McLoughlin’s Bar, a fourth-generation family pub established in 1870 on Achill Island, faces an uncertain future as Josie McLoughlin, with no direct family to inherit the business, seeks a new custodian to continue its rich legacy.
Heineken is stepping in to help Josie find a suitable namesake, launching a global search as part of its 'Pub Succession' campaign to keep the McLoughlin name above the door.
Josie McLoughlin explains: "I have no one to leave the pub to, and I’d resigned myself to looking for a buyer outside the family and seeing my name being lost to history. That would just break my heart.
"The name McLoughlin is woven into the very fabric of this pub.
"The past 50 years have been incredibly fulfilling for me and I’d love to see that story continue, finding a McLoughlin descendant to take it forward.
"If I could guarantee the McLoughlin name would still be above the door of the pub in another 155 years, I’d die a happy man.”
Josie standing outside McLoughlin's on Achill Island.
"For the Love of Pubs"
Heineken's 'Pub Succession' campaign is a part of its ‘For the Love of Pubs’ programme in Ireland. Heineken says this significant investment reflects its belief in the vital role pubs play in Irish community life and its commitment to supporting their long-term sustainability.
Fiona Curtin, Marketing Director at Heineken Ireland, said: “'For the Love of Pubs' is more than just an investment; it’s a statement of intent.
"We believe that Irish pubs need to continue to be the thriving, beating heart of Irish communities, and we’re working in partnership with publicans to find refreshing ways to do business.
"We want to give back to the places that have given so much to Ireland's social fabric."
The global recruitment campaign for a McLoughlin successor will include billboards and digital advertising in cities with large Irish diasporas, from Times Square in New York to Sydney and Vietnam.
Heineken will offer a comprehensive succession package to the chosen candidate, to help them get their feet behind the bar, including mentorship, business support and initial investment guidance to ensure the pub remains a thriving part of the community.
Speaking about the initiative, Pat Crotty, CEO of the Vintners’ Federation of Ireland (VFI), said: “Rising costs, changing consumer habits and industry pressures have presented great challenges for some in the pub trade. But our industry is resilient, strong and ambitious.
"Heineken Ireland has always shown commitment to meaningful, long-term support for the industry, and never fails to find new and innovative ways of doing things.
"For the Love of Pubs feels like the right programme at the right time, to support an industry for a thriving future.”
Jason Cox, On Trade Commercial Director at Heineken® Ireland, added, “Pubs in Ireland are more than just places to enjoy a drink; they are living pieces of history and at the heart of their local communities.
"With many of these institutions facing uncertain futures, we want to rally the Irish diaspora, inspiring a new generation of pub owners to take on not just a business, but a cultural legacy.
"For those who have longed to reconnect with their Irish heritage, this is more than an investment; it’s a homecoming."
If you're a McLoughlin and dream of running an Irish pub, check out Heineken's Pub Succession site here.
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