You Know You’re in Ireland When…

People tell you to stockpile on alcohol thursday because on Good Friday all the pubs and off-licences are closed…

Ireland, a predominantly Catholic country, prohibits all alcohol from being sold on Good Friday. Banks and public institutions are closed on this day, however it is not an official bank holiday (i.e. public holiday), so many offices and other workplaces remain open. All pubs and many restaurants in Ireland close for the duration of the day – it is similar to Christmas Day in this regard. This tradition has come under criticism of late, with secular businesses claiming a loss in earnings by way of a religious festival.

Shocking, right?!

And I work in one of the mentioned workplaces that remain open on Good Friday…

It’s a bit unfair. A lot of people have the day off from work, which would be a great excuse to go to the pub even earlier, and they’re all closed. No wonder there’s criticism about it. We’re in a crisis, so forget the religious stuff and let people consume

I’m guessing that Thursday night will be quite crazy, then. No work and no drinking on Friday must mean extra drinking on Thursday. Or maybe on Saturday? And will the supermarket be overcrowded with those that couldn’t quench their thirst elsewhere?

At least Monday is a bank holiday and I get a long weekend anyway, so not everything is bad.