- The Pub That Refused To Die - a documentary from Gar O’Rourke - tells the remarkable true story of 26 ordinary locals from Kilteely, Ireland, who banded together to save their local pub
- The documentary offers a window into a broader global issue, with a pub vanishing every single day across the UK and Ireland and communities losing vital spaces to connect
- Heineken stepped in to help the Kilteely pub with advice, training and support and is now launching a new resource hub to help other prospective publicans keep their community hubs alive
- Through retelling this story, Heineken® aims to empower communities everywhere to protect the local pubs that shape their social lives
- Watch the documentary on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JYVkLZgjBS
DUBLIN, March 02, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A powerful new documentary capturing the true story of one village’s fight to save its last local pub premiered this past weekend at the Dublin International Film Festival.
Directed by award-winning Irish filmmaker Gar O’Rourke - whose film Sanatorium was selected as Ireland’s entry for Best International Feature Film at the 2026 Academy Awards - The Pub That Refused To Die chronicles how 26 residents of Kilteely, Ireland, came together to save the heart of their community before it was lost for good.
Last year, the County Limerick village (population 214) was facing the closure of its only surviving pub, Aherns - after already seeing its shops, post office and other pubs shuttered. When long-time publican Noreen Ahern, nearing retirement and working close to 90 hours a week, could no longer keep the doors open, the village stood to lose its final social hub.
Rather than let that happen, 26 locals from all walks of life - including a barrister, dairy farmer, carpenter and gardener - took matters into their own hands. With no hospitality experience, they rallied together to buy, reopen and relaunch the newly-named ‘Street Bar’ last summer.
When The Street Bar’s local Heineken® Sales and Service Rep Shane Boland, learned of their efforts, he ensured the brewer stepped in to support. Shane, who features in the new documentary, worked closely with the new publicans to provide business advice, support, barstaff training through the Heineken® Ahhh-cademy and ensured they were set up with the right tools and equipment to help them not only reopen, but begin rebuilding the business for the long term. Today, the renewed pub has since become a thriving community space once again, a symbol of pride and what people can achieve together.
To shine a light on the story, the international brewer enlisted the help of Gar O’Rouke to create The Pub That Refused To Die to showcase the determination, resilience and collective spirit that transformed a looming closure into a symbol of community pride.
While the film focuses on one Irish village, the issue is far bigger. Pubs and bars are closing at an alarming rate in Ireland, with an estimated 2,100 pubs closing between 2005 and 2025 - around one every three to four days* - while the picture across the UK is even more stark with 375 closures recorded across England, Wales and Scotland in 2025 alone - up from 350 in 2024** - the equivalent of nearly one pub shutting every day.
Sociologists describe pubs as essential “third places” - informal settings beyond home and work where communities connect, share stories and maintain everyday social bonds. Research shows that when these spaces disappear, communities lose far more than a business; opportunities for social interaction are eroded, and feelings of isolation increase.
In the past year, a growing number of local communities across the UK and Ireland have come together to save pubs at risk of closure - pooling resources, forming co-operatives and taking ownership of spaces that matter deeply to local life. While closures continue, these stories point to a renewed belief in the pub as something worth fighting for.
To help prospective publicans, Heineken® is launching a new online resource hub to provide tools, guidance and inspiration to help communities safeguard their local pubs - and encourage others to follow in Kilteely’s footsteps.
Gardener Noel O’Dea, who never pulled a pint before spearheading the rescue of The Street Bar commented: “The reopening was something really special. The support has been unbelievable, and months later the pub is still busy. That’s the real proof people didn’t come out of curiosity, they came because they needed a place to feel connected. It wasn’t easy getting there, but the community, and industry support including valuable training from Heineken®, showed us The Street Bar is bigger than a building, it’s community. Don’t leave your local pub’s future in someone else’s hands. Take control of it. Build a strong team, be selective about who you bring in, and surround yourself with people who have the drive to see it through. It can feel daunting but The Street Bar is proof that it’s possible.”
Gar O’Rourke, award-winning Irish Filmmaker added: “When I first heard the story of the Kilteely locals coming together to save their pub, I knew it would be a special film to make. It’s a true underdog story, rooted in community, resilience and quiet determination. When Heineken® reached out about helping bring the story to life, it felt like a natural fit given their long-standing connection to pubs and the communities around them. Spending weeks on the ground with the people of Kilteely, the real reward became the process itself - working directly with a community that met us with warmth, generosity and great humour. That spirit runs through the film, and it’s what ultimately makes this story so powerful.”
Nabil Nasser, Global Head of Heineken® said: “Pubs have always been where real social connection happens, and that’s something we’ve championed at Heineken® for generations. The Pub That Refused To Die is a powerful reminder of what communities stand to lose when these spaces vanish and what becomes possible when people come together to protect them.
Through initiatives like Pub Museums, Pub Succession, and Starring Bars, we’ve shown our long standing commitment to supporting the places that keep social life alive. We were proud to support the villagers of Kilteely and help hero their story, one that celebrates the simple, human beauty of social connection, and the pubs at the heart of it.”
The Pub That Refused To Die is the next chapter of For the Love of Pubs, a series of initiatives from Heineken® that celebrate and support pub culture across Ireland and beyond.
Notes to editors:
For more information, images and interview requests, please contact:
heineken@wearetheromans.com
References:
*The Drinks Industry Group, July 2025
**British Beer and Pub Association, July 2025
About Heineken®
HEINEKEN® is the world's most international brewer. It is the leading developer and marketer of premium beer and cider brands. Led by the Heineken® brand, the Group has a portfolio of more than 300 international, regional, local and specialty beers and ciders. We are committed to innovation, long-term brand investment, disciplined sales execution and focused cost management. Through "Brewing a Better World", sustainability is embedded in the business. HEINEKEN® has a well-balanced geographic footprint with leadership positions in both developed and developing markets. We employ over 85,000 employees and operate breweries, malteries, cider plants and other production facilities in more than 70 countries. Heineken® N.V. and Heineken® Holding N.V. shares trade on the Euronext in Amsterdam. Prices for the ordinary shares may be accessed on Bloomberg under the symbols HEIA NA and HEIO NA and on Reuters under HEIN.AS and HEIO.AS. HEINEKEN® has two sponsored level 1 American Depositary Receipt (ADR) programmes: Heineken® N.V. (OTCQX: HEINY) and Heineken® Holding N.V. (OTCQX: HKHHY)
Photos accompanying this announcement are available at
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d4cc44b9-4c71-48b7-9fb9-e027d2589b2f
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/471f9ea5-24c5-44ca-855d-96afda4b6501
