'If they're running around, they're asked to sit down,' Tipp publican on kids in pubs

For a long time it has been commonplace to see kids in pubs across Ireland while their parents have a few drinks.

It would usually be on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon, after a match or while the family is out for some lunch, the parents would sit at the bar and the children would be in a corner with a bottle of coke and a packet of crisps or running around the beer garden.

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But just because it's what we're used to, do you think it's appropriate?

Writer and columnist Anikki Sommerville was speaking on Newstalk Breakfast on Thursday morning on why she thinks parents shouldn't bring their children to the pub.

"You can get really lost in the atmosphere," said Anniki, "You're glad to be out, sometimes it's the monotony of being a parent, and that's when pubs can turn a little bit feral, you know, I think we've all been in that position where maybe you're trying to catch up with your own parents or you're trying to have a romantic date, and they're might be a big gang of kids whoa re kind of marauding around."

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Publican John Harney, from Harney's Final Furlong pub in Clerihan, county Tipperary, told Lunchtime Live that it was common enough for kids to be in his pub after matches, "it's a village pub and people come up for food have a few drinks and walk home, its not an issue really".

"If they're running around, they're asked to sit down; if they don't behave themselves, they're asked to leave - we're noted for that," said Mr Harney who told Lunchtime Live the pub has a "fairly strict code for the kids".

"I think personally, it's good for the kids to go in and understand that there are rules and regulations. They can't just ignore people around them and they have to sit down and behave," he added.

Mr Harney said that while his pub would be "mainly a drinking pub", he has never had any reason to be concerned for any parents or their children's conduct.

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"We'll just take Tipperary winning the All-Ireland; our pub was full of families, and everybody really enjoyed the day," he said.

"A publican is very observant behind the counter and is watching the whole time," continued John, "and I hadn't any concern at any time that there was a person there who wasn't able to manage their children.

"Now, maybe husbands stayed on longer than the wives to discuss the match or whatever, but generally, I don't see that happening where kids are forgotten about.

"People have become very responsible, even young people - young people don't drink and drive anymore, all that has stopped."

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"I'm just a bit sad that the pub has had to defend itself again, listening to the interview this morning, it seemed that restaurants were OK but pubs weren't...it just reminded me of the €9 meal (during the pandemic). The publican has to defend itself again. But I think it's good for kids to sit down and socialise and learn to have respect for other people around them.

"I bought the pub 8 years ago and the amount of times I've had to say to somebody 'you have to go away with your kids now', I'd say it happened twice."

"They must be very mannerly in Tipperary to follow the rules",  said host Andrea Gilligan.

"We're very good," replied John.

Speaking to people on the street in Dublin, the reaction was a bit mixed with many saying that it depended on the situation or that it was OK once the parents weren't "overdoing it".

One woman said, "Ah yea, once you're not overdoing it, just the one or two."

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Another woman said, "Look it, I grew up in a different era, it was just drink all the time. But if you're on holidays it's great, you can go in and have something to eat and a drink, but after 9 o clock they should be gone.

"It really depends on the child, if they're good. If the baby is in the pram asleep then it's fine, but if kids that are running around are like 7 and 8, it's not comfortable."

One man said, "Ah yea, we were brought to the pub, given a coke and crisps and told to sit in the corner and be quiet. I would have a drink at home every night and the kids don't say anything about it. If I do drink too much, they'd have something to say about that."