Legal change is needed to reclaim Ireland’s nightlife

Groove Tube with Cian O’Connell

The mass closure of late-night venues in Ireland has undoubtedly been accelerated by the events of the pandemic – but advocates for reform in the arts sector will tell you it is a problem that has been festering much longer.  Galway’s own late-night scene has been hit as hard as any in the country – and the desire for change within that community has never been felt more strongly.

Two of the more prominent voices articulating the need for change are those of Robbie Kitt and Sunil Sharpe, both of whom are central members of a campaign dubbed Give Us The Night.

They point to the fact that the number of Irish nightclubs had dropped from over 500 in 2000, to roughly 85 now. That decline is mirrored in microcosm in Galway.

Robbie and Sunil’s work is highly informed and it is vital for Irish art and culture that their appeals are heard and facilitated.

Give Us The Night has been running for several years and, despite the tremendous difficulties it has faced over Covid, continues to gather support and momentum.

This was emphasised in the number of submissions made to the government recently during the public consultation on alcohol licencing.

Over 5,000 people made the case for an overhaul of Ireland’s liquor licencing laws and, though it is only one aspect of the message Give Us The Night are striving to convey, it represents the potential for landmark change in the near future.

Given the cultural passion that exists for late-night venues in this country, Robbie explains his lack of surprise at the consultation’s success.

“It was amazing but I think it just illustrates how important this issue is to people in their everyday lives,” he notes.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

Connacht Tribune Digital Edition App

Download the Connacht Tribune Digital Edition App to access to Galway’s best-selling newspaper.

Click HERE to download it for iPhone and iPad from Apple’s App Store, or HERE to get the Android Version from Google Play.

Or purchase the Digital Edition for PC, Mac or Laptop from Pagesuite  HERE.

Get the Connacht Tribune Live app
The Connacht Tribune Live app is the home of everything that is happening in Galway City and county. It’s completely FREE and features all the latest news, sport and information on what’s on in your area. Click HERE to download it for iPhone and iPad from Apple’s App Store, or HERE to get the Android Version from Google Play.