Great Friday for Limerick pubs as revellers flock for tipple

Pubs in Limerick have been receiving calls from Cork, Westmeath and Clare to establish what time they were opening at today.

Vintners in Limerick took a court challenge to the Good Friday opening ban and were successful paving the way for today’s opening between 6pm and 11pm.

They took the challenge because an influx of visitors are expected to the city this evening for the Munster-Leinster Magner’s League clash in Thomond Park.

More than 25,000 people are expected to attend the game but thousands more are expected to watch the match in pubs in the city.

Libby Hickey of Souths Bar on O’Connell Avenue said a large number of calls were received from Corkonians planning to travel to Limerick this evening.

She said: “They were asking what time the pub will be open from.”

Vintners believe the exemption will result in a €7.5m bonanza for Limerick.

It covers Limerick city and suburbs such as Raheen, Castletroy, Annacotty, Corbally and Dooradoyle.

The exemption was granted last Thursday in Limerick District Court by Judge Tom O’Donnell who said that the match could be deemed to be a special event.

Gardaí had objected to the vintners’ challenge. Pubs in others parts of the country will also open today but will not serve alcohol.

Dublin bar owner Charlie Chawke set a precedent when he announced after the Limerick exemption that he would be opening his eight establishments, but that the pubs will not be serving alcohol.

Article courtesy of the Evening Echo newspaper.