Research briefing series
We created the Drinkaware Research Briefing series to reach out to all stakeholders to build a community of active and interested researchers in the health and behaviour change space. We encourage collaboration both with us and each other through creating an opportunity where we can collectively discuss issues relating to alcohol in Ireland and in so doing, contribute to sharing learnings and knowledge. Email Dr Ann Stokes, Research & Impacts Manager, to be added to our email invite list for future events. We are currently looking at new ways to deliver our research briefings.
Upcoming briefings
Invitation to Drinkaware Summer 2025 Research Briefing
Understanding young adults’ drinking practices and experiences with alcohol in Ireland
Date: Monday 23rd June 2025
Time: 11am
This event will take place online via Zoom
Join us for our Summer 2025 Research Briefing, featuring Niall Brennan, Account Director, Ipsos B&A, delivering the keynote presentation, followed by a Q&A.
Talk title: Understanding young adults’ drinking practices and experiences with alcohol in Ireland
Existing quantitative research provides potential explanations for young adults’ consumption patterns but there is little understanding of how young adults experience alcohol in their everyday lives in Ireland and ultimately what do they need and what are the gaps in information. Ipsos B&A were commissioned to undertake a qualitative research project in late 2024 with the overall aim to explore the views and experiences of drinking alcohol among young adults (aged 18-34 years) in Ireland. A qualitative methodology using an ethnographic approach was taken, putting voices of young adults at the core by ensuring their lived experiences shaped the project. Carefully listening to the experiences of a sample of 24 18–34-year-olds in a non-prescribed manner through semi-structured self-video diaries over the course of five days, provided the best approach to enhance understanding in a way that is relatable to how young adults live their lives, in their own words. The keynote presentation will provide an overview of key findings from this study.
Speaker Biography:
Niall Brennan holds the position of Account Director with Ipsos B&A. He is a behavioural science expert with an MSc Degree in Human Decision Sciences from Maastricht University in the Netherlands and a BBS from DCU.
Having established a solid reputation for developing strategic research solutions using digital ethnography, he has a background as a researcher and brand strategist working for a range of clients in the health, education, finance, tourism and FMCG industries.
Attendance at this event is free. Register via Eventbrite by 5pm on 20th June 2025
All registered participants will be sent an email with instructions on how to attend the briefing via Zoom.
The views expressed in our Research Briefing Series are those of the speakers, based on their work in research and other disciplines.
Past briefings
Winter 2024
An examination of patterns of alcohol consumption among adults in Ireland in 2024
Speaker: John O’Mahony – Since joining B&A in 2004, John designs and manages both qualitative and quantitative research for clients. The ability to deliver a dualist research approach and perspective is a feature he finds particularly rewarding. John’s research for B&A has been nominated for a series of research awards for his work with the Road Safety Authority, RTE Performing Groups and Tourism Ireland.
Join us for our Winter 2024 Research Briefing, featuring John O’Mahony, Director, Ipsos B&A, delivering the keynote presentation, followed by a Q&A.
The keynote presentation will provide a comprehensive overview of key findings from our latest Barometer survey that was conducted by Behaviour & Attitudes during July and August 2024. This research was undertaken in order to provide an overview of adults’ drinking behaviours in Ireland and to their attitudes and motivations regarding alcohol. Collectively, extensive data gathered since the commencement of the Barometer series in 2017 allows for an annual examination of drinking practices over time and how they relate to other practices within daily life.
Key takeaways can be found here
Winter 2023
Drinking behaviour and attitudes among adults in Ireland
Talk: Drinking behaviour and attitudes among adults in Ireland – key trends and patterns
Speaker: John O’Mahony – Since joining B&A in 2004, John designs and manages both qualitative and quantitative research for clients. The ability to deliver a dualist research approach and perspective is a feature he finds particularly rewarding. John’s research for B&A has been nominated for a series of research awards for his work with the Road Safety Authority, RTE Performing Groups and Tourism Ireland.
Key takeaways can be found here
Summer 2022
Parents, COVID-19, and Alcohol: A qualitative study by Dr. Maggie Matthews
Spring 2022
Self-control and alcohol consumption during late adolescence and the transition to young adulthood in Ireland
Talk: Self-control and alcohol consumption during late adolescence and the transition to young adulthood in Ireland
Speaker: Dr Michael Daly, Associate Professor, Department of Psychology, Maynooth University. His research focuses on the relationship between mental and physical health, and the effects of self-control.
Winter 2021
Wellbeing and Behaviour Change
Talk 1: Promoting wellbeing and behaviour change using prompts
Speaker: Dr David Comerford, Behavioural Economist and Senior Lecturer, University of Stirling. Dr. Comerford. He will consider the implications for behaviour and how a simple prompt may be effective at getting us to identify and choose what is in our best interest.
Talk 2: Young adults’ relationships with alcohol
Speaker: Donal Kiernan, Addiction Counsellor, University College Dublin. Donal will talk about his experiences of being an advocate for young adults, building relationships with students and how they manage their relationships with alcohol.
Summer 2021
A year on – drinking behaviours and attitudes in Ireland in the context of COVID-19 in 2021
John O’Mahony, Director at Behaviour & Attitudes, presented a detailed overview of findings from our 2020 Alcohol & Covid-19 Barometer. Read the topline findings.
Spring 2021
Alcohol use among teenagers: Evidence from the 3-year independent evaluation of the Junior-Cycle Alcohol Education Programme
Talk 1: Human behaviour and the importance of storytelling in research
Speaker: David McWilliams, renowned global economist, broadcaster, author and Adjunct Professor at Trinity College Dublin.
Talk 2: Key findings from the Evaluation of Drinkaware’s Junior Cycle Alcohol Education Programme
Speaker: Professor Sinead McGilloway, Founder and Director Centre for Mental Health and Community Research, Department of Psychology Maynooth University
Winter 2020
Why don’t we do what we know is good for us? How can we change that?
Talk 1: How innate (confirmation, cognitive) biases and the environment we live in can stop us from retaining or digesting information and messages that are good for us
Speaker: Padraig Walsh, Behavioural Psychologist, Director ChangeAble Behaviour Solutions ltd.
Talk 2: Case study of engaging and listening to the public: Save the Children Early Years Programme, Northern Ireland
Speaker: Ben Caspersz, Behaviour Change Expert, Founder and Managing Director Claremont Comms (UK)
Autumn 2020
Drinking behaviours and attitudes in Ireland in the context of Covid-19
John O’Mahony, Director at Behaviour & Attitudes, presented a detailed overview of findings from our 2020 Alcohol & Covid-19 Barometer.
Summer 2020
Understanding (intentional/unintentional) binge drinking at home in Ireland
Dr Ann Stokes, Drinkaware Research & Impacts Manager, discussed the findings from our new qualitative study exploring at-home drinking in Ireland.
Spring 2020
The role of law as part of a comprehensive alcohol strategy
In February, Dr Ollie Bartlett, Assistant Professor at the Department of Law, Maynooth University presented a paper on the role of law as part of a comprehensive alcohol strategy.
Winter 2019
Applying behavioural insights to reduce harmful drinking
For our inaugural research briefing, we proudly hosted Ed Flahavan, Policy Advisor, Behavioural Insights Team (UK). Ed navigated attendees through an interactive presentation on behaviour change theory, how it translates into practice and its application to reducing alcohol misuse.