Up to 160 jobs have been lost in Galway city with the closure of a number of pubs, off licences and a nightclub.
Staff at the Cellar Bar, Cuba nightclub, Bar 903, and the Harvest off-licence chain were given the news yesterday.
They were told that the company which controls the venues and off-licences has gone into liquidation.
Mayor of Galway Mike Crowe said the news was a big blow for the city. He added: "If there's anything we can do at local authority level, we will not be found wanting."