By Áine McKeon  

‘Don’t be rude, have a drink with me’, ‘You deserve a drink, after the week you’ve had’, ‘It’s tradition, you have to’ – these are just a few phrases you may hear around the table while having a few drinks.  

Drinking as a social activity is quite common between friends and family across Ireland. 

Stereotypes surrounding Irish people and drinking are deeply ingrained in popular culture, often exaggerating or misrepresenting the role of drinking in Irish society – whether that be heavy drinking or holding our liquor well. 

But how much truth is behind them? If you read between the lines, you could argue that Ireland may have a few underlying issues with drinking that may have been swept under the rug. 

As figures rise, an increasing worry is brewing regarding the effects of drinking, shifting how Irish people view their  drinking habits. 

But how much do we really drink in Ireland? 

When experts talk about the dire health implications linked to excessive alcohol use, people tend to assume that it’s directed at individuals who have an alcohol use disorder – but health risks from drinking can come from moderate consumption as well. 

In 2023, alcohol consumption was 9.9 liters of pure alcohol per capita over the age of 15 years. This shows a fall of 10% since the passage of the Public Health (Alcohol) Act in 2018. 

Alcohol consumption per capita has reduced in recent years from its historically high point, in the early 2000s. We are now drinking at a level of just under 10 liters per capita. 

According to |Alcohol Action Ireland per capita consumption in Ireland in 2023 equated to 284 cans of beer, 12 bottles of spirits, 43 bottles of wine, and 35 cans of cider.

Photo Credit: Sheila Gilheany, Alcohol Action Ireland 

“If the whole of the country was drinking within the HSE lower risk drinking guidelines, we would be consuming about 40% less,” said Dr. Sheila Gilheany, CEO of Alcohol Action Ireland.  

“We have very high levels of ‘binge drinking’. Ireland is the 8^th highest within OECD countries,” she added. 

About 70% of the population consume alcohol. Over half of all drinkers do so in a manner that is considered hazardous. About 20% of the drinking population have an alcohol use disorder. 

Consumption and affordability  

“Consumption patterns are driven by price, marketing and availability. You can see the changes in consumption in the graph above. In recent years, drops in consumption are usually linked to changes in alcohol taxation. Alcohol remains very affordable, despite industry protests,” said Dr Sheila Gilheany. 

The price of alcohol in shops today is essentially the same as it was 20 years ago. 

                Alcohol-Affordability-Ireland – Photo Credit: (Sheila Gilheany, Alcohol Action Ireland) 

The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) found that Ireland has the second most affordable alcohol across OECD countries. 

 The Irish alcohol business spends a minimum of €115 million a year promoting its goods. This excludes sponsorship agreements like those for Guinness Six Nations.  

Ireland ranks the 3rd highest in the world for the number of pubs per head, and three-in-four people live within walking distance of a premises licensed to sell alcohol. 

“The term ‘responsible drinking’ is very much an industry term which has no public health meaning – i.e. it is not defined,” said Dr. Sheila Gilheany. 

The HSE has guidelines on lower risk drinking, although, as these are now in the process of being revised, it likely will decrease in common with other jurisdictions which have examined this recently in Canada. 

Finance and office manager Jennifer Bergin at Drinkaware said, “Anybody wanting to change up their drinking habits and are looking for information can access our 2023 barometer research paper and consumption page available on our website.” 

It’s likely that the majority of people have encountered someone who has struggled with their alcohol intake. Excessive drinking is a widespread problem in Ireland that affects not only the individual, but also those around them. Alcoholism can affect a drinker’s emotional, financial, and physical well-being, which can be harmful to those around them as well.  

According to Alcohol Action Ireland, Ireland’s drinking culture is evolving towards more mindful consumption, with health becoming a priority.  

The impact of these changes on the country’s drinking culture remains uncertain.