THE importance of pubs to Ireland’s rural communities is the subject of major study to be carried out by experts from the University of York.

Dr Ignazio Cabras, of the York Management School, previously spent six years working on a similar study on pubs in the UK, and will now be turning to Ireland, for a project funded by the Vintners Federation of Ireland.

Dr Cabras said: “In both Ireland and England, rural pubs are in serious decline. However, they often have a vital role to play in both the social and economic wellbeing of a rural community.

“From providing an outlet for the sale of local produce, to a meeting place for a local sports club, to a focal point for a charitable activity, rural pubs are often at the heart of the rural community.”

The researchers are hoping to present the results from the rural Irish pubs study, and a separate 14-month study into rural pubs in England, funded by the British Academy, at the Beeronomics Conference 2013.

Held in September at the University of York, the four-day international conference will cover topics related to beer and brewing including economics, law, policy, marketing and consumption and innovation.