Public drinking

For a country where our national pastime seems to be drinking, a lot of people would look down on an individual sauntering down the road, can of beer in hand. I suppose a big part of it would be the area you're doing it in but personally it doesn't bother me at all. We'd often bring a can for the road when leaving the house to walk to the local.

As for whether or not it's against the law I have no idea, the only time I've seen alcohol being taken off people is when a group of kids outside a Spar in town were acting the maggot.

Yes, it is common enough in England but causes plenty of problems too. There are many towns/city centres now with alcohol exclusion zones because of the resulting trouble.

Drinking in public in Ireland is frowned upon more.

Its illegal to be drunk in Ireland, and afaik, its up to the Gardai's judgement. ie they can take the drink off you, tell you to move on, etc etc, if you dont then they can arrest you.

By the way, its commonly known as knacker drinking in Ireland.

Not while walking down the street, god no.

The only times I ever drank in public was at the park during a festival or sometimes on the quay at night with a few friends.

Other than that, I've never drank anything on public property.

Not to mention that it'd be very hobo-ish to be drinking in the street and would make you look like an alcoholic.

Different culture like.

In Britain and Ireland, people see you drinking in the street people think you're going to start accosting them or picking fights. You're seen as unapproachable and antisocial.

Europeans tend to drink in moderation so no one bats an eyelid of you drinking in the street. Europeans drink for enjoyment of the drink, not to get drunk.

I would normally say its manky but I was at a picnic in a park last week and there was a bottle of wine produced. I think it all depends on how obvious it is and how much of a pain in the ass you are. Its possible to drink in public and not draw attention to yourself but sadly Irish numpties don't seem to have learnt that yet

Usually have a can or two on the last bus into town on a Friday or Saturday night.I wouldn't walk down a main street in Dublin swigging a can though.That's what naggins and bottles of coke are for!

Have been stopped a few times by the Gardai for drinking in public.One time me and my mate were walking down to the bus stop at 11pm one night and a squad car pulled over with blue lights flashing,3 massive guards got out and told me that this will be the most expensive beer I'd ever have cos it's a €65 fine for drinking in public.I was very apolgetic and polite with them etc and they took my name and address,but I never heard anything about it again.

Another sunny day me and my mate were drinking beside her apartment at the canal and two plain clothes Gardai stopped their car, searched us and took our names,but told us that we were okay to drink our cans there as long as we put them in the bin when we were finished.Probably depends on how sound the guard that stops you is I suppose.And how much you co-operate with them too.

Absolutely illegal, it's down to local bye-laws to set how illegal it is. There tends to be crackdowns at certain times of the year when you can be likely to be caught as can be seen above.