Gardai to enforce restrictions on the sale of alcohol in Dublin city centre on St Patrick’s Day
No off-licences, including supermarket off-licences, can sell alcohol in an area from Parnell Square to St Stephen’s Green until 4pm
Voluntary restrictions on the sale of alcohol on all off-licences in premises in Dublin city centre will be in place until 4pm on St Patrick’s Day.
The ban will see no off-licences, including supermarket off-licences, sell alcohol in an area from Parnell Square to St Stephen’s Green until 4pm on Friday 17 March.
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.
According to gardaí, this is aimed at discouraging street drinking during the family-friendly parade and will include a prohibition of alcohol taken into the city centre on public transport.
Pubs have confirmed that they will be operating as normal on St Patrick’s Day.
A spokesperson for the Licensed Vintners Association confirmed that “all pubs in Dublin City Centre will be open for the full permitted trading hours on St. Patrick’s Day – 12.30pm to 12.30am.
“We are really looking forward to welcoming our customers, both locals and tourists alike, to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with us.”
Pubs will be allowed to stay open until 12.30am on Friday night, while nightclubs and late bars can serve alcohol until 2.30am, closing at 3am.
Assistant Garda Commissioner Angela Willis said off-licences had made a “very significant contribution” in supporting recent St Patrick’s Day parades by keeping them closed until 4pm.
She added that while the ban was voluntary, it was generally adhered to “and we know from previous experience that this is a significant contributing factor to make sure it is an enjoyable experience for everyone”.
