Good Friday closure controversy

The Good Friday closure controversy or Good Friday Disagreement^[1] refers to the 2010 court case which saw publicans in Limerick, Ireland apply to be exempted from the prohibition on selling alcohol on Good Friday of that year.

The case came about following the scheduling of a 2009–10 Celtic League match between Munster and Leinster at Thomond Park in the city on 2 April 2010 which coincided with Good Friday that year. Until 2018, pubs in Ireland were normally not permitted to open on either Good Friday or Christmas Day.^[2] This law, dating from 1927, also originally included Saint Patrick's Day, though that prohibition was later repealed.^[3] Drinkers often dodge the law by taking to trains, upon which alcohol is allowed, and having their parties there.^[4] In 1910, pubs in Athlone faced a similar dilemma about opening on Saint Patrick's Day but remained closed.^[5]

The match had sold out by the time the court application took place.^[6][7][8] It was due to kick off at 20:05 and television rights had already been agreed.^[9][10] Vintners argued that Limerick publicans stood to lose revenue valued at around €6 million or as much as €10 million if they were prevented from opening for business as normal.^[11][12] The State and the Garda Síochána opposed a change.^[13][14] It was considered a landmark case even before it had begun,^[6][13] and at the end was hailed as an "historic ruling",^[15] and a watershed in Church-State relations.^[16]

The vintners won and pubs were permitted to do business on Good Friday in the Republic of Ireland for the first time since 1927 (though only in Limerick).^{[15][16][17][18]} Commentators such as Ian O'Doherty in the Irish Independent expressed disappointment that it would still be illegal to sell alcohol in Dublin on the same day.^[19]