) disappearing.

I hate the new Brogans. It looks like a theme pub and the lightings darker than an Abercrombie outlet.

Just using this thread since I didn't want to create a new one for it, but the owners of Powers Pub in Clarecastle are retiring and selling.

Now I can't help but feel a lot of the decision is attributed to the dying trade rather than simply wanting to retire, and it will officially leave Clarecastle with just 1 pub! (O'Reillys - Formerly Navins)

I'm surprised they never started doing pub grub there - There definitely is an opening for something like that on the outskirts of Ennis.

Is The Magpie gone?

Been gone for couple of years now. I think the premises is still for sale

Ya look, I'd completely agree and I'm sure that was a decision that Powers and other pubs can't take lightly with their history as a 'Pub'. I'm sure there can be some middle-ground. Margins just too small now for Alcohol that it's completely unsustainable for 'quieter' pubs unless they are charging a fortune.

Who said it was closing?

But that doesn't mean it's closing.

Here's what you said.

"and it will officially leave Clarecastle with just 1 pub! (O'Reillys - Formerly Navins)"

But you said it will leave the village with just one pub? Am I missing somethiong?

Jaysis, I didn't say there isn't demand for a 2nd bar in Clarecastle, but I stated a fact that they are retiring and PERHAPS it's no coincidence that Clarecastle is down to 2 pubs (soon to be 1 unless one comes in Powers' place). It always feels like they do well on a Saturday night but that's about it. They don't do food. 1 good night a week can't be sustainable.

I literally said in my original post by the way that a bar that does food may fare better than a flat-out pub.

I'm not saying they have to sell food. Clearly though the demand for the pint itself and/or the pub culture has gone rurally. It can't all be a coincidence that more-and-more 'pubs' are leaving the industry. Simply saying the 'owners probably didn't have much drive' is very simplistic and a cop out. Can say for a fact they absolutely love it.

You mention the catchment population - While Clarecastle has a decent population, the amount of younger families/non-nationals doesn't scream 'pub goer'. Hence maybe why the Magpie Bar closed after 22 years in Business; Powers (as it currently exists) is closing after more than 100 years in Business. Another pub I can't remember the name of (opposite the Post Office) also closed.

I'm not sure how this conversation has gotten to here. All I wanted to note above in my original post was that Powers who have been in business for over 100 years are retiring and the premises is up for sale and it's sad to see them go.

Haven't been there in years but lads I work with say the pint is excellent up there and apparently a great place to watch a match on big screen.

Used to frequent Bunratty a lot but Nelly's is gone to pot. Only interested in tourists and the pint is overpriced and soft.

The creamery is under new management but is fairly dull atmosphere wise, over reliant on food sales. Pint isn't great.

Best pints in the area are Casey's and Gilly's in SMB, Hunters lodge and o Neil's in Newmarket and the honk and crabtree in the more rural areas of the parish.