Pubs in Clare have announced their temporary closures in an attempt to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
Despite the multiple warnings from leading health experts for people to reduce their social interactions, pubs across the county have been noticeably busy since Thursday night.
On Saturday night, a number of pubs within the county announced they would be suspending business amid the pandemic crisis which has already claimed two lives in Ireland.
Michael As in Miltown Malbay shut its doors on Saturday night. Publican David O’Brien said, “We are going to put people before pints and close until March 23rd in order to help keep our customers and staff healthy. This closure maybe extended depending on how the situation progresses both locally and nationally”.
Operated by Wolfe Tones GAA, The Goal Post Bar is closing from Sunday night onwards. A spokesperson for the Shannon club outlined, “We have come to a very difficult decision but we feel as part of the directive from Government & the GAA, ceasing all sporting activity; Wolfe Tones na Sionna as a community-based organisation have been left with no choice but to cease all activity in the astro turf, the hall and The Goal Post Bar.
“We will finish up on Sunday 15th March at closing time. There will be no live music or bingo this Sunday. We will review this decision again on the 29th March 2020 based on advice from both the Government and the GAA. We are closing for the safety of our staff, our members & all of our families”.
On Saturday night, The Greyhound Bar in Sixmilebridge announced it would remain shut until March 29th. Owners Jack and Deirdre Gleeson said, “We feel this is in the best interests of all of us. The HSE believes that groups of people meeting in an enclosed area is one that contributes to the expansion of the virus. Please look after yourselves and your families and we look forward to seeing you all soon again”.
Newmarket-on-Fergus based The Sports Bar also confirmed it would be no longer be pulling pints for the next few weeks. “We feel that it is impossible to implement the guidelines given to us by the VFI and other governing organisations to implement social distancing within the bar, there for we feel it is not morally acceptable to put anyone in unnecessary danger, given the recent scale of the covid-19 outbreak,” management outlined.
Flanagan’s Bar of Lahinch expected further clarify they admitted but have decided to close on Sunday night. “We had hoped to have gotten some further instructions from authorities by now but unfortunately none has been forthcoming. As of now we are not sure when we will be reopening as circumstances are changing rapidly but we hope this will pass shortly and we can all get back to normal”.
Lucas’ Bar and Considine’s Bar, both of which are situated on Parnell St in Ennis confirmed on Sunday that they would both be closing for the foreseeable future.
We thank everyone for the immense support that you have given us the last number of months and hope to see you all back very soon.
Evolution Nite Club in Shannon was one of the first in the country to decide to close earlier this week with The Queens Nightclub following suit. All upcoming gigs at Kenny’s Bar in Lahinch have been cancelled.
Details of other business closures and event cancellations throughout the county, can be found HERE.
