Pub owners from Newmarket, County Cork, Ireland, who will remain closed as usual on Good Friday, pose for a photo Feb. 23. (CNS photo/Eamon Ward)
By Michael Kelly
Catholic News Service
DUBLIN — While Irish pubs will be allowed to open and serve alcohol on Good Friday, March 30, for the first time in 91 years, some pub owners have vowed to remain shut and observe the tradition.
President Michael D. Higgins signed the law change into effect in advance of the religious holiday this year after overwhelming support for the move in parliament.
The ban on serving alcohol on Good Friday has been in place since 1927, when lawmakers decided that the penitential nature of the day of fast and abstinence merited a public observance. However, in recent years, pub owners have claimed that the prohibition was having a detrimental effect on tourists visiting Ireland for Easter.
However, owners in at least two towns say they will remain shut.
In Drumconrath, County Meath — north of Dublin — the three local pub owners have joined forces to observe the Good Friday tradition. Dermot Muldoon, Pauline Fay and Pat Dempsey have declared they will honor the time-old tradition this year.
“Publicans get two days off in the whole year — just two — so we decided to keep that holiday as well as keeping up the tradition and having a bit of respect for our religion,” said Muldoon.
“We’ve received a load of support from our customers; after all it’s only one day,” he added. “We were known for closing on Good Friday throughout the world — it was something different about Ireland, and now that’s gone. Slowly, all the Irish traditions are being stripped.”
Pauline Fay of Fay’s Bar said the day enables bar owners to completely switch off and spend the day with family. She added: “Quality of life has no price. I always spent the day with my children and continue to do so.”