What this application does
The occasional licence application allows the court to grant a licence for an unlicensed premises, for a “special event”.
You must first be the holder of an existing on-licence (not including a special restaurant licence). If granted, the applicant can sell all types of alcohol allowed under the existing on-licence.
An occasional licence can only be granted for up to six days consecutive days per application. However, you are not limited to one application per year.
How much the application costs
There is a fee of €260 per application.
How to apply
1. Complete your application
If you are a legal practitioner and have an account in CSOL, you can complete the application in CSOL. Alternatively, you can complete the application Form 76.1 manually.
2. Serve the notice parties
You must notify or serve the relevant notice parties for your application. If the application is submitted in CSOL, the notice parties are automatically notified. Alternatively, you can serve the notice manually. Please see our serving and proof of service page for more information. For this application, the notice parties are:
- An Garda Síochána must be notified at least forty eight hours prior to the court date.
- The HSE must notified at least one month prior to the court date.
The Fire Officer is not a required notice party. However, in most districts, the practice is to notify the Fire Officer.
3. Submit your application
You must lodge your application at least forty eight hours prior to the court date.
4. Provide proofs to the court office
You will need to provide the required supporting documentation or "proofs" to the court office. This must be done manually as there is currently no option to upload the "proofs" listed below via CSOL.
What proofs are required
- Original notice of application with relevant stamp duty. The application should include details of:
- set out the name and address of the applicant,
- that the applicant is the holder of an on-licence,
- identify the premises to which the on-licence attaches,
- identify the unlicensed premises proposed to be licensed with the occasional licence,
- set out the special event to which the application relates,
- set out the dates and times the applicant is applying to sell alcohol.
- Statutory declaration of service (only where application is served manually).
- Consent of the owner to the area being licenced.
- Licence - Evidence that the applicant is the holder of an on-licence (not including a special restaurant licence). Evidence may also be needed to show whether the staff selling alcohol at the event are employees of the applicant. If not, evidence may be requested to show that they have undergone appropriate training on the responsible selling of alcohol.
- Confirmation that there is no objection from An Garda Síochána.
What additional proofs you may be asked for
Each judge or district may have additional requirements. This may include all or some of the below "proofs". It is advisable to check with your local court office.
- Special Event - Evidence from the applicant that the event is a special event and complies with conditions for the grant of the licence.
- Event Licence - Where an outdoor public event is expected to attract more than 5,000 people, evidence that an event licence has been granted by the local authority.
- Map - Showing the area proposed to be licensed and confirmation that the area is not already licensed, for example, by declaration or letter from owner or licensing search.
- Suitability of the premises or event management plan. The court must be satisfied that the premises is suitable for the proposed event and for the sale of alcohol under the occasional licence. Evidence should be given as to the suitability of the premises and management of the event.
- Company Documents - where the applicant is a company.
