People often begin the year slightly sluggishly, with a thought about what would make their lives better. As we concoct aspirational to-do lists, attempt to shake the cobwebs off and creak into 2026, there should also be a collective aspiration: what would make all of our lives better?

One answer may seem a little frivolous, but it’s ultimately very important. We all need a vibrant and healthy social life that generates connection and expresses the kind of fun and pleasure that gives meaning to life. This is not just a personal goal, it’s an infrastructural issue, because a lot of it is about physical space.

Between 2005 and 2024, over 2,100 pubs closed around Ireland. The highest decrease has been in rural counties. For example, Longford, Laois and Westmeath have seen a 30 per cent decrease, whereas in Dublin, the drop is only 1.7 per cent. It’s not just about pubs, of course. The Irish amenities crisis is urban and rural. The pickings are still slim. We need far more dancefloors, theatres and gimmick-free cultural spaces that foster community and are artist-led.

In........

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