The Grianán an Aileach Interpretative Centre in Burt, Co Donegal, has won its High Court action against Donegal County Council seeking to significantly extend the "cultural" activities that take place in the centre.
Mr Justice Kelly yesterday directed that the centre may be used for activities such as themed festivals, banquets, dinners, lunches, music, storytelling, poetry, song and dance. He said the council had been incorrect in refusing permission for such activities.
However, he said the centre may not be used as a nightclub or for holding weddings.
It may also not be used solely or primarily as a restaurant without the county council's permission.
Mr Justice Kelly said the fact that some of the new activities were to occur on a weekly basis did not debar them from taking place, provided they were cultural or intercultural.
He said the term "culture" was not easily defined but in the ordinary understanding of the word it seemed to cover activities such as music, storytelling, poetry, song and dance. As the planning permission for the centre had been for intercultural activities, these were not confined to any one particular place or time.
It was clearly a case in which the court was entitled to grant a declaration as to the true meaning of the planning permission, and the declaration sought clearly related to the legal rights and entitlements of the parties.