A staple of pre-pandemic Limerick nightlife, Costello's Tavern, affectionately known as Costies, has been closed since the original Covid-19 lockdown of 2020.

With rumours circulating for months of a possible re-opening, Limerick rejoiced when news broke of much-loved publican Flannan Costello's application for a public dancing license.

The Limerick Post newspaper published a notice today of Flan's intention to file this license application to the Limerick District Court on September 22.

The news has not yet been confirmed - but this hasn't stopped photographs of the license application appearing on Twitter this morning, with a host of users expressing their utter glee at the thought of returning to the famous strobe lights and banger playlists of Costies.

This just in, Flan Costello is applying for a late dance licence ;)

— eyeleesh 📷 (@eilis_walsh) August 11, 2022

Stand out comments from Twitter include: "Fivers at the ready", "A rite of passage", with one Limerick native who emigrated during the pandemic exclaiming: "I will literally fly home."

Even previous Mayor of Limerick, Councillor Daniel Butler, is getting in on the action, retweeting a post from earlier this year when restrictions lifted, where he conveyed his excitement a the chance of the iconic pub's re-opening, saying: "Retweeting this in hope the promised day will soon be upon us. Sticky carpet here we come..."

Flan, as he's fondly known, founded Costello's back in the '70s and the landmark has since cemented itself into the framework of the Limerick nightlife scene.

It's yet unknown if the Milk Market wing of Costello's will ever return, but with this news alongside the announcement of Smyths Bar & d’Icon Nightclub re-opening this September - it's safe to say Limerick nightlife is soon to be back and better than ever.

Up on the fridge, can’t believe my eyes pic.twitter.com/hKCqjdl91w

— El/len Reid-Buckley (@ereidbuckley) August 12, 2022