Irish Bill Would Extend Pub Hours

A bill sponsored by the Irish government would extend some pub hours.

A spokeswoman, Kate O’Toole, explained Friday that bars would be allowed to remain open until midnight between May and September under the draft legislation expected to be approved by Parliament in February. The current closing time is 11:30 p.m.

The 10 p.m. close on Sundays would also be extended year-round, until 11 p.m., and restaurants that are now allowed to serve only wine with meals would be permitted to sell whiskey and beer, as well.

But the so-called “holy hour,” the afternoon tradition whereby bars close for an hour at 2:30, would survive under the legislation despite pressure to abolish it.