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I sent this post to an AA friend in Ireland. Thought you folks might be
interested in his response:
Nancy Olson
The licencening laws in the Republic of Ireland are about to be changed
next month . Opening hours will be longer - by two hours( I think) every
evening during the summer period .
This has been on the agenda for years and the general public seem to be
very happy about it - it is slowly coming into line with the rest of the
Europe (the world ) and the changes are supposed to cater for the millions
of tourists who flock to our shores every year.
The Public House plays a huge part in Irish social interaction (pub
culture) and some say the longer hours just may have a beneficial impact
on alcohol abuse.
Irish people tend to gulp their drinks (lack of time ! at least I did ) and
it is believed that the extra time will encourage people to change their
habits and couple their drinking with a meal .
On a social/entertaining level the Pub is the magnet or the meeting place
(probably not unique to Ireland) - it was a necessity for me .
I don't think we have any more or less alcoholics in Ireland per capita to
the rest of the world . The Irish psyche in unique in many ways and our
attitude to drink is somewhat more relaxed or maybe that should read less
informed .
Nevertheless , as someone on the outside looking in and having been on the
other side of the fence , my journey is still on going , thank God. I
hope all this makes some sense - it is written off the top of my head .
Thank you once again for all the information and I am really looking
forward to meeting you in Minneapolis . The web-site has given a new and
exciting dimension to my sobriety and AA .
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