10,000 thirsty Irish fans flock to city for vital Six Nations match

Published on Saturday 14 March 2009 10:42

PUBS are gearing up for a bumper weekend as thousands of Irish rugby fans descend on the city for today's Six Nations match.

Some landlords have quadrupled their drinks order for Guinness and Magners ahead of a friendly Irish invasion.

Up to 10,000 Irish fans are in Edinburgh for the clash and are sure to be in the mood to party ahead of St Patrick's Day on Tuesday.

With the Hibs-Hearts derby at Easter Road and a St Patrick's Day Parade on the Royal Mile both set for today, and the Meadows Marathon due to take place tomorrow, it's set to be a busy weekend for the police.

Jason Borthwick, general manager at Ryan's Bar in the West End,

said: "We have had to order lots of extra stock.

"We have probably quadrupled what we normally get in of Guinness and Magners and doubled everything else.

"It is probably the busiest weekend of the year – or even two years – for us. We are always mobbed for the rugby, especially Ireland games."

The owner of Dropkick Murphys on Merchant Street, Christy O'Connor, said he had ordered 90 kegs of Guinness for this weekend and St Patrick's Day on Tuesday – each containing 50 litres or 88 pints – instead of the usual weekly 20 kegs.

He added: "We have doubled up on absolutely everything else too.

"This is the busiest weekend of the whole year for us and St Patrick's Day is an extra bonus as well.

"With the Irish in town, they drink more than the Welsh, Italians, French and English put together!"

As well as the 67,000 supporters at the stadium, thousands more fans are due to watch in bars across the Capital.

Previous research for Scottish Rugby has found that one home Six Nations match is worth about 10 million to the Edinburgh economy.

Lothian and Borders Police say they are confident they will not be stretched.

Superintendent Mark Williams said: "The force has a lot of experience in dealing with major events in the city of Edinburgh.

"We will have significant resources deployed over the weekend to cope with the events taking place, in addition to our day-to-day duties."

How do you think Scotland will get on against Ireland?

Adam Thomson, 30, sales manager, Marchmont: "I think it will be a very hard fixture. I hope to see a glimmer of the pace and passion Scotland started to show against Italy."

Bill Morrison, 53, risk manager, Gilmerton: "I think it will be a tough game but the Murrayfield crowd will be behind our boys all the way."

Kirsty Palmer, 28, nurse, Leith: "I think Scotland might surprise everyone and pull it off."