Off Licence Opening Hours Ireland: When Can You Buy Alcohol
Few things are more frustrating than heading to the shop for a bottle of wine only to find the alcohol shelves roped off. Whether you’re grabbing beer for a Friday night catch-up or stocking up for a Sunday roast, knowing exactly when you can buy alcohol in Ireland saves you a wasted trip.
Off-licences in Ireland: Over 1,200 licensed premises ·
Legal weekday alcohol sales start: 10:30 AM ·
Legal weekday alcohol sales end: 10:00 PM ·
Sunday alcohol sales start: 12:30 PM ·
Sunday alcohol sales end: 10:00 PM ·
Good Friday alcohol sales: Completely prohibited
Quick snapshot
- Monday to Saturday: 10:30 AM – 10:00 PM
- Sunday: 12:30 PM – 10:00 PM
- Good Friday: No alcohol sales until 2018
- Christmas Day: No alcohol sales
- St. Stephen’s Day: Standard hours apply
- Many stores offer delivery within 2-3 hours
- Cut-off times for delivery often 8:00 PM or 9:00 PM
Five key dates define Ireland’s off-licence sale restrictions, one pattern: the law treats weekdays, Sundays, and holidays very differently.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Legal sale start (weekdays) | 10:30 AM |
| Legal sale start (Sundays) | 12:30 PM |
| Legal sale end (all days) | 10:00 PM |
| Total off-licences in Ireland | Approximately 1,200 |
| Days with complete sales ban | Good Friday, Christmas Day |
What time can I buy alcohol today in Ireland?
Weekday alcohol sale hours
- Monday to Saturday: off-licences may sell alcohol from 10:30 AM until 10:00 PM, according to Citizens Information — state-funded legal guidance service.
- The Courts Service Ireland — judicial authority on licensing confirms these exact times: 10:30 AM start, 10:00 PM close.
Sunday alcohol sale hours
- Sundays and St. Patrick’s Day: alcohol sales start at 12:30 PM and end at 10:00 PM, per Citizens Information.
- This two-hour later start compared to weekdays catches many shoppers off guard.
Public holiday variations
- Good Friday was historically a complete sales ban under the Licensing Act 1874 — original statute. However, this changed in 2018 — supermarkets and off-licences can now sell alcohol on Good Friday under standard Sunday hours, as reported by the Irish Independent — leading national daily.
- Christmas Day remains a day with no alcohol sales permitted from off-licences, noted by Ireland Brief — Irish lifestyle guide.
Sunday shoppers lose two morning hours compared to the rest of the week. For anyone planning a Sunday lunch with drinks, the 12:30 PM start means no last-minute bottle run before mass or brunch.
Can you buy alcohol in Irish supermarkets?
Supermarket vs. off-licence alcohol sales
- Yes — Irish supermarkets like Dunnes Stores, Tesco, and SuperValu can sell alcohol if they hold a valid off-licence, as explained by Citizens Information.
- The same hours apply: no early morning wine runs before 10:30 AM on weekdays or before 12:30 PM on Sundays.
Dunnes Stores alcohol hours
- Dunnes Stores typically follows general off-licence hours, but individual store hours may vary. Many Dunnes locations with grocery sections stop alcohol sales at 10:00 PM sharp, even if the store remains open later for other shopping.
Centra alcohol hours
- Centra stores, as convenience shops, follow standard off-licence times. However, some smaller Centra locations without a full off-licence may not sell alcohol at all.
The pattern: your local supermarket is a reliable option during legal hours, but the 12:30 PM Sunday start remains a common tripwire.
A Dunnes or Centra that closes its general store at 11:00 PM may still cut off alcohol sales at 10:00 PM. The till system enforces the legal cutoff automatically, so don’t assume you can buy beer during the last hour the shop is open.
What are off licence opening hours in Dublin and Cork?
Molloys off licence near me opening hours
- Molloys Liquor Stores operate multiple Dublin locations with hours generally 10:30 AM to 10:00 PM, with Sunday opening at 12:30 PM.
O Brien’s off licence near me opening hours
- OBriens off-licences typically open 10:30 AM to 10:00 PM, with Sunday opening at 12:30 PM. Their website lists individual store hours that may vary slightly.
Bradleys off licence Cork hours
- Bradleys Off-Licence in Cork operates standard hours with possible late closings on Fridays and Saturdays. It’s a go-to for Cork shoppers looking for a wider selection than supermarket aisles.
Drinkstore Dublin hours
- Drinkstore in Dublin operates standard off-licence hours. Their online delivery service also follows the same cut-off times.
Specialist off-licences like Molloys and OBriens often stock craft beers, imported wines, and spirits you won’t find in a supermarket. For anyone searching “off licence Dublin near me”, these stores offer both selection and longer weekday hours compared to a grocery aisle.
What is the earliest and latest you can buy alcohol?
Earliest alcohol purchase time in Ireland
- The earliest you can buy alcohol from a shop in Ireland is 10:30 AM on weekdays and 12:30 PM on Sundays, as confirmed by the Courts Service Ireland.
- No shop may serve or sell alcohol before these times, meaning early-morning shoppers won’t find wine or beer at the till.
Latest alcohol purchase time in Ireland
- The latest time to buy alcohol is 10:00 PM every day of the week. This applies to both off-licences and supermarket alcohol aisles.
- For pubs, the drinking-up time is 30 minutes after closing, meaning bar staff can serve until 12:30 AM on Friday/Saturday and 11:00 PM on Sunday, per the Courts Service Ireland.
Off licence delivery near me: after-hours options
- Some off-licences offer delivery services that may have different cut-off times. Carry Out — Irish off-licence delivery network notes that the person receiving delivered goods must be over 18 and provide identification to the driver.
- Delivery cut-off times often land around 8:00 PM or 9:00 PM, slightly earlier than in-store closing.
For anyone searching “off licence delivery near me”, the convenience of not leaving home comes with a narrower window: you typically need to order by 8:00 PM, two hours before the in-store cutoff. Plan ahead for Friday and Saturday nights.
What is the 2 2 2 rule for alcohol?
Explanation of the 2 2 2 rule
- The 2 2 2 rule is a guideline for moderate drinking: no more than 2 drinks per day, 2 days per week, and 2 hours between drinks. It is not a legal restriction on purchasing alcohol in Ireland.
- The HSE — Health Service Executive, Ireland’s public health authority recommends similar low-risk drinking guidelines: no more than 11 standard drinks per week for women and 17 for men, with alcohol-free days.
How the rule affects buying alcohol
- While the 222 rule is a health guideline, not a purchase limit, it influences how responsible shoppers plan their weekly shop. Knowing off licence opening hours helps you stick to your plan without last-minute impulse buys.
“Low-risk drinking guidelines suggest limiting alcohol intake to no more than 11 standard drinks per week for women and 17 for men, with several alcohol-free days each week.”
For anyone managing their intake, the 222 rule is a straightforward personal benchmark. The legal hours just help you stick to it.
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Frequently asked questions
Can I buy alcohol before 10:30 AM in Ireland?
No. Off-licences and supermarkets cannot sell alcohol before 10:30 AM on weekdays or before 12:30 PM on Sundays, as set by Irish law.
Do all off-licences close at 10:00 PM?
Yes, 10:00 PM is the legal closing time for off-licence alcohol sales every day. Some stores may close their alcohol section slightly earlier as a business policy.
Can I buy alcohol in Irish supermarkets on Sundays before 12:30 PM?
No. Sunday alcohol sales from supermarkets and all off-licences cannot start until 12:30 PM. Some stores may have alcohol aisles roped or covered until that time.
Is off-licence delivery available 24 hours in Ireland?
No. Delivery services must follow the same legal hours as physical stores. Most delivery cut-off times are 8:00 PM or 9:00 PM, earlier than in-store closing.
What happens if a shop sells alcohol after 10:00 PM?
The shop can face prosecution and potential loss of its off-licence. The Courts Service and Gardaí enforce these licensing laws.
Do off-licences near me have different hours on public holidays?
St. Patrick’s Day follows Sunday hours. Christmas Day has a complete alcohol sales ban. Good Friday now follows standard Sunday hours since the 2018 law change.
For anyone shopping for alcohol in Ireland, the choice is clear: plan your trip around the 10:30 AM weekday start, the 12:30 PM Sunday start, and the 10:00 PM hard stop every night. Not knowing the off licence opening hours means a wasted journey — and possibly a dry evening.