In Ireland they do drink a lot
Not everybody in Ireland drinks a lot. I have been there and many Irish do not drink alcohol or drink very little. HOWEVER, the ones who do imbibe too much drink large quantities. That is why the per capita alcohol consumed in Ireland is high, but the rate of alcoholism is among the lowest in Europe. BTW, there are temperance halls in all over Ireland. The Irish are also the biggest tea drinkers in the world.