Republic to sell alcohol on Good Friday in 91-year first

MASS pub crawls are being organised in the Republic as pubs prepare to serve alcohol on Good Friday for the first time in 91 years.

The ban on the serving of alcohol on the holy day, which was introduced as a sign of religious respect, had been cited by sup- porters as part of Ireland’s “national identity”.

However, those who backed a change in the law, which has become controversial in recent years, said the ban did not fit well in a changing country and was damaging for tourism.

The restriction remains in place in Northern Ireland, meaning pubs and clubs here will miss out on a payday estimated to be worth £16m. Last year, Hospitality Ulster predicted an exodus to the Republic to celebrate the new law.

Legislation was passed in the Dáil yesterday and will soon be signed into law by Irish president Michael D Higgins.

The changed law means that pubs will be free to open on March 30 — the date Good Friday falls on this year — with events and pub crawls being organised online.

Dublin website Publin has already organised a crawl at €15 a head.

John Geraghty (32), who has run the site for the past seven years, said he expected big interest.

The Boar’s Head in Dublin will make history as one of the first pubs in the country to open on the holy day. Being among the few pubs in the capital to hold an early morning licence, the watering-hole will start serving pints from 7am.

Ecstatic Boar’s Head owner Hugh Hourican said guests would receive their first Guinness free of charge.

“It’s history in the making and certainly a long time coming,” he added.