Sir, – Conor Farrell (July 8th) writes, "Surely those who wish to mark [Good Friday] in the Christian calendar can refrain from alcohol themselves without needing to impose a law banning it for both themselves and everyone else?"
Of course they can, and I don’t think the law should impose any religious duty or prohibition upon any one.
However, I suggest that the ban of alcohol on Good Friday is well worth keeping for cultural reasons.
In a globalised world where so many societies seem like replicas of each other, shouldn’t we cherish such little differences? And isn’t there something uninspiring about a society where everything is available all of the time?
The human spirit cries out for seasons and limits – and, yes, even for taboos.
I am all in favour of the Good Friday alcohol ban precisely because it makes no sense – that is, no utilitarian, rationalistic, obvious sense.
This trivial hardship is well worth holding on to, because it reminds us that we are a nation and not simply an aggregation of individuals. – Yours, etc,
MAOLSHEACHLANN
Ó CEALLAIGH,
Sillogue Gardens,
Ballymun,
Dublin 11.