Opinion: alcohol restriction on Good Friday a hangover from Ireland's religious past

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It's become a yearly tradition in Ireland to bemoan the fact that on one day of the year, for archaic and outdated reasons, people are not legally able to purchase alcohol in a pub or other licensed premises.  The collective sigh is heaved both by people looking for the same casual drinks they have every Friday, and the staff of off-licenses the length and breadth of the country.

It is, of course, 'Good' Friday.

This Thursday will be one of the busiest nights of the year for the off-license trade. In a previous life, Publin worked in one of these premises, and we remember all too well the queues out the door and the insatiable thirst for alcohol to supply the traditional ‘we can’t drink in the pub house party.’

The response to our yearly complaints is usually 'sure it’s only one day of the year.' It is, but the argument against is that the restriction is a hangover from Ireland’s religious past that most people no longer practise – or at least don’t wish to abide by.

Since Publin started, one of our most popular blog posts has been our guide to Good Friday. We get many messages asking if pubs are opening at midnight, or if there’s anywhere at all they can go and have a drink. Our answer this year is that the Gardai don’t appear to be granting licenses as they have in the past and that yes, there are some options available to you.

Several weeks ago we were contacted by an English stag party who had booked a weekend in Dublin without realising that pubs would be shut on the Friday they arrived. Sure it is only one day a year, but visitors aren't necessarily here more than once. Sampling an Irish pub is a big pull for foreign tourists, even if we don't put it on the tourism posters, and the option of going to a house party simply doesn't exist for visitors.

The Intoxicating Liquor Act of 1927 set the wheels in motion for this religiously motivated prohibition on drinking on certain days of the year. It may come as a surprise to learn that this prohibition once applied to Saint Patricks Day! Luckily there were some exemptions written into the Act that were probably designed so that locations where upstanding members of society (as deemed by the state and church) could still imbibe. Us plebeians may now take advantage of these rules from a bygone era.

If you do want to buy alcohol legally on Good Friday, here are your options:

• Take a flight or a ferry journey, as these are exempt from the Intoxicating Liquor Act.
  
• Go to a horse or greyhound race meeting. Though no doubt synonymous with drunken debauchery in the eyes of those that crafted the law, these venues are allowed to serve alcohol. That does not necessarily mean that they will, but they are allowed to. Again, call ahead.
  
• Hotels are allowed to serve alcohol, so long as it is accompanied by a meal. I think it’s fair to say that hotels will usually throw out a few sandwiches to cover their behinds in that regard.
  
• Join the military. Military canteens are spared the toil of looking for an open pub on good Friday  Firearms and alcohol are obviously a good match.
  
• Train stations. You must have a train ticket to be served. How much does a child fare cost these days? Madigans in Connolly station will be open for the day. As we said, just buy an inter city train ticket.
  
• Traditionally, theatre licenses and private members clubs (associations and places with their own clubhouse bar) have been able to serve alcohol on the day, but this can be even more patchwork than the other options - definitely inquire before turning up.
  

This issue isn’t serious enough to merit a campaign, unless there are going to be other amendments to the Intoxicating Liquor Act. The issue could be brought up in conjunction with the debate over pub and bar licensing hours, to bring Ireland more in line with continental standards.

For now it’s safe to say that people seem to see Good Friday as a challenge to overcome through the early purchase of alcohol and the throwing of house parties. We’ve learned time and time again that prohibition doesn’t work.

So Publin says enjoy your drink in one of the places we’ve listed above or the home you’ve made a 1920’s speakeasy of for one night only. At the end of the day, it’s about being allowed to make a choice as an adult.

Looking for a local? Publin.ie is Dublin's pub and price guide – take a look at the directory of more than 100 Dublin pubs.