Will you be heading for a pint this Good Friday?

While some pubs across Meath have decided to continue the tradition of closing on Good Friday, many are preparing to open tomorrow, the first time they will have the legal opportunity to do so.
The Vintners' Federation of Ireland (VFI) has described it as a "historic day" for Irish pubs and says removing the ban was about introducing choice, both for the customer and the publican.

VFI Chief Executive Padraig Cribben, said: “The Good Friday ban is from a different era and is rightfully consigned to history. Like all other businesses who were never subject to a ban, publicans now have a choice to open. Pubs opening on Good Friday is good news, both for publicans and their customers but also for the many tourists who visit Ireland over the Easter weekend, who in the past would find the pubs closed during a major holiday.”

The Central in Navan will open from 5pm tomorrow evening and is holding a 'Prohibition Party' where customers won't be able to enter by the front door but will have to find a secret side entrance.
Proprietor, Michael Gavigan, pointed out that they employ 85 people and business had been badly hit by the closures during the bad weather.
"We have decided to open after 5pm but if others don't want to open that is fine."

James Griffin Pub in Trim will open-, a decision not made lightly according to proprietor Tom Lenihan who said their decision following a number of online polls. 
“I have grown up in the pub business all my life. I have seen many many changes and challenges over the years, We used to close for St Patrick's Day, up until the early 70's, and now this is one of the busiest days of the year. This public holiday attracts 1000's of visitors to our cities and towns and huge numbers also travel to take part in parades around the country. I don't think this would be the case if our pubs remained closed. Ireland as a nation would miss out on what is now considered a world renowned celebration,” he said.
 
Meanwhile the Westway Bar in Kells indicated that they would be opening on Good Friday.
Shaw's Pub in Summerhill is also opening on Good Friday and manager Johnny Coss said within a day of deciding to open they had a thirtieth birthday party booked in. He said a lot of publicans use it as a chance to do cleaning and other jobs but they are just over a renovation that cost a lot of money, and any revenue they could get, they had to take the opportunity.

Among those who have decided to stay closed are the three pubs in Drumconrath village . Publicans Dermot Muldoon, Pauline Fay and Pat Dempsey have decided to honour the time-old tradition and keep a lid on their alcohol
"Publicans get two days off in the whole year - just two so we decided to keep that holiday as well as keeping up the tradition and having a bit of respect for our religion," said Dermot.
"We've received a load of support from our customers, after all it's only one day. We were known for closing on Good Friday throughout the world - it was something different about Ireland and now that's gone. Slowly all the Irish traditions are being stripped."

Pauline Fay of Fay's Bar said the day enables bar owners to completely switch off and spend the day with family.
"Quality of life has no price. I always spent the day with my children and continue to do so."

In Trim, most of the pubs are set to open but the Malt House has decided to continue the tradition. Proprietor Rodney Leonard said: "It is a tradition with us to stay shut, it is as simple as that."