subs. (Irish and Scots’).—(1) Any unlicensed place where excisable liquors are sold; whence (2) a low (or wayside) public-house. Also as verb., SHEBEENING, and SHEBEENER: the last term applies to persons frequenting as well as to those keeping a SHEBEEN.
c. 1787. Kilmainham Minit [Ireland Sixty Years Ago (1847), 88]. Wid de stuff to a SHEBEEN we hied.
1818. LADY MORGAN, Flora Macarthy, I. ii. 105. The humble inn-keeper of Holy-cross had recently fitted up a couple of bed-rooms in what had lately been a mere SHEBEAN house.
1841. LEVER, Charles O’Malley, vii. A little country ale-house, or in Irish parlance, SHEBEEN, which stood at the meeting of four bleak roads.
1845. BUCKSTONE, The Green Bushes, i. 2. Geo. Have you been to the SHEBEEN?
1870. Figaro, 14 Dec. Three extensive captures of SHEBEENERS were made in Glasgow on Sunday. One hundred and twenty persons were found in the dens…. Why are SHEBEENS and SHEBEENERS so numerous in the North?
1873. Scotsman, 15 Feb. TO OWNERS of INNS, HOTELS, and PUBLIC-HOUSES.—XXX (who is a brother Innkeeper) thinks it high time that we form an ASSOCIATION to protect ourselves against Grocers, SHEBEENERS, and others who sell LIQUORS which are consumed on their Premises, and who hold no Licence to do so. Suggestions, &c….
1883. HARRIETT JAY, My Connaught Cousins, I. i. 22. There is a little SHEBEEN close by where we will take a rest.
1892. Daily Chronicle, 17 Aug., 3, 7. CARDIFF. The designation of this town as “The City of SHEBEENS,” was further justified to-day.
