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 .