Off-licences across the country this St Patrick's Day will open their doors later than expected.
Alcohol can be sold in off-licences from 10.30am Monday to Saturday, but that changes to 12.30pm on Sunday’s and St Patrick’s Day.
While those looking to purchase alcohol from an off-licence in Dublin city centre will find that they are subject to a 'voluntary ban' which will not see them open until 4pm in the afternoon due to the parade and festivities.
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Off-licences, including supermarket off-licences, are asked to not sell alcohol in an area from Parnell Square to St Stephen’s Green until 4pm on Friday.
The ban has been implemented on St Patrick's Day for a number of years in an effort to combat crowd-control and alcohol-related incidents.
Gardai have confirmed they will be enforcing restrictions on the sale of alcohol in Dublin city centre. Therefore off-licences across the country, excluding Dublin city centre, and will begin trading from 12.30pm this Friday morning, with the option of staying open until 10pm.
The sale of alcohol in bars and restaurants will not be affected. The Licensed Vintners Association said despite this all pubs and bars in the city centre would open for the “full permitted trading hours on St Patrick's Day – 12.30 pm to 12.30 am."
It comes as reforms have been suggested by Justice Minister Helen McEntee, who want to bring in measures to modernise some of Ireland's antiquated licencing laws, with many stretching back 200 years.
If the legislation is approved, off-licences will be able to open their doors from 10.30am on future St Patrick's Day mornings.
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