Traditionally, the Irish are renowned as being big drinkers, but figures published by the Drinks Industry Group of Ireland (DIGI) would suggest that this is not the case anymore.
 
Drink sales have dropped by 11 percent last year alone, and the Irish are now drinking less alcohol than they were in 1995.

In the last 18 months, 15,000 jobs people have now lost their jobs.
 
The majority of the jobs lost were in bars, hotels and restaurants. However, many barley farmers have been left with useless crops, as there is less demand for beer production.
 
Over 1,500 pubs have closed in the last five years and a further 2,000 are expected to close in the next 10 years.
 
Many blame the recession and the Celtic Tiger hangover, but Ireland's mindset and social values have changed in recent years.
 
It is no longer socially acceptable to frequent a bar more than a couple of times a week.
 
The price of the pint and Ireland’s smoking ban has forced many people to drink at home.

DIGI says that the cut in excise duty in last Decembers budget did little to stimulate alcohol sales.