Pint I Want to buy alcohol in Ireland, but you’re not too familiar with the legislation?
Don’t panic: the rules are simple, but it’s crucial to know them.
Because on the Emerald Isle, alcohol is an important issue, part of Irish society, and one that is particularly well regulated by law.
It’s important to know that there are time limits for buying alcohol in Ireland.
And don’t expect to negotiate at the till if you’re out of line: on the Irish island, time is time! Want to find out more? Here we go!
With its Irish pubs and its many traditional beverages, Ireland has always had a solid reputation for good living and good drinking.
A cliché the country sometimes struggles to shake off, despite the many measures in place!
Make no mistake about it: although Ireland is famous for its beer, whiskey and even gin production, it’s also a country that takes the consumption of alcohol very seriously.
A fact that has been established for several years now, and which has put an end to many of the abuses seen in the past!
And although clichés are hard to shake off, the Irish’s relationship with alcoholic beverages has clearly mellowed over time!
We owe this progress to the Irish government, which decided several decades ago to put an end to certain excesses.
Many measures were taken to achieve this:
It’s a strategy that’s paying off, and one that many brewers, like Guinness, have followed, even releasing alcohol-free beers!
When it comes to the time-limited sale of alcohol today, it all began back in the years when a law known as the Licensing Act was passed.
This introduced the current hourly restrictions on the sale of alcohol at retail and in drinking establishments.
This legislation was put in place to regulate alcohol consumption more strictly and to combat the problems associated with excess, such as public disorder and road accidents.
Prior to this legislation, however, opening hours were even more restricted, particularly for the sale of alcohol on Sundays, which was only permitted after 2pm in stores.
The Licensing Act of 2000 extended opening hours, especially on Sundays, while retaining significant restrictions on certain days such as Good Friday and Christmas, when the sale of alcohol is prohibited.
Since then, there have been a few minor adjustments, but the basic principles of alcohol sales legislation have remained the same since the Act was introduced.
If you’re thinking of buying alcohol on Irish soil, it’s important to know that the sale of alcohol is regulated, and that opening hours vary according to the type of store or establishment.
Generally speaking, the following rules apply:
In short, don’t hesitate to think ahead if you want to buy a bottle of alcohol in a store.
Check the opening hours and make sure you respect the law (drinking on public roads is forbidden, excessive driving is severely punished, etc.).
Drink responsibly and in moderation.
Protect your health and always obey the law.
