Mary Farrell and Jack Whelan of The Coin Off Licence on Bridge Street. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
GOOD FRIDAY is one of only two days in the year when alcohol is not permitted to be sold in pubs and off licences.
For some, the rule is archaic and affects business badly over a bank holiday weekend.
For others, they feel the rule is a link with tradition and is not too much to ask people abstain from alcohol for one of the two days of the year where it is not sold openly.
Yesterday, we asked three people working in off-licences in town what they thought about the rule and how it affects them. First we spoke to Stephen Palfry, owner of the Castle Off Licence in Boherbee.
“To be honest – and I know this is a selfish opinion – but I’m quite happy with the rule, because it’s a day off for us where we can relax and we don’t lose much trade,” he said.
“I can understand the feeling that the rule might be outdated. It’s a problem for tourists that are coming into the country and might want to have a drink on Good Friday or people who want to have a drink with their meal out at a restaurant perhaps.”
The exemption rule means that quite often, customers at off licences might stock up on more alcohol then they would normally.
“There is a fear factor where people buy more than they need, so they may get three units instead of two units,” he said.
In The Coin Off-Licence on Bridge Street, owner Jack Whelan was adamant that the law would continue, both for commercial reasons and tradition.
A sign on the door of the Castle Off Licence warns there will be no alcohol served on Good Friday. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
“I think it’s ok to close tomorrow. It’s a tradition, it’s part of our tradition and our church. I don’t see any point in changing it. If I had a pub I might say something different though,” he said.
“There’s 363 other days of the year where people can get drink so can’t they get enough of it in that time?” Jack said.
“It’s always a busy day for us, but if you put today and tomorrow together, it’s about the same. Some people do buy more than they need. It’s a bit like Christmas Eve, they’d swear you were going to be closed for a month!” he said.
Working behind the counter in Fine Wines in Manor is Greg Stepien, who is originally from Poland finds the whole thing a bit strange.
“Yeah, it is a bit crazy, I wanted to head to town today and do some business, but couldn’t because we were too busy,” he said.
“We don’t have anything like this in Poland. Alcohol can be bought all year round 24/7, which is crazy as well I suppose,” said Greg.
There has been a big push this year from vintners and the hospitality industry to have the alcohol ban on Good Friday overturned.
Could this be the last year of old law?
