Doran's hope to reopen this week

Rumours that Eammon Doran's, one of Dublin's best-known rock'n'roll venues, had closed over the weekend were clarified by owner Dermot Doran, who spoke to Hot Press this morning. While the doors of the venue have been shut since Friday, Doran explained that the problem was a temporary one. The premises was experiencing "licence trouble", he said, but they were in the process of rectifying the problem.

"We hope to open again later in the week, all going according to plan," Dermot told Hot Press. "We are behind with taxes, and you need a tax clearance certificate to have your license renewed, but I'm hoping to sort things out over the next couple of days. Technically I could trade at the moment but it's better to take this route for the moment. It has nothing to do with any issue other than license trouble."

Eammon Doran's has been one of Dublin's most celebrated venues for many years, with a constant flow of bands playing the downstairs venue in Temple Bar, since Doran took over. The venue and pub has a reputation as a place where young Dublin bands often got their first gigs. Its roll of 'past pupils' includes Radiohead, who played their first ever Irish show there in 1993.