Record number of Mayo pubs for sale as push for housing escalates
by Caoimhín Rowland
A STAGGERING 23 pubs are currently up for sale in Mayo, marking a significant shift in the region's social landscape.
Pubs in this county listed on property website, Daft.ie, has steadily grown after publicans continue to face difficulties keeping their trade alive amidst rising costs.
Despite this, a planning exemption to convert pubs into homes is being viewed as a shot in the arm for the county’s housing woes.
The closure of many rural pubs has however prompted concerns from a local representative about the future of rural nightlife and the economic pressures facing small businesses.
Independent Ireland councillor Chris Maxwell has expressed alarm over the trend, attributing the closures to a combination of rising operational costs and government taxes on alcohol.
"Nightlife in rural areas is being decimated," recently elected Maxwell stated.
The shift, however, is not just a sign of economic strain but also a deliberate move towards addressing Mayo’s housing crisis.
According to newly released figures from the Department of Housing, 16 of the 23 pubs once for sale in Mayo are slated for conversion into residential properties, potentially creating around 40 new homes.
This move is part of a broader national effort to repurpose vacant commercial spaces into housing.
The statistics, unveiled by the Minister for Housing, Local Government, and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien Fianna Fáil TD, highlight a nationwide trend.
Between 2018 and 2023, local authorities across Ireland received 1,165 notifications to convert vacant commercial premises, including pubs, into homes. These projects could result in 2,716 new residential units, contributing to the government's "Housing for All" strategy.
"Converting empty buildings into forever homes is a key component of Housing for All," Minister O’Brien said. "These figures show that policies easing the planning burden for those wishing to convert unoccupied commercial premises, including pubs, into residential use are helping to increase supply, tackle vacancy, and renew urban areas."
O’Brien also noted the tangible benefits of such conversions, recalling his visits to counties where former pubs had been transformed into five or six new apartments.
"It makes sense to provide the exemptions and to make it easier for people to convert commercial buildings into high-quality homes," he added.
Minister of State for Planning and Local Government, Alan Dillon, echoed this sentiment, calling the conversion of vacant properties a "catalyst for regeneration and revitalisation" in rural communities.
"Bringing vibrancy back to these areas is crucial," Dillon said, highlighting the potential of such projects to breathe new life into towns and villages across Mayo.