Several local publicans had growing issues with Galway’s traditional festive addition.
An objection was lodged before the courts by local businesses which called for a curtailment on the serving of midweek steins, a reduction in capacity and for the tent to finish trading earlier in the night.
A license was eventually granted to the beer tent on the condition that steins would only be served from Friday until Sunday.
The restrictions imposed on the beer tent will also see its opening date pushed back by a week to Friday, November 14, while the rest of the Christmas Market will begin trading from Friday, November 7.
In a post on social media, representatives from the beer tent confirmed that the restrictions had been imposed due to “objections from a small cohort of local publicans”.
The Galway Christmas beer tent is operated by the Róisín Dubh on Dominick Street.
Co-owner of the pub, Eoghan McNamara, also known as Gugai, confirmed that the restrictions were imposed partly due to other businesses objecting to the market’s bar license.
In a statement to the Irish Independent, he said: “We have been running the Christmas Market beer tent since 2015 without incident, but sadly a small number of local publicans decided, in their wisdom, to object to the licence this year.
“The restrictions make no sense to us and in our opinion, are deeply unfair to those attending Monday to Thursday.
“Also, losing the first week will undoubtedly affect the market both financially and in terms of atmosphere.
“We are hugely saddened and disappointed by the actions of our competitors, but unfortunately, we ran out of time in the fight to get these restrictions removed.
“Going forward we will continue to fight for the right for all our customers to be treated as equals and for everyone to equally enjoy the Christmas Market beer tent,” he added.
One of the pub owners involved in the dispute has responded to the statement and said they have the “full support” of those in the area.
They added that, despite numerous attempts and meetings organised by Galway City Council, including councillor Peter Keane and others, the group of publicans felt they were left with little choice but to take action, citing concerns that the large crowd leaving the beer tent could create problems for nearby pubs.
“[The] majority, if not all the pubs in the city have concerns with the Christmas tent and what it has become.
“We are not against it, just concerned as to how big it had become.”
The owner said the pubs opposing the tents have been criticised on social media over the stein ban. However, he said that the publicans involved had several other concerns in addition to the serving of steins.
“It’s nothing to do with jealousy. I have a small pub and it would be full anyways, but all the publicans in the area have issues with it.
“It’s very unfortunate because we’re a small town and we all support each other. It’s a pity it wasn’t put to bed before now.”
The pubs named in the social media post have all been contacted for comment.