“Alcohol is the point of departure in Irish life for more serious dependency problems” stated Brian Lenihan TD, Minister of State for Health and Children, in his opening remarks to the audience in St Patrick’s College Cavan on Saturday 28 September.

John Lonergan, the Governor of Mountjoy Jail
and Bishop Ken Clarke, relax at the conference.

The conference was tackling the difficult issue of how the culture of alcohol abuse among young people in Ireland might be changed. The inputs on the day ranged from academic consideration of what we mean by concepts of culture and cultural change to very pragmatic observations from speakers such as the Governor of Mountjoy Jail, Mr John Lonergan. The conference was notable as a cross-community initiative being jointly hosted by the Roman Catholic and Church of Ireland dioceses of Kilmore and supported by a range of regionally-based organisations. Both Bishop Leo O'Reilly and Bishop Ken Clarke spoke with feeling on the subject, which they have identified as a major issue, not just in their region, but for the country as a whole.

Mr Lenihan expressed his personal concern with the ease with which the young gain access to alcohol in a series of responses during a Q&A session. He dealt at some length with issues around the liberalisation of licensing laws in Ireland and with the lack of alternatives to alcohol-centred facilities in many commentaries.

Rev Gillian Wharton, Chaplain and Head of Religious Education, Rathdown School, Glenageary and former Youth Officer with the Church of Ireland Archdiocese of Dublin delivered a challenging address that asked participants to engage in self-examination. Whether we class ourselves as moderate ‘in-control’ drinkers or whether we merely join in a society that accepts alcohol as an integral part of almost every significant event – we are all part of the problem. From cradle to grave, she argued, every significant and symbolic act is reflected upon and observed through the lens of wine, beer or whisky glass. Why are we surprised that the recent period of dramatic social change – notable for the rise in disposable wealth of young people – should be associated with their celebrating their good fortune with alcohol?

Rev Gillian Wharton believes society as a whole relies too much on alcohol.

Mr Micheál MacGréil SJ, former Lecturer in Sociology, St Patrick's College, Maynooth and current Chairperson of the Board of Management, Pioneer Total Abstinence Association spent some time reflecting on the nature of culture and what it takes to change culture. He felt that the challenges facing Ireland were not to be underestimated, but that society as a whole could only move forward if the issues were properly identified and acted upon.

The participants included a significant number of young people, and they responded warmly to addresses by the Governor of Mountjoy Jail, Mr John Lonergan and by Mr D.J. Carey, Kilkenny Senior Inter-County Hurler.

Among those leading the workshops in the afternoon was Rev Paul Whittaker, Chairman of the Diocesan Youth Council (Armagh) and a member of the Central Board Executive of the Church of Ireland Youth Department.

Rev Paul Whittaker: Workshop revealed startling ideas
about the role of alcohol in Irish society.

His topic was ‘Coping with young people from their perspective’. In the classroom were about 30-40 people from an age of between 14 and 50yrs. A team of 3 young people from Paul's parish in Annaghmore were interviewed about their opinion on changing the culture of alcohol abuse and young people.

During the ensuing discussion, some startling perceptions were expressed. Many present felt that while, in Europe introduce their young people to alcohol in the family over a meal and don't engage with the idea of drinking to get drunk, in Ireland getting drunk is becoming socially acceptable. In America the age for consuming alcohol is 21 years and people have to carry identification papers. However, sporting bodies in Ireland use bars and hotels to present prizes and awards and our young people are often encouraged to be in places where alcohol is present.

What are the alternatives? At several points during the conference, the government was urged to address the need to provide funding so that we can offer alternatives in the areas of sport and leisure. Many participants felt that the Churches need to be more involved, both in the provision of alternative models and, potentially, in the process of re-educating adults and parents.