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Grafton Street in Dublin Photocall Ireland

Most shops in Dublin to remain open on St Patrick’s Day

A survey by retail Ireland reveals that nearly three-quarters of outlets in the capital plan to remain open this Saturday.

MOST SHOPS IN Dublin intend to stay open on St Patrick’s Day, according to a survey by Retail Ireland – a subsidiary of the Irish Business and Employers Confederation (IBEC)

The survey found that 70 per cent of stores in the capital will stay open this Saturday whereas they would have closed in previous years.

The results are based on a survey of the 27 biggest stores in the city conducted by the Dublin Business Improvement District. All shopping centres will open as will 70 per cent of businesses surveyed, according to the results.

“Traditionally the large crowds in the city centre on the day itself are there for the festivities rather than shopping,” Retail Ireland Director Stephen Lynam said.

“The fact that St Patrick’s Day is a Saturday, usually the busiest shopping day of the week, and falls the day before Mothers Day has encouraged retailers to open their doors, with some extending their opening hours.”

He said that retailers are hoping that the extra opening day will boost revenue after what he described as a “poor start to 2012″ for many of them.

“DIY and hardware retailers in particular are expecting an increase in sales. This weekend traditionally marks the start of DIY season. Gardening and lawnmower sales are expected to pick-up dramatically,” he added.

Speaking about the possibility of stores hiring extra security in light of the St Patrick’s Day crowds and festivities, Lynam added: “Some stores may hire extra security.

“However, we are assured that there will be a strong Garda presence around the towns and cities where parades are taking place.

“We understand that off-licenses in Dublin city will be closed until 4pm. Public consumption of alcohol is against the law. We are confident that people will enjoy the day responsibly and sensibly.”

Read: Global culture programme for St Patrick’s Day revealed

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14 Comments
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    Mute Helen Griffin Davis
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    Mar 14th 2012, 10:48 AM

    Personally I think all the shops should be closed on saint Patrick’s day. It’s our national holiday. The way things are going it is only a matter of time before we see it disappear altogether!

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    Mute Garreth OMahony
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    Mar 14th 2012, 11:00 AM

    How can having a shop open lead to our national day disappearing.

    People are not forced to go shopping at gun point.

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    Mute Teo O'Keefe
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    Mar 14th 2012, 11:08 AM

    No, not forced to shop, but obligated to go to work and partake in the commercialization of the day.

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    Mute Amy Gillivan
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    Mar 14th 2012, 11:10 AM

    but the retail staff are forced to work!

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    Mute Conor Kirwan
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    Mar 14th 2012, 12:07 PM

    Surely then by your logic, every pub and restaurant should close too. Somehow I don’t think you’d be quite as happy about that!

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    Mute Mark O'Flaherty
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    Mar 14th 2012, 2:55 PM

    that’s nonsense, people would shop on Xmas day if they were able to.

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    Mute Helen Griffin Davis
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    Mar 14th 2012, 11:19 AM

    Garret, someone has to work in the shops, they deserve days off too! What better day than our National day!!!

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    Mute Jay funk
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    Mar 14th 2012, 11:31 AM

    And if the shops closed people would moan that staff would loose a days pay

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    Mute Demelza Cullen
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    Mar 14th 2012, 12:20 PM

    actually any shop that is closed must pay staff as normal. If a shop is open staff must be paid double time or get normal pay and a day off in lieu.

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    Mute Stephen
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    Mar 14th 2012, 12:55 PM

    Oh praise the Lord! I’ve loads of shopping to do and I just can’t find the time to do it any of the other 365 days of the year!

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    Mute Jack McGuire
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    Mar 14th 2012, 1:45 PM

    It’s this sort of greed that has this country in the state it’s in, certain days should be kept sacred and shops should remain closed.
    This is our national day and has become an international day over the years yet shops here just can’t give it a rest for one day, we allow ourselves to be used in this fashion as we now accept seeing children’ s school uniforms on sale in shops before the children even get their summer holidays, and when they go back to school the Halloween rubbish is marched out on the shop floor and as soon as that’s over we have to look at the Christmas merchandise far too prematurely, we have accepted this for years so now it has become the norm.
    Give us a chance to catch our breath please marketeers.

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    Mute jimbo
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    Mar 14th 2012, 12:18 PM

    Greedy fcuks

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    Mute Eoin Faz
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    Mar 14th 2012, 12:50 PM

    Double time vs. paid day off = No-brainer.

    31hrs including work Paddy’s day
    Vs.
    31hrs with Paddy’s day off

    Both pay 39 hrs for the week

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    Mute Sean Doyle
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    Mar 15th 2012, 9:33 AM

    I have to laugh at the last sentence of the arrticle. I’m glad I have to work Saturday, it means I’m far away from any drunken fools.

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