Turning from wine to water?

Alcohol is a topic all too familiar in Ireland. The country’s complex relationship with its heavily scrutinised drinking culture is one which continues to define its image both at home, and beyond the island. Yet, it has been shown that contrary to the stereotype, Ireland’s level of consumption is in fact, very average. 

Rooted in its historical context, excessive drinking surged in the 18th century and has continued to remain a significant public health problem. Yet, recent research indicates that in the past two decades, alcohol consumption has declined by over one-third, with those under 30 curbing their consumption the most. 

According to analysis by the Drinks Industry Group of Ireland, alcohol consumption per adult (defined as anyone over the age of 15) in Ireland has fallen to below 10 litres annually for the first time since the 1980s. Since 2001, on average, Irish people are drinking 31% less alcohol than in 2001, when this figure was at 14.41 litres. 

The forces behind this are undoubtedly multi-faceted and deep-rooted, with such an in-depth inquiry into the causes of decline more suited to the academic sphere. What can be asked however, is whether this disproportional decline is visible among the main perpetrators. Seeking to provide clarity on such a question, Trinity News spoke to those most exposed to alcohol: students, the supposed demographic responsible for altering Ireland’s surging incline from booze.    

Increasing moderation and tee-totalling

“I have certainly noticed an increase in friends quitting drinking or opting for alcohol free beverages”, Daniel Kelly, a Geography and Sociology student at Trinity stated, identifying that “health consciousness plays a large factor here”, as well as a greater abundance of “information about the negative effects of drinking available online”.

Even internationally, Ireland’s continued reputation as an outlier drinker is factually unfounded; its consumption is close to the EU norm of 9.8 litres, with countries such as Germany and Portugal drinking at a much higher rate.

 Yet, not all students were said to see the evidence of this research. Mia Allen, a fourth-year law student from Dundalk, doubtfully questioned: “Really? I’m surprised. It could be the price of alcohol.”

The climbing prices were cited by all interviewed as another reason for an increasingly dry student populace. The average price of a pint in Ireland breached the €6 mark as of September 2023, according to the May 2024 Central Statistics Office. The most extortionate story comes at the cost of a Rockshore cider at an astonishing €10.25. Other initiatives like Minimum Unit Pricing (MUP) in stores and late-night rates in pubs further contribute to climbing prices. 

Stories and experience 

The cost was not the only identified factor contributing to increased student abstinence: “In first year, I would have gone crazy, but… I also don’t want to blackout in Dublin,” Allen continued. “I’ve seen a lot of people start off college, drink far too much and go off the rails and it’s quite sad to see because the culture really does facilitate that.” Perhaps then, it is experience that continues to define one’s relationship with alcohol – most especially, the bad ones. 

“Drinking many times per week can limit my ability to function properly the next day and it’s pretty demotivating…” Kelly added, stating that for most “over time, the pattern becomes clear to people that drinking impairs your cognitive and physical functions”. In his view as a rising fourth-year and an alcohol consumer since the age of 15, “Sometimes it is not worth trading being able to socialise better with friends… with being able to function the next day.” The related issue of waking up and not knowing what “you say or do on a night out” is what Kelly, and many others, have labelled “‘the fear’” and has turned many away from excessive drinking. 

With regret and the “Sunday scaries” cited as potential reasons for refraining, why then do people drink so much? Drinking in Ireland is deeply intertwined with its social fabric, culture and international reputation. As Allen voiced: “The whole pub culture is celebrated here.” This is particularly true for foreigners. Allen has witnessed this in her part-time job in an inner-city pub, stating “a lot of Americans say this is their excuse to get really drunk. They will go above and beyond… try all the whiskeys, they’ll say because the Irish fight when they’re drunk they’ll try and start one because they think that’s okay”.

Tourism has thus gone hand in hand with alcoholic experience in Ireland, because, as Kelly put it, it’s how “we ourselves advertise to the world… We take so much pride in being the creators of Guinness and other stouts and beers, and even our own drinking habits, causing drinking to become synonymous with everything Irish. From Saint Patrick’s day, our celebratory national holiday where the goal is to get as twisted as possible yet just avoid chundering, to the layout of our largest cities, with multiple pubs on every street… adding to people’s perception of Ireland as a booze-obsessed nation”. 

For Allen, this reputation is partly due to lack of a better alternative, echoing the problem: “But what else can you do in Dublin?” “There’s not much, unlike from continental Europe. This is a generalisation but nationally, drinking is a very big social element and you can’t really do without it.” She gave the example of her friend from Germany who “would come to Ireland and ask ‘what do you do here? Where’s the free rowing club?’ and I would reply: ‘drinking is mainly it’. Maybe if the weather’s nice you can go for a hike, but – especially where I’m from – there’s no affordable youth club or community programmes. Maybe it’s different in Dublin, but my friend was shocked that there weren’t more recreational things to do for young people”. This, for her, was particularly the case during the Covid-19 pandemic.

On the other side, the relationship with alcohol is twofold. As Allen stated, “It just loosens people up and gets people talking more… you come out of your shell. Imagine going to Workman’s sober. I’ve tried that once, it was really bad.” As Kelly confessed, “I have often felt that my own habits were unhealthy such as my reliance on alcohol at social events, yet I would continue to drink and socialise. I think this is a common experience… it becomes hard to say no especially when the expectation is that there will be a huge party and everyone is expected to barely be standing by the end of the night.”

Drinking as a constant fixture, and a way to loosen up, can often lead to the issue of binge drinking. As Hosanna Boulter recognised on her exchange in Utrecht this past semester, “Binge drinking was not normalised unless it was a festival day like King’s Day. You did not really see open drunkenness regularly…. People cycle everywhere so you need to be able to at least get back on your bike… people were more likely to have a drink with dinner, little and often was more normalised.” 

 Allen has also witnessed the dangers of binge drinking, stating that while people may “realise their limits, for others it’s been bad for them because their family has a history of alcoholism so they’re like ‘oh no, I’m not breaking ‘the curse’”. A term synonymous with alcoholism in Ireland, Allen recalled that during Trinity Ball, “I had to help so many drunk people “dying” in a ditch. So many medical emergencies. I met two first-year guys who were balling their eyes out and saying ‘we’re just like our dads’.”

Harmful stereotype?

With the label “the curse” denoting an inherently negative connotation, Allen mediated this opinion, stating, “I don’t think it’s necessarily bad to call it “the curse”. That’s what I heard when I was growing up – that alcoholism was a genetic predisposition. But then I know so many people that might drink way too much but not call themselves alcoholics. It is an addiction.”

Labelling alcoholism for what it is, for Allen, was not a negative thing. What may be more problematic, is the stereotypes that come with it. As Eimear Donnelly*, a final year History and English student, voiced, “I don’t see how Ireland has a different drinking culture to everywhere else… there’s a lot of binge drinking [in Ireland] but it is also a very harmful Irish stereotype that we’re all alcoholics.” For her, it is important to recognise the contextual factors, stating, “The Irish have had bad experiences historically, so alcohol was a good way to deal… but stereotyping anyone as an alcoholic is not a good thing to be, so if you’re stereotyping a whole group of people, it’s very negative.”

Donnelly’s issue with what she termed, the “lazy Irish 19th century stereotype” must be put into a global perspective, particularly regarding student culture. “It is not ‘healthy’ but it’s not abnormal and it’s not specific to Ireland. Students across the world participate in unhealthy drinking habits, that’s just what happens.” Boulter, a Trinity History student from the UK also confirmed this comparison on encountering Irish student life: “I was not surprised really, I think it is very similar.” 

Their views come in light of last year’s EPIC The Irish Immigration Museum, which used an AI image generator to conjure pictures of Irish outdated stereotypes. Drinking was referenced in every generated image. 

A healthier path

For Kelly, it was important to look forwards, highlighting the path towards a “healthier” culture. 

“I don’t think that Ireland will ever truly rid itself of its long existing drinking culture, but younger generations normalising non-excessive behaviours could make for a much healthier and more productive society.” He continued, adding that “if your body is telling you not to go out and get drunk, especially if you have had a night out recently, you should listen to it… the expectation to put your body through that multiple times per week is something that needs to be de-normalised. Drinking in a non-excessive way, and less often, can have huge benefits for one’s mental and physical health, and still allow you to join in on a night out…drinking plenty of water before bed has benefits for your sleep quality and overall energy the next day”.

Allen recognised the importance of not glorifying the stereotype. “I think in the UK too, everyone’s kind of proud of it” continuing, “I think the key is social drinking and moderate drinking, and looking out for your friends as well.” This includes those who are tee-totallers: “If you have a friend who doesn’t drink, make sure they don’t feel too coerced in it. Don’t look at heavy drinking at this really glamorised hard thing, as opposed to having a few and really enjoying yourself.”

*Name changed for anonymity

 The following supports are available for those who feel impacted by excessive drinking. Freephone 1800 459 459 for confidential information and support.