It’s a pub with a counter almost as long as its history, a meeting place that has become as synonymous with the festive season as carol singing, traffic congestion, and mince pies.

The 18th century apostle of temperance Fr Mathew is as relevant in today’s alcohol-soaked Ireland as he ever was, several leading historians have suggested.

Bar owner Rita Moynihan died last week at the age of 83, leaving a rich legacy, according to Dan Buckley

Alcohol has done more damage to this society, and continues to do so, than any other phenomenon in our history.