Legal drinking age in Ireland with parents 2024

Legal drinking age in Ireland with parents: Parents visiting Ireland should know that there is a legal drinking age in Ireland for their kids. Drinking laws as set by the Irish authorities may prevent some of your kids under a certain age from drinking when you visit Ireland. Find out the minimum age requirement to start drinking as a child and the legal age that your child is eligible to drink to know your rights in case of any unforeseen circumstances. All you need to know has been addressed in this article.

Legal drinking age in Ireland with parents

Shops and outlets that sell alcoholic drinks are regulated and controlled by law, and you as a parent cannot use your influence to get your underage child to drink. It is only licensed businesses that are authorized to serve or sell alcohol. Anyone who fails to adhere to the guidelines on the age for drinking in Ireland commits an offense that is punishable by law. There are many places where you can be caught, either in pubs, hotels, and restaurants or during unauthorized hours.

Let it be known: the legal drinking age in Ireland is 18 years old. That is to say, if you are aged 18 and above, you can drink at the bar or other outlets.

There are still special cases where you can bring your child under the age of 18, but there are certain restrictions that must be enforced:

1. If your child is under 15, he or she must be kept under close supervision to avoid losing your visa or other likely fines
2. Children that are less than 15 can only be found on a drinking premises between the hours of 10:30 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. (and up to 10:00 p.m. from May to September).
3. If a child is aged 15 or older and is with his parent or guardian, he can stay on the premises after 9:00 p.m. (10:00 p.m. from May to September) if there is a private function that is organized for them and they are served substantial meals.

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Drinking Age in Ireland 2024

In 2024, the minimum age to drink alcohol will be 18 years old. That is to say, you must be 18 or older to be eligible to buy alcohol in Ireland.

This law is not only applicable to persons in this group; you may also be found wanted if you aid them in the process. Note that it is an offense to offer an alcoholic drink to a person who is under 18. It is also an offense to pretend that you are 18 or older to buy alcohol or to even buy alcohol on behalf of another person who is under 18.

The truth remains that it is wrong to give alcohol to a person who is aged below 18, but there could be exceptions, and that is when the child is at home and their parents consent must be sorted before such administration.

Drinking Age in Ireland 1990

The 1990 drinking age is 18 years. The legal age to drink alcoholic beverages in Ireland has been 18 years old since the 1988 Act.

Can I drink if I’m not with my parents in Ireland?

If you are under 18, you cannot drink without your parents consent. and if you think you can maneuver and drink and you get caught, you will face the full punishment.

If you are aged 18 or more and people are doubtful about your age before they can sell alcohol to you, you can apply to get the Garda Age Card, which should serve as proof of your age. The Garda card is not an ID card; it just proves your age and eligibility to take alcohol.

To enroll for the Garda Age Card, you have to pay €10, but mind you that it is only a voluntary task, and you can apply to get yours online.

Can a 16-year-old drink in a pub in Ireland?

If you are aged 16, you are still under the age group that is restricted from drinking in pubs in Ireland. Don’t you worry, there are just 2 years to get to 18 years, which is the minimum age required.

What can I do at 16 in Ireland?

In your 16s, rather than considering drinking, there are a number of things to consider doing.

• You are eligible to work full-time if you are a graduate, and if you have obtained a National Insurance number, the job you wish to do must have accredited training.
• At 16 in Ireland, you are free to get your own passport, but this must be with a parent’s consent.
• You are free to change your name at this age.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you drink at 14 in Ireland?

Children aged 14 are grouped under the age group that is restricted from drinking in Ireland, so you can’t drink at 14.

When did the drinking age change to 18 in Ireland?

The legal age to drink alcoholic beverages in Ireland is 18 years old; it has not been changed or modified. Although the age as implemented in the year 1988 under the 1988 Act increased the burden of punishment for drinking offenses on the retailers, the aim is to sanction them by asking for the age of a young person who comes to get alcohol from them before selling. However, implementation has been quite difficult since there is no compulsory rule set for young people to come along with their age identity cards, so the vendors may not know if a child is lying.

What is the lowest drinking age in the world?

The lowest age for drinking across the globe is the age of 13, as set by Burkina Faso. This west African country has the lowest age to drink, and children aged 13 and up can drink alcohol.