That iconic picture of President Barack Obama sipping a pint of Guinness on his trip to Ireland last year may not be repeated when he returns for the G8 Summit next June.

In fact the visit to Fermanagh by world leaders could be a very sober affair, with not a drop of the black stuff passing their lips.

Indeed they could be sipping nothing stronger than tea or coffee because yesterday (Wednesday) at Fermanagh Court the Lough Erne Resort, where they will be staying, failed to have its liquor licence renewed. There was no-one from the hotel nor any solicitor nor legal representative present when the case was called.

District Judge Liam McNally pointed out that the hotel's Tourist Board Certificate and Entertainment Licence, both of which are required before the liquor licence can be renewed, were still outstanding. He adjourned the application until December 5, to allow the necessary documents to be lodged with the court.

Pat's Bar at The Diamond in Enniskillen was one of several that did get their licences renewed yesterday so at least Prime Minister David Cameron will have somewhere to take German Chancellor Angela Merkell for a quiet pint after a busy day around the conference table.

The photograph of President Obama and his wife Michelle sipping Guinness at a pub in his ancestral home village of Moneygall in County Offaly remains one of the most memorable of his first visit to Ireland.