Popular Achill pub due to reopen next week

A POPULAR Achill pub which has been closed for business for over a year is due to reopen to the public next week.

The Annexe Inn in the village of Keel on Achill Island which has been closed since November 2022 is due to reopen for business on Wednesday, April 17.

The current licensee, Anthony McNamara informed Judge Fiona Lydon of his intention to reopen the pub on this date when he appeared before Castlebar District Court yesterday morning where an application was made for an ad-interim transfer of the licence to Achill Taverns Limited.

The court heard that the pub has been undergoing renovations for the last number of months in preparation of opening and a four year lease with Achill Taverns Limited will commence on April 15.

Mr Patrick Moran, solicitor for Mr McNamara said his client and his wife are currently the beneficial owners of the pub having previously owned it along with his late brother.

In January, the licence was transferred to Mr McNamara from Keel Tavern Ltd whose shareholders consisted of Mr McNamara and his sister-in-law Margaret McNamara. Keel Tavern Ltd went into a voluntary liquidation process in April 2023 and completed on August 23, 2023.

Mr Moran explained that Achill Taverns Limited is owned by Mr Anthony McNamara and his wife and he is transferring the licence to the limited company for operational purposes.

Mr McNamara told Judge Lydon that he has been involved in the licence trade for over 30 years and is aware of the rules regarding the sale of alcohol and asking for identification.

Mr Moran explained that the Revenue have yet to post the original licence for the premises to show to the court but he has a copy sent by email.

However, Judge Lydon said that she could not grant the application until she sees the original licence. She also felt the application was premature as the lease with Achill Taverns Limited will not commence until April 15.

Judge Lydon noted that apart from the presentation of the original licence she was satisfied that all the proofs were in order to grant the application. Inspector Naomi de Rís confirmed that there was no Garda objection to the application.

Judge Lydon adjourned the application until April 16 - the day after the lease commences - and stated she will grant the application on that date subject to the production of the original licence from Revenue.