The closing down of pubs around the country is "regrettable" for Irish society, C&C chief executive Maurice Pratt said yesterday at the company's annual general meeting.

Asked by a shareholder if the board was worried by the high rate of closures, Mr Pratt said it was "regrettable in the context of Irish society, but that is the way the trend is going".

C&C chairman Tony O'Brien said the company was "obviously concerned about the gradual demise of the pub", particularly in rural areas, where the closure of petrol stations and post offices was leaving rural communities more isolated, he said.

The Vintners' Federation of Ireland (VFI) said in May rural pubs were shutting down at the rate of one a day. It attributed closures to the smoking ban, drink-driving laws and high running costs.

Several long-standing pubs occupying prime locations in Dublin have also called last orders over the past 18 months - sold to apartment builders.

"There are going to be fewer pubs and petrol stations," Mr Pratt said. But he predicted bars in basements and first floors of apartment blocks may replace traditional public houses.

One in 10 long alcoholic drinks sold over the counter in Ireland is Bulmers, shareholders were told.