Staff at Sean’s Bar, Ireland’s oldest pub, have joined the ranks of all the rest – making renewed calls for Government support on the five-month anniversary of their closure.
Ireland’s oldest pub, Sean’s Bar is one of Athlone Town’s most popular attractions. However, as with many other pubs across Ireland, they’ve been closed for an unprecedented number of months. Five to be exact.
Tracing its roots back to 900AD, the place has welcomed many a passerby and weary traveller in for a pint and having to stay closed is a bitter pill to swallow.
Joining fellow publicans in calling for Government support, staff shared a photo of the much-loved local, calling for support, not sympathy.
“Sean’s Bar is closed 5 months today. Over 3500 other pubs throughout the country remain closed and it doesn’t look like we will re-open anytime soon. Along with the VFI & LVA we are calling on government to provide meaningful support packages for the industry #Supportnotsympathy”
Sean's Bar is closed 5 months today. Over 3500 other pubs throughout the country remain closed and it doesn't look like we will re-open anytime soon. Along with the VFI & LVA we are calling on government to provide meaningful support packages for the industry #Supportnotsympathy pic.twitter.com/VbJWbmx8pm
— Sean's Bar Ireland's Oldest Pub (@seansbarathlone) August 15, 2020
A joint statement from the two Vintners organisations released during the week said that publicans are not optimistic that pubs will be allowed to reopen at the end of the month. Initially due to reopen on August 10th, that date has since been pushed back to August 31st.
Header image via Twitter/Sean’s Bar Ireland’s oldest pub
