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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
National
Michelle Cullen

New cheapest Irish pub contender with pints for less than €3.50 but you won't be allowed in

You may have noticed that the price of a pint in your local pub has shot up in recent years, leading to a few quiet ones with a friend becoming a costly affair.

Amazingly some rare finds in Ireland still offer a cool or creamy pint for less than €4.

Helen's Bar in Kilmackillogue in Co Kerry has often been praised as having the cheapest pint of Guinness in the country, costing punters just €3.90 for a sup of the black stuff.

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However, a new contender for a bargain pint has now entered the running.

According to records released under Freedom of Information Laws, military personnel and their guests can buy pints for as little as €3.10.

Unfortunately, the low prices are of little help to the everyday pubgoer as the military bars are not open to the general public.

Empty pints of Guinness await collection on a table at The Last Poet bar during St Patrick's Day celebrations in Melbourne on March 17, 2022. (gettyimages.ie)

However, a small loophole means that civilians can attend the bars provided they have an invitation from Defence Force personnel.

In total, there are 45 bars located across the country, with members of the Defence Forces eligible to make the most of the unheard-of value.

Other figures released showed that a gin and tonic cost just €3.10 in the barracks boozers, while bottles of Heineken and Budweiser retail for €2.40 and shots of Jägermeister priced at just €1.90.

Gin and vodka retail for just €2. However, if you are fond of a glass of whiskey or brandy, you would have to pay slightly more at €2.20 and €2.40, respectively.

Premium gins like Bombay Sapphire cost €2.30.

The drinks prices were correct as of June.

The news comes as the Government is to consider later opening hours for bars and nightclubs.

The proposal will be made in the new Sale of Alcohol Bill to be introduced by Justice Minister Helen McEntee next month.

Ms McEntee will introduce the massive reforms of the licensing laws as part of a wider government plan to jumpstart the country's night-time economy.

Although no official closing times have yet been approved or decided upon, major cities all over Europe that Dublin competes with for tourists are already open until up to 6am, while 4am is regular almost everywhere.

One of the main aims of the new night-time economy plan is for us to compete with other European destinations.

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