Friday 2nd April 2010 was Good Friday and the pubs opened in Limerick to serve alcholol.
The rugby match between between Munster and Leinster which was expected to provide a boost to the local economy was reason for the historic decision.
Pubs in Ireland do not open on the two most holy days in the year. Christmas Day and Good Friday which is a total surprise to many toursists. (See http://www.euro-rentavilla.com/country/dublin_at_Christmas.asp ) Shops can open as normal however. The city's 110 pubs were allowed to be open.
According to The Seattle Times " Such a judgment would have been unthinkable in the Ireland of old, where the Catholic Church enjoyed unquestioned authority from the public and deference from the government. Commentators were quick to suggest that Thursday's judgment represented a watershed in the shifting relations between church and state in this rapidly secularizing land.
"This could be the beginning of the end of Good Friday, because now legislation will have to be changed," said a jubilant David Hickey, one of the Limerick pub owners who successfully sued the state for the right to do business like any other Friday. "The option should be given to let publicans open if they want to and close if they want to. Today was a huge decision in that direction."
His side argued that keeping pubs shut for the match between hometown favorites Munster versus Dublin-based rivals Leinster would represent an economic sin in Limerick, a city suffering from exceptionally high unemployment following the shock closure of its major employer, a Dell Computers plant. Accountants testified that keeping the bars closed could cost the city an estimated euro7.3 million ($10 million) in lost income."
It will be interesting to see if there is now further pressure for all pubs in the Republic of Ireland to be open on Good Friday and even on Christmas Day!
"This could be the beginning of the end of Good Friday, because now legislation will have to be changed," said a jubilant David Hickey, one of the Limerick pub owners who successfully sued the state for the right to do business like any other Friday. "The option should be given to let publicans open if they want to and close if they want to. Today was a huge decision in that direction."
His side argued that keeping pubs shut for the match between hometown favorites Munster versus Dublin-based rivals Leinster would represent an economic sin in Limerick, a city suffering from exceptionally high unemployment following the shock closure of its major employer, a Dell Computers plant. Accountants testified that keeping the bars closed could cost the city an estimated euro7.3 million ($10 million) in lost income."
It will be interesting to see if there is now further pressure for all pubs in the Republic of Ireland to be open on Good Friday and even on Christmas Day!
What is the current situation regarding opening on Christmas Day and Good Friday in Northern Ireland. Please reply to this blog.
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