The Great Irish Pub Ride rolls into Mayo as ‘The Thinking Drinkers’ champion local pubs
Award-winning drinks experts to visit Mayo pubs during nine-day cycle from Mizen Head to Malin Head celebrating Ireland’s pub culture
Mayo’s famous pub culture is set to take centre stage as award-winning drinks writers and campaigners Ben McFarland and Tom Sandham, better known as The Thinking Drinkers, bring their nationwide pub celebration to the county as part of The Great Irish Pub Ride.
The pair have embarked on a nine-day tandem bicycle journey from Mizen Head in Cork to Malin Head in Donegal, visiting more than 40 pubs along the way in a campaign designed to highlight the importance of local pubs as social and community hubs.
Mayo is one of eight counties included on the route, with the cyclists to go through the county on Wednesday (June 10) and Thursday (June 11). The duo is set to call to the renowned John McHale’s pub in Castlebar during their travels.
Supported by Guinness 0.0 and the Vintners’ Federation of Ireland (VFI), the initiative aims to celebrate the evolving role of Irish pubs and the communities they serve, while also shining a light on the challenges facing rural publicans.
Speaking ahead of the Mayo visit, John McHale of John McHale’s said the local pub continues to play a vital role in community life.
“For generations, John McHale’s has been a place where people gather, keep in touch and celebrate life’s big and small moments together,” he said. “The local pub remains one of the most important social spaces in any community and we’re proud of the role it continues to play here in Mayo.”
“We’re delighted to welcome The Thinking Drinkers and support this celebration of local Irish pub culture,” he added. “As the way customers socialise continues to evolve, having options like Guinness 0.0 means everyone can still be part of those shared pub moments, whatever the occasion.”
Throughout the journey, McFarland and Sandham will meet publicans and local communities to discuss how pubs are adapting to changing social habits while continuing to provide a place for connection, conversation, music and culture.
The campaign comes as new research by Ipsos B&A, commissioned by Diageo Ireland, found that non-alcoholic drinks are helping more people stay connected to pub life, with pubs and restaurants accounting for two-thirds of all non-alcoholic drink occasions.
Speaking about the initiative, The Thinking Drinkers said Irish pubs remain at the heart of local communities.
“We’ve spent years celebrating pubs, but cycling across Ireland feels especially meaningful. The local pub here is more than somewhere to enjoy a drink — it’s often the social heartbeat of the community and one of Ireland’s most important third spaces,” they said.
“It’s where stories are shared, friendships are formed and people come together. Pubs are adapting, but their importance hasn’t changed.”
The pair are also taking on a unique challenge during the ride — reaching the final pub of each day by 5.59pm, a tribute to Guinness’ founding year of 1759.
The Great Irish Pub Ride follows the success of The Thinking Drinkers’ 2025 Great British Pub Ride and is expected to draw attention to pubs across the country as summer tourism gets underway.