Brief summary of licensing business
- Licensing matters as they relate to intoxicating liquor licences (objections to and transfer of)
- Restaurant certificates
- Club registrations
- Public dance licences
- Public music and singing licences
- Exemption orders and such like
Each year in September the annual licensing court takes place. Some of the matters dealt with are:
- Renewal of restaurant certificates
- Renewal of club registrations
- Renewal of annual public dance licences
- Renewal of public music and singing licences
- Objections to the renewal of liquor licences
- Transfers of liquor licences
Fees
A fee is payable on the great majority of licensing applications. Details of these fees are available in the District Court Fees Order.
Applications
Precedents for the several applications which can be made to the court are available in the District Court Rules.
Register of licences
A register of licences is kept in the office containing “particulars of all licences for the sale of intoxicating liquors existing in respect of premises within the court area and of all renewals, transfers and other proceedings affecting the said licences”. The register also contains details of convictions and other matters relating to the licences. In addition, the register contains particulars of off-licences (beer and spirit) and wholesale beer dealers’ licences.
Any person is permitted to inspect this register on payment of the relevant fee.
Register of clubs
A register of clubs is also kept containing the names of clubs in the court area; the dates of granting and renewal of the certificate of registration; the address of the club; and the names and addresses of the committee and officials of the club.
Any person is permitted to inspect this register and a copy of the club rules on payment of the relevant fee.
Orders requiring judge’s signature
Submit to the District Court office (or in Dublin — the District Licensing Office):
- Wine off-licence — certificates
- Spirit, beer and wine off-licence — certificates
- Wholesale beer dealers’ licence — certificate
- Orders to amend the licensing register
- Certificates of revival — orders made under section 30 Intoxicating Liquor Act 1960
- Lottery / bingo licences
Dublin District Licensing Dates
2025: District Court Licensing Dates
| Place of Sitting | Dates |
|---|---|
| Dublin (Court 23, Four Courts, Dublin 7) | Every Wednesday during term. |
Dublin Metropolitan licensing applications
Dublin Metropolitan Licensing Court
All licensing applications in the Dublin Metropolitan District must be made in Court No. 23, Áras Uí Dhálaigh.
Save during the District Court vacation periods, when applications will be directed to the appropriate District Court by the Licensing Office in Áras Uí Dhálaigh.
Dated this 12 April 2017
Signed: Rosemary Horgan, President of the District Court.
Practice & Procedure 2025
IMPORTANT NOTICE
The Dublin District Annual Licensing Court will be held in Court No. 23, Four Courts, Inns Quay, Dublin 7.
For the efficient running of the Annual Licensing Court, we ask that all applications be lodged as soon as possible, but not later than Monday 8 September 2025 at 12:30 p.m.
General requirements for all applications
- Ensure that all documents are lodged together.
- Applications will not be listed on the Annual Licensing date unless all documents are lodged with the application.
- Include the name and full address of the solicitor/applicant on the application.
- Provide a copy of your notice of application for court receipt to retain for your files.
- State on the application form the type of intoxicating liquor licence attached to the premises.
PLEASE NOTE THAT YOU MAY BE REQUIRED TO LODGE FURTHER DOCUMENTS PARTICULAR TO YOUR APPLICATION.
Confirmations and Certificates of Transfer
- Notice of Application stamped with €150.00 per licence
(a) Include the description of the type of Intoxicating Liquor Licence attached to the premises.
(b) Include the name of the previous licensee.
- Statutory Declaration of service (for Non-CSOL Applications) on all notice parties.
- Original newspaper advertisement — published at least 21 days before the court date (relevant page only showing date of publication).
- Relevant Company documents (if applicable):
- Memorandum and Articles of Association (objects clause) or Company Constitution
- Certificate of Incorporation
- Up-to-date Company Printout showing current directors and addresses
- Ordinary resolution under seal authorising director(s) to make the application
- Independent Auditor/Accountant Certificate confirming up-to-date compliance with filing and tax requirements under the Companies Act 2014, or a Company Secretary Certificate (if tax filing falls between 1 Sept and 25 Nov 2025)
- Certified copy of stamped deed of title or lease is required.
For Court
- Current Licence
District Court Licensing Fees
In this section you will find the list of fees for the District Court, as per Part 4, Licensing Matters.
Part 4 — Licensing matters
| Item | Fee | Document to be stamped |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Declaration under section 15(1) Intoxicating Liquor Act 1960 | €150.00 | The application |
| 2. Certificate for grant of spirit grocer’s or retail beer dealer’s licence — | — | — |
| €150.00 | The application |
| €150.00 | The application |
| 3. Interim transfer / endorsement under section 28 Intoxicating Liquor Act 1960 | €150.00 | The application |
| 4. Certificate of transfer of a licence | €150.00 | The notice of intention |
| 5. Issue of a certificate of renewal of a licence | €150.00 | The certificate or court fee card |
| 6. Certificate for grant of a new wholesale beer dealer’s licence | €150.00 | The notice of intention |
| 7. Special Exemption Order * | €150.00 | The application |
| 8. General Exemption Order | €150.00 | The application |
| 9. Occasional licence | €150.00 | The application |
| 9a. s.23 Intoxicating Liquor Act 2000 — Authorised Event at racecourse/greyhound track | €150.00 | The application |
| 10. Order under section 19 Intoxicating Liquor Act 1960 | €150.00 | The application |
| 10a. Order under section 20(2) Intoxicating Liquor Act 2000 | €150.00 | The application |
| 10b. Order under section 20(3) Intoxicating Liquor Act 2000 | €150.00 | The application |
| 11. Certificate under section 27 Intoxicating Liquor Act 1960 | €150.00 | The application |
| 12. Order under section 10 Intoxicating Liquor Act 1962 | €750.00 | The application |
| 13. Authorisation under section 14 Intoxicating Liquor Act 1962 | €150.00 | The application |
| 14. Order under section 16 Intoxicating Liquor Act 1962 | €150.00 | The application |
| 15. Order under section 17 Intoxicating Liquor Act 1962 | €150.00 | The application |
| 16. Declaration under section 16 Intoxicating Liquor Act 1960 | €150.00 | The application |
| 16a. Restaurant certificate or limited restaurant certificate | €150.00 | The application |
| 17. Declaration under section 15(2) Intoxicating Liquor Act 1960 | €150.00 | The application |
| 18. Certificate of registration of a club * | €150.00 | The application |
| 19. Authorisation for an extension of club hours | €150.00 | The application |
| 20. Inspecting the Licensing Register or Clubs Register | €35.00 | Requisition for inspection / court fee card |
| 21. Public dancing licence (not exceeding one month) | €150.00 | The application |
| 22. Any other public dancing licence * | €335.00 | The application |
| 23. Music and singing licence | €150.00 | The application |
| 24. Certificate for a gaming licence | €150.00 | The application |
| 25. Certificate of qualification — auctioneer/house agent | €150.00 | The application |
| 26. Lottery licence (s.28 Gaming and Lotteries Act 1956) | €150.00 | The application |
| 27. Any other order, declaration, certificate or licence in licensing matters | €150.00 | The application |
| 28. Lodging a notice of objection to the renewal of an Intoxicating Liquor Licence | €35.00 | The notice |
* Fee excludes any applicable Excise Duty.
