An anecdote about my first visit to Ireland as an adult

It was my birthday (one of those with an 0 in it) and we had booked a night in a Youth Hostel on a small island off the SW coast.
As it was a walking holiday we had travelled lightly and by public transport which meant that we were dependent on the advertized facilities on the island for a meal that evening.
To our surprise (the rumour of a restaurant was false) that turned out to be one very small shop that only sold a restricted choice of non perishable tinned goods

However, there was a bar on the island and at 9 pm we set out for a celebratory drink if deprived of the anticipated meal

When we arrived the doors were firmly shut and I sat on the sea wall opposite the entrance feeling pretty miserable

After a few minutes a jolly man joined us and asked us if we were wanting a drink. Explaining that we had hoped to he opened up for us and served us slowly and beautifully two of the finest pints of Guiness I have ever tasted

In some surprise I asked if he only opened when patrons arrived what time did he close?

He smiled indulgently at me and just queried
'Well what time now would you be wanting to be leaving?'

In memory of Paddy Burke; we remained friends and returned to that bar for many years until his sad death.