End of Good Friday ban leaves Christmas the last man standing

A Different View with Dave O’Connell

A couple of the recent storm warnings saw polarised reactions from two distinct age groups – while those of us of a certain vintage stocked up on candles and coal, a younger generation emerged from the supermarkets laden down with slabs of beer and bottles of spirits.

And, to avoid allegations of revisionism, we were those soldiers a couple of decades ago. After all, you had no need for artificial light if you already knew where your mouth was.

Even now, older adults often find themselves stuck with this desperate thirst on occasion – although, as of recent weeks, at least one of the famines is over.

The Dáil’s decision to allow the sale of alcohol on Good Friday brings down one of the last symbols of a bygone age – or what we might have once called Catholic Ireland.

Never mind no drink on Good Friday, there wasn’t a drop to be easily had for all of Lent. And just in case you might be tempted, there was no dancing either.

Then again, good Catholics didn’t eat meat on any Friday, which in hindsight probably aided the popularity growth of fish fingers; because honestly you could think of no other reason.

Our forebears weren’t gripped by the need for 24-hour shopping either; not alone did stores close in the early evening, but most provincial towns threw in a half day a week where they didn’t re-open after lunchtime.

And funnily enough, nobody starved. Normal opening hours seemed entirely sufficient to get all of the groceries any family could ever need.

The Good Friday drink ban had its roots firmly in Church teaching and the reality now is that those who see this abstinence as integral to their religion can steer clear – but those who want to fill their gills with the demon drink can do so all day long.

My guess is that the sale of drink for and on Good Friday will actually go down.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.