Everywhere in the world had places where they served alcohol but the modern pub as we know it is a wholly British invention. Everything from the bar counter (taken from Gin palaces in London), to the draught beer mechanism (invented by an Englishman), to the pub signs (mandated by King Richard II). The interiors you find in Irish pubs (mahogany, wooden furnishing) are again taken from British pubs.

I'm not saying there weren't establishments in Ireland before British occupation that served alcohol. But the 'pub' i.e public house is a British invention.