BREAKING: Decision made over longer pub opening times in Limerick this weekend
PUBS ACROSS the city will be able to open for longer hours on Friday, Saturday and Sunday as Limerick enjoys a bumper weekend.
This Thursday morning, the District Court approved an application by the local branch of the Vintners Association of Ireland (VFI) to allow pubs across the city borough the opportunity to open later to take advantage of the influx of visitors expected.
More than 30,000 people each night are expected to attend Dermot Kennedy's gigs in Thomond Park. The Limerick Pride parade takes place on Saturday.
And of course, there is the small matter of an All-Ireland senior hurling semi-final between Limerick and Galway, throw-in six o'clock on Saturday evening.
All going well, Limerick will make it through to another Liam MacCarthy Cup decider, meaning fans of the Treaty will be able to celebrate well into Saturday night and beyond!
Robert Byrne, chair of the Limerick branch of the Vintners Federation of Ireland (VFI) sought an exemption to the normal weekend trading hours of local pubs under the provisions of the Intoxicating Liquor Act.
It means pubs can open until 2am on Friday night into Saturday, 2am on Saturday night into Sunday and 1am on Sunday night into Monday morning.
Welcoming the news, Mr Byrne, who runs Bobby Byrne's in O'Connell Avenue, said: "We're delighted it was successfully achieved in court this morning. There were no objections from the gardai. The only conditions is that it's for current license holders. Anyone with any issue isn't allowed to avail of it. It's strictly for on-licenses only, not for off-licenses."
"Hopefully it will be a great weekend. The hurling fans in Croke Park will get an opportunity to come home and still celebrate hopefully. Also, the concert goers will get a chance to come in and enjoy a night out after the concert. With the Pride Parade too, it's win-win for everybody. At this time of year when things are normally quiet in the city, it's great to have."
Former chair of Limerick's VFI branch Paul Flannery added: "It's brilliant. It's giving an extra option to people when they are coming back in from the concerts on the nights. There's an awful lot happening in the city this weekend from the three concerts, the hurlers in Croke Park - so it'll give all the returning supporters hopefully a chance to celebrate when coming back down. And also, the Pride parade is on Saturday. It allows us to give a decent offering."
Around 100 pubs across Limerick's city and suburbs will be allowed to trade later on the weekend after this Thursday's ruling.