While on a recent trip to Ireland, I found myself in a pub in Cork. While there, a group of American tourists came in. One of the Americans said, in a loud voice, " I hear you Irish think you're great drinkers. I bet 5,000 euros that no one here can drink 30 pints of Guinness in 30 minutes. "


The bar was silent, no one took up the bet. The American did notice one Irishman leaving.


Forty minutes later the Irishman who left returned and said " Hey, Yank, is your wee bet still on?" " Sure " , said the American, "30 pints in 30 minutes for a bet of 5,000 euros. "


" Grand so " ,replied the Irishman, " pour the pints and start the clock. "


It was very close but the last drop was consumed with 2 seconds to spare. " OK, Yank, pay up " said the Irishman.


"I'm happy to pay, here is your money said the American. But tell me, when I first offered the wager I saw you leave. Where did you go?? "


The Irishman replied, " Well, Sir, 5,000 euros is a lot of money to a man like me, so I went to the pub across the road to see if I could really do it ."