“The best parts of an Irish Christmas—the connection, the generosity, and the time to relax—have nothing to do with alcohol.”

We are grateful to Colleen Frawley for her thoughtful and timely article published in The Irish Times. Her reflection on Irishness, alcohol, and the often-unspoken impact on families—particularly children—offers clarity, compassion, and honesty.

As Colleen writes, “The best parts of an Irish Christmas—the connection, the generosity, and the time to relax—have nothing to do with alcohol.”

That insight deeply aligns with the values we hold at Sober St. Patrick’s Day®. It echoes what we have seen through lived experience and years of work in the recovery field: that culture, community, and belonging are strongest when they are rooted in presence rather than excess.

We are honored to be included alongside organizations whose work we respect, including Alcohol Action Ireland, and alongside evidence-based approaches such as CRAFT (Community Reinforcement & Family Training), which support families and communities impacted by alcohol use.

As we close out the year, we remain grateful for writers, advocates, and organizations willing to speak honestly about alcohol’s role in Irish culture—while also imagining healthier, more inclusive narratives for the generations that follow. At Sober St. Patrick’s Day®, we believe celebration can be joyful, meaningful, and deeply connected—without alcohol at the center.

🔗 Read the article:https://lnkd.in/eb3ZmSDx