The End Of Times

Should you be one of the fortunate ones, you'll be playing with you iPad today and won't notice that the Earth has trembled.

Turn the pages of that e-book and marvel at the graphics that resemble a page curling to the side. Touch the screen, open applications, and stay up half the night trying it all out.

Could it be a matter of timing, then? Has the pub industry in Ireland taken advantage of a confluence of events to do what's not been done before?

The pubs are open today. Good Friday. The pubs. Open.

Make no mistake about it. There may be immigrants from other countries now residing in Ireland. There may be Muslims and Jews and a mash-up of Christian sects living there, but it's a Catholic country just the same and a Catholic would never think of taking drink on Good Friday.

Should a Catholic harbor a desire for liquor, the Church saw to it that the thought wouldn't be translated into action. Since 1927, it's been illegal, and pubs have closed their doors on every Good Friday since.

Times are changing, or we're reaching the End of Times.

Tourists looking for a meal were always shocked to discover that they had a difficult time finding a casual place to dine on Good Friday. This year, Dublin pubs plan to open their doors to serve food and non-alcoholic beverages. With fewer tourists, no one wants to frighten them away. Besides, it's only a ban on liquor, not food, and there's a chance to make a little money on the dining end of the business.

Tourists must be served, but rugby trumps all.

Leinster plays Munster today. The pubs in Limerick will be open and the beer will be flowing. There's an exemption in the law for 'special events' outside of Dublin, and if the rugby match isn't special, nothing is.

In the mind of noted publican Charlie Chawke, you can go to church if you like and spend the afternoon in prayer, but if someone wants to sip on a pint and watch rugby instead, why should they be denied? He thinks the law should be changed.

Visitors to Ireland should be encouraged to travel to the west, to enjoy the beauty of Country Limerick. It's the only place on the island to get a drink on a Friday night that happens to be a religious holiday. It's the only place in sync with the rest of the world.