There is huge sadness and disappointment in the greater Abbeylara area following the forced closure of Crawford's bar due to Covid-19 restrictions.
Barney and Irene Lynch announced the closure on social media on Friday stating that due to the government's decision to defer the reopening of rural Irish pubs, they had been left with no option but to cease trading with immediate effect.
The North Longford pub has been a cornerstone of the community in Abbeylara for many years and despite being leased by numerous licensees over the last 20 years or so, it has rarely been closed.
Proprietor Barney Lynch was at the helm for the last three years and he says they just couldn't justify continuing the lease in the absence of any sort of certainty around reopening.
He says the closure is having a massive impact on people locally.
This is the full interview with Barney Lynch on Let's Talk with MaryClaire Grealy
