Published: Wednesday, 4th August, 2010 5:00pm

Cornafean publican loses bid for fleadh licence

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A Cornafean publican's bid to obtain an occasional licence for a disused pub in Cavan for the weekend of the fleadh has been refused in Cavan Circuit Court by Judge John D. O'Hagan, who described the application as "disingenuous".

Art McSeain, McSeains Public House, Drumcoghill Lower, Cornafean brought the application for an occasional licence for 27 Bridge Street, Cavan (formerly known as The Eagle Bar) before Judge O'Hagan as an appeal from the district court.

The application was for a licence from the Thursday to Sunday of the fleadh, August 19-22, on the special occasion of a social and promotion on behalf of Cornafean Traditional Irish Music Club.

Judge O'Hagan was told that the group wanted to bring their music club to Cavan town for the national event in a case of "the mountain has to come to Mohammed".

Witness Padraig McSeain, who operates the pub in Cornafean, explained that the premises on Bridge Street was fully fitted out as a public house but no longer had a licence and isn't operating as a pub. He said the Cornafean Traditional Irish Music Club normally perform on his premises. Questioned by Inspector Alan Cunningham, Mr. McSeain said he didn't think the club was affiliated to Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann (CCÉ) but was "a localised club" and had been playing for 30 years.

Paddy McDermott, chairman of Cornafean Traditional Irish Music Club, was called to the witness stand, and informed the court that while the group was not registered as a club, he and other members were members of CCÉ.

"I enjoy traditional music as much as the next person, but who came up with this idea?" asked Judge O'Hagan.

Mr. McDermott said "it would be nice" for the group, who have competed in fleadhanna since 1978, to be together for the fleadh in Cavan, and he felt that "everyone that plays will enhance the fleadh".

Ken Connolly, BL, asked Mr. McDermott if they could do so without a drinks licence.

"I don't think they'd be enamoured with the idea of playing in a place where you couldn't get a drink, being honest," said the witness.

Asked by the garda inspector as to the level of formality of the music group, the chairman admitted they made "ad hoc arrangements" rather than having formal meetings, explaining that he felt he "had enough to do to teach children music" and didn't want to be "saddled with the paraphernalia of meetings".

He said they may not have "certification for it", but the group "is famous for what they have done and contributed to music", adding that they had won medals at previous All-Ireland fleadhanna.

A fire officer was called to give evidence and told of issues that would need to be address prior to any possible licence being granted.

Mr. Connolly described the music club as "a well-respected group", but Judge O'Hagan pointed out that there was "no evidence that one penny of what is collected at this pub will go anywhere near that club".

Refusing the application, he said it was "disingenuous" and advised Mr. McSeain to "go and lease a pub somewhere in Cavan if he can get one... Don't be trying to import his licence into Cavan".

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