January 8th, 2004

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Politics
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Drink Feck Girls

Sarah Carey, Irish colleague, political activist and recent mother, references a new section of the Fine Gael site (one of Ireland’s two major parties, the other is confusingly named Fianna Fail). It lists, among other things, the price of bottled water in various pubs around Dublin. As a non-drinker and former-Dublin resident, this was of interest.

At Ron Black’s in Dublin, a mineral water (likely 250 ml) with a twist of lemon costs CAN $7.67. Suffice it to say, it’s expensive to live in Dublin. Interestingly (and, I might add, typically), the price of alcohol is regulated. The price of a pint of Guinness costs the same at the Shelbourne Bar in Dublin as it does at, say, at O’Shea’s of Borris. Because of the commonality of the EU, it’s always interesting to comparison shop across the EU.

You know, I’ve just read something that seems to contradict my alcohol-prices-are-regulated thinking. DrinkFeckGirls.com (a reference to the immortal Father Ted) indicates that prices do vary across the Republic. Can any of my Irish readers sort me out? Cheers.

Comments: 4 Responses so far

cia@ireland
January 9th, 2004
1:58 am

Unfortunately for those of us who regularly frequent Cafe En Seine and other trendy Dublin bars, the DrinkFeckGirls site is quite accurate. Alcohol prices are not regulated in Ireland. In addition, in some bars the price of a pint will increase after 11pm when everyone is that bit drunker and will pay for a pint regardless of the price!

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John Keyes
January 9th, 2004
2:09 am

O’Shea’s bar is owned by my friends family. I bet he didn’t know that picture was there.

As for drink prices! Dublin prices are higher than the rest of the country. The cheapest places to drink are in sports clubs.

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Sarah
January 9th, 2004
1:35 pm

You are right to a certain extent. An attempt was made to regulate prices some years ago. The government passed a law saying that that ‘the price of the pint’ had to remain as it was in each pub on 1 May 2001 ( I think) in an effort to prevent the price of the precious pint rising. However they worded the act so badly that it also meant publicans couldn’t REDUCE the price below its 1 May level…..

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Michael O'Shea
January 23rd, 2004
2:42 pm

No drinks prices regulation in Ireland and it shows from the variations that occur. Big differences between towns/cities and rural areas. Your example Darren is at the extremes i.e. Shelbourne Hotel and a country pub, you could expect a 30%/40% difference in the price of a Guinness. Afterall the Shelbourne is one of the best hotels in Dublin in a prime city centre location. Come to Borris to experience the real Ireland where things are very much more down to earth.

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