Christmas Market Beer Tent Relocates for One-Day Student Event

The Black Box Theatre, Galway. Photo: Conall Diggin.

By Dylan Hudson

The annual Christmas Market Beer Tent will be coming to the Black Box Theatre for one day only. 

The event will take place on college Christmas Jumper Day (13 November), an annual student tradition, and follows the controversial restrictions placed on the bar’s Eyre Square location.

It’s a novel move for the business, operated by Róisín Dubh, to circumnavigate the imposed delayed opening date of their signature Eyre Square location, which was notably closed when the Christmas markets opened on Friday.

Following recently placed limitations, the Christmas Market Beer Tent will not open in the city centre until Friday (14 November) and will be unable to sell their traditional 1 litre steins from Monday to Thursday.

The organisers claimed, in a social media post, that this was due to “licensing restrictions, following objections from a small cohort of local publications”, going on to name those that raised complaints.

“The pubs that cause these restrictions to be imposed on our customers are Taylor’s Bar, Monroes, Busker Brownes, and McGinn’s Hop House.”

The hosting of Thursday’s event away from the Eyre Square location nullifies these constraints, instead advertising to “expect all the usual festive craic” which will crucially include the 1 litre tankards of alcohol being served.

Speaking to Galway Pulse, Róisín Dubh co-owner Gugai MacNamara denied any suggestions made that they were ‘hitting back’ at those responsible for the restrictions.

“No, to be honest that did not come into the thinking at all, we wanted to still make sure that we could still provide an event for the students for ‘Christmas day’, like we do every year.”

“I think people are glad to have tickets for somewhere, it’s safer to have events and a place to go because otherwise it can get messy, more people end up at the likes of the [Quincentennial] bridge, causing the guards to get involved.”

Despite not being previously advertised, tickets to the event sold out in just a couple of hours when they went on sale last Monday (3 November), which came as no shock to Gugai.

“The tickets sell out instantly every year, so it was no surprise. We have the tables and equipment from the usual venue, so it was not an overly difficult process to organise”.

“It will be the same experience with maybe just a slightly different look given the location.” Gugai added.

When reached out for his opinion, the owner of Taylor’s Bar, Johnny Duggan did not have major qualms about the event in Terryland.

“I don’t really have any comment other than that I hope the day goes off without any serious incident.”

“It’s a pity Roisin Dubh didn’t decide to hold it in their own property rather than in a venue owned by the city, as they may have been able to sell tickets cheaper.”

“I hope the students have a great day out wherever they go.” Mr Duggan added.