Opera House licence refused

CORK Opera House has failed in its legal challenge over the refusal of the Revenue Commissioners to grant it a drinks licence under a licensing arrangement which has operated for almost 150 years.

Up to 2004, Cork Opera House, which was founded in 1855 and is the only opera house in the State, had secured an excise license, issued annually by Cork City Council, under the provisions of the Cork Improvement Act 1868.

However, after a local garda sergeant had queried the licensing arrangement, the Revenue had in 2004 described the licensing situation as an “anomaly” and had indicated the license would not be renewed under the 1868 act.