'Claire Byrne Live' was trending on Twitter last night, as the presenter took a look at what "normal" life will be like for Ireland over the coming months.
Hairdressers, dentists, and publicans were put under the microscope on 'Claire Byrne Live' last night, with that killer phrase "the new normal" reading its ugly head more than once on the show. From what we can gather, this is what the 'Claire Byrne Live' team reckon this is what the near future will be looking like, and Claire Byrne's pub scene in particular may have woken viewers up to the reality we could be facing. It's a challenging time for both pub owners and those wanting to be sociable in a bar once again.
Taking herself off to visit the set of 'Fair City', Claire took a trip into McCoy's pub in Carrickstown to see how heading into your local pub will change in the future. And yes, it's quite the drastic difference from three months ago.
In quite a fascinating walkthrough, Claire enters McCoy's and is greeted with hazard tape around the bar, table service, and an eerie, empty scene as up to three bar members will be able to work in close proximity with each other. Joining Claire in the pub scene was 'Liveline' presenter Joe Duffy, publican Billy Keane, and Nuala Carey who were on hand to experience the potential future for the country, sitting at least two metres away from each other.
Tonight on #cblive, Claire is going to McCoy's pub with Joe Duffy, Nuala Carey and Billy Keane. What will it be like to have a drink in a post-pandemic pub? Find out from 10.35pm on RTE One. pic.twitter.com/PjH5PCBN4u
— Claire Byrne Live (@ClaireByrneLive) May 18, 2020
Claire takes a trip to McCoy's pub in Fair City to have a drink with @billykeane15, @joeliveline & @nualacarey25 but there's a catch! We've imposed possible pandemic restrictions there and it is very different to your normal pub experience. #CBLive pic.twitter.com/we1CVd5f4L
— Claire Byrne Live (@ClaireByrneLive) May 18, 2020
Here's the best reactions to what viewers saw unfold.
Imagine walking into a pub for the first time in months and it’s only Nuala Carey and Joe Duffy sitting there #cblive pic.twitter.com/yurkWkznDe
— Graham Patchell ???? (@GrahamPatchell) May 18, 2020
The man has spoken #cblive pic.twitter.com/xqgJynn6x9
— Mark Dargan (@markdargan92) May 18, 2020
I've been in a few pubs where the Coronavirus would be the least of your worries #cblive
— Jamie (@FCTwenteBenson) May 18, 2020
Couldn’t keep the mask on a minute. ?
RTE providing comedy gold tonight.#cblive pic.twitter.com/npSQFCZ0B5
— Erin Hans (@ManDearSir) May 18, 2020
I've had serious craic in country pubs with people sitting this far apart. Ideal for slagging in fact #cblive pic.twitter.com/r1ba6asXWo
— Kevin McGahern (@kevinmcgahern) May 18, 2020
Enough with this state-sponsored scaremongering #cblive
— Cíara (@CiaraFElizabeth) May 18, 2020
On a positive note we won’t have to decorate the pubs this Halloween according to #CBlive pic.twitter.com/KxjRSbb9cW
— Noel Anderson (@NoelAnderson_) May 18, 2020
Tonight's portrayal was like the unveiling of The Dystopian Inn,Noel.Complete with Billy Keane's paw wrapped around the top of the glass of water he threw down onto Claire Byrne's table!
— Arthur J. Raffles (@jean_contente) May 18, 2020
"I've had to deal with tampons and tittys. The least I deserve is a pint..."#cblive pic.twitter.com/LGgEQjPYCK
— Stevie Cahill ☘️ (@StevieCahill) May 18, 2020
There was also a lot of love shared for the poor mannequin who has seen better days.
Hairdressing in the future according to #cblive . It looks like an executioners chair with hairdresser wearing goggles and mask. Is this an April fools joke. It’s a haircut, not open heart surgery! I just heard those words “the new normal” again. pic.twitter.com/5qBf9i6P1U
— Niall Boylan (@Niall_Boylan) May 18, 2020
We have lost the fucking plot ?????
#cblive pic.twitter.com/K53BCdQB57
— Erin Hans (@ManDearSir) May 18, 2020
Peter Mark’s staff on their lunch break when it reopens #cblive pic.twitter.com/W9zl3nLmgP
— Graham Patchell ???? (@GrahamPatchell) May 18, 2020
#cblive here’s my hairdresser and her assistant gearing up to do a perm pic.twitter.com/HUlppYWxoV
— rob&dave kearney (@boringkearney) May 18, 2020
Fair play to that hairdresser for trying her best but this is becoming beyond farcical.
I suppose Chucky will need a haircut too...#cblive pic.twitter.com/O5Q0wvGxlz
— Emma Murphy (@EmmaMurphy12150) May 18, 2020