Outdoor Event Licence

Organisers of outdoor events with an audience of more than 5,000 may have to apply to Kilkenny County Council for a licence.

What is classified as an outdoor event?

An outdoor event is defined as a public performance which takes place mainly in the open air or in a structure with no roof or a partial, temporary or retractable roof, a tent or similar temporary structure and which consists of music, dancing, displays of public entertainment or any activity of a like kind.

When do I need a licence?

Where an outdoor public event comprises of an audience of 5,000 or more people, the organiser is required to obtain an Outdoor Events Licence from Kilkenny County Council. This is in accordance with the Planning & Development Act 2000 (as amended), Part 16 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001 (as amended) and the Planning and Development (Licensing of Outdoor Events) Regulations 2026.

Regulations in relation to the licensing of events

Mandatory for event promoters to have a pre-application consultation meeting with the relevant local authority prior to submitting an events licence application
Events licence applications will not be accepted by Kilkenny County Council unless a pre-application consultation has already taken place with the event promoter
Where it is proposed to add performances to a schedule already announced, a further pre-application consultation meeting will be required to take place before the announcement of any additional dates.
Event promoters will not be entitled to advertise or sell tickets for events prior to the holding of a pre-application consultation meeting with Kilkenny County Council.
Where tickets for events have been advertised and sold prior to the holding of a pre-application consultation meeting, an application for an event licence will not be accepted by Kilkenny County Council.
Within the period of two weeks before the date of applying for a licence, the applicant shall publish a notice of his or her intention to submit an application in—

(a) one local newspaper circulating where the proposed event is to take place, and

(b) one national newspaper.

Event licensing applications (letter of application, public notice, drawings/plans, event management plans etc.) must be lodged with Kilkenny County Council at least 20 weeks in advance of the proposed event.
Kilkenny County Council shall make an application, any accompanying documents, maps and drawings and any submission or observation made in relation to the application, available for inspection during office hours at the offices of the local authority and such other places as it considers appropriate
Any person may make a submission or observation in writing to the local authority in respect of an application not later than three weeks from the date of receipt of the application by the local authority
A submission or observation under paragraph (1) shall not be considered by the local authority unless it—

(a) states the name of the person or organisation making the submission or observation, and

(b) indicates the contact address and Eircode (including email address where appropriate) and telephone number to which any correspondence relating to the submission or observation should be sent.

Kilkenny County Council shall make their decision on an event licence application not earlier than eight weeks after the date of receiving the application and not later than 12 weeks prior to the date for the holding of the proposed event