Although “Arthur’s Day” is over the controversy it caused still remains. Ask anyone who has visited Ireland what they think of when you mention the place and most of them will say bars and pubs but that nation’s love of pubs and alcohol has sparked national controversy because of an unofficial holiday which was started by Guinness. Are holidays being invented by alcohol companies just to give people an excuse to get drunk?
Last Thursday, the Guinness sponsored Arthur’s Day celebrations commemorated the birthday of the 18th century founder of Ireland’s favourite pub drink. The celebrations were spread across the globe in countries like Malaysia and Jamaica and featured concerts in 815 pubs and clubs across Ireland.
The day dedicated to Guinness was launched in 2009 in an effort to make money for struggling pubs during the financial crisis. The day is characterised by drinks specials, guest appearances by popular musicians paid for by Guinness’s parent company.
The following excerpt from an article on News.com.au explains more about the holiday:
Launched in 2009, Guinness says the annual festivities provide a needed tonic for a 7,500-strong Irish pub network struggling to maintain profits in the face of a five-year debt crisis that has ravaged employment and incomes.
Many pubs are offering free pints of the dark brown stout at 5:59pm. – a reference to the founding of Guinness in 1759 – followed by the appearance of a band or singer, among them internationally popular acts, many kept secret until that moment. All entertainers are paid by Guinness’ British parent, Diageo.
“It’s really a musical treasure hunt. It’s one of my favorite nights of the year,” said David Doolan, a 28-year-old software engineer who plans to follow tweeted tipoffs as musical acts turn up in Dublin pubs.
He’s caught parts of impromptu performances by Tom Jones, Mumford & Sons and Stereophonics in past festivities.
This year however the holiday has been marred by protests that Arthur’s Day is exacerbating the problem of alcoholism in Ireland. Alcohol problems are a huge issue for the Irish, with problems associated with alcoholism costing the economy 3.7 billion Euros (Aus $5.3 billion) every year, this comes from hung over workers, an alarmingly high rate of liver disease, late night violence and vandalism and hospital admissions.
The article on News.com.au quoted some of the critics of the holiday:
“They shouldn’t call it Arthur’s Day. They should call it Vomit Day,” said Aisling Fitzsimons, a 50-year-old manager of a convenience store who says she has to hose down the sidewalk outside most weekends.
Two performers who definitely aren’t playing are Irish folk singer Christy Moore and the Celtic rock band The Waterboys. Both have penned anti-Arthur’s Day songs that harness an Irish sense of unease of being played for fools by a brewing behemoth.
Diageo, the giant behind Guinness has been criticised for inventing a pseudo-national holiday with the purpose of marketing alcoholic products to young people which some fear are fuelling alcohol problems in the country.