Limerick raises a glass to historic ruling and end of a tradition

LIMERICK last night broke an age-old tradition of dry Good Fridays and proceeded to cock a snook at the recession by kicking off a big rugby match party which swung late into the night.

Good Friday church ceremonies in the city drew what clergy say were among the biggest attendances in years, hours before Munster lined out against Leinster at Thomond Park.

The pulling of pints was also marked with due ceremony. In South’s bar Councillor Jim Long, deputising for Mayor Kevin Kiely and wearing a mayoral chain of office, pulled the first legal pint in an Irish pub on Good Friday since the Intoxicating Liquor Act was passed in 1927.