Ah, but are there figures on alcohol-related revenue? You might find they even themselves out… 
Sorry for continuing the hijack.
This page, http://archives.tcm.ie/irishexaminer/2000/11/07/current/ipage_28.htm, which was written in November 2000 says
Please note that in my previous cite it’s not clear whether the 2.4 billion per year in cost to the state was in Euros or Punts. The original page just has a right-angle dingbat where the currency symbol should be and since the report was written recently but the figures are from 1999, I can’t really tell what was intended.
Thanks metroshane, now that I think about it, they do look just like swallows.
You rock.
Now, if you want to know why so many tattoos are traditional…back during WWII (the hieght of tattoo popularity with the military) there were fluxes of men coming ashore to get tattoos…and not really that many ink choices…so few common tattoos they could do quickly were prefered.
Zippidie do dah
Zippidie-ya
My, oh my, what a wonderful day.
Got a bluebird on my shoulder
……
And two of ‘em on your belly is even better!
“Bluebird of Happiness” is the eastern bluebird. belongs to the robin family, but looks like a swallow, esp. tail.
Early American settlers liked them for their socialability, thought that whenever they were around things would be good. Symbol of marriage, good health.
The tatoos have been a standard fare of sailors since southerners starting joining the U.S. Navy after the civil war.
Most sailor tats of bluebirds have a name inscribed under them, usually the children of the sailor.