For four years, Donna Madill, 19, has worked at The Bridge Tavern, located in Wicklow, Ireland. Wicklow is located 40 miles south of Dublin on the east coast.
The Daily Cardinal: How do you become a bartender in Ireland?
Donna Madill: It really depends on your age. A lot of the time younger kids start by collecting glasses on the floor. If people decide to do that, then they usually start out at a young age. You can take a course that's a year long, and then you get more money, but you don't have to.
DC: Why do you do this?
DM: I started because it was just part-time and I was 15. I could go to the pub at 15 and socialize still.
DC: How many people do you know who have worked in pubs?
DM: Probably 70 percent of the people I know. Not all work in pubs now, but they did at some point.
DC: Is it a thankless job?
DM: No, not at all. At first, it started out brilliant. It's great fun-deadly most of the time. Yeah, it can get rowdy, but it can anywhere. It's good fun-especially with music. It's what you make of it.
DC: What was the worst situation you have been in while working?
DM: I'm a very calm person and don't tend to lose my cool. But one time a couple lads got into a fight and I had to verbally de-escalate it. They started trashing stuff. It was OK for me because I learned how to deal with people in nursing training, but it was still a tricky situation.
DC: Do you like the Americans that come into the Bridge?
DM: It depends on the person. I love Americans. I think they're brilliant. It's always a good conversation starter-telling people about my American friends I meet. We all think Americans are really loud, and they are, but they're so laid-back and easy to get along with. We always have a good laugh with them.
DC: What are your hours?
DM: I usually start at 6 in the evening. We close at half-12 [12:30 a.m.], but that's on weekends. It's half-11 [11:30 p.m.] on weekdays. In Dublin, there are the early birds that close at eight so people can go to clubs.
DC: What's the most popular drink?
DM: On weekends, people go mad. It's vodka shots, Red Bull, pints and pints of Guinness.
DC: I know in Ireland, people always ask Americans if college house parties in movies are realistic. The answer is usually no. Do you think America's perception of Irish pubs is accurate?
DM: Not really. There are some pubs of drunk, old men-but only a handful. There's one in Wicklow that no one ever goes to. My age group goes to pubs with no Irish music. They're not portrayed right. They're more classy.
DC: Are you working this St. Patrick's Day?
DM: No. It's the first time I get to go out. I'm hoping to get money and go out.
-Interview conducted by Laura-Claire Corson
