Over one in three want Good Friday drink ban lifted - survey

A new survey shows that more that one in three people say the ban on the sale of alcohol on Good Friday should be lifted.

According to research by Ignite, 36% wanted the ban completely reversed, while a further 14% were in favour of a partial change, including exemptions for special events.

Half of respondents agreed with the sentiment “I think things should be kept as they are”.

Perhaps surprisingly, 49% of 45-to-54 year olds agree with an outright ban, compared with just 26% of those aged between 18 and 24 years.

More than half of those surveyed believe that banning the sale of alcohol on Good Friday encourages binge drinking at house parties.

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When asked to evaluate their own drinking behaviour, only 3% described themselves as ‘heavy drinkers’ and 61% identified themselves as a ‘light drinker’.

More than one third (36%) said they were a ‘moderate drinker’.

Mark Nolan, Managing Director, Ignite Research; “This specialist piece of research by Ignite has provided an interesting insight into the attitudes of Ireland’s relationship with alcohol in 2015.

“ It seems that Irish people underestimate how they see their relationship with consuming alcohol, with just 3% of those surveyed describing themselves as heavy drinkers.

“It is also apparent that as a nation we enjoy our traditions; 50% said that the Good Friday alcohol ban should be kept exactly as they are. However, looking at the other side, there is still sizeable opposition with over a third of consumers calling for the ban to lift entirely.”