Hollywood star Chris O’Dowd got behind the wheel to help people in remote areas get home from the pub.
Social Spin is a pilot programme supported by Guinness and the Vintners Federation of Ireland to provide a safe and sociable transport option.
The Roscommon actor told the Irish Mirror: “It’s such a fantastic initiative. I heard about it and it seemed like a nice bit, definitely something I can see being useful around my own community in Boyle.
“Especially around the outskirts, people are clearly more isolated.
“It’s just such a lovely community thing.
“It’s like having a whole bunch of designated drivers and it just means people can socialise and commune.
“As Ireland and other places become so much more urbanised, you don’t want these rural areas to fall behind.
“It’s not really about drinking, it’s about making sure everyone stays connected.”
After noticing a downturn in customers, publicans in Causeway, North Kerry, and
Faha in South Kerry came together to address isolation in the community by creating a unique transport solution.
O’Dowd, 40, helped out by driving some of the locals to the pub, which he said was hilarious.
He added: “There was a lot of ‘I feel like I know you from somewhere... are you from Killarney?’”
Every day from 5pm to closing time, more than 70 volunteer drivers throughout Causeway and Faha have signed up to drive to the pub and back home instead
of drinking.
Anyone over the age of 25 and licensed to drive can sign up.
Pub-goers can either call or text the dedicated Social Spin number when they want to go to the pub.
All six publicans who introduced the initiative have seen a positive impact with notable increase in sociability, a more connected community spirit and a renewed sense of vibrancy in the area.
