A WELSH PUB has apologised for turning away a group of trainee priests after mistaking them for a rowdy stag party in costume.

The Archdiocese of Cardiff said that seven Roman Catholic seminarians went to the City Arms in Cardiff last week to celebrate the ordination of one of the group.

Father Michael Doyle said the clerics were turned away by a doorman, who told them “sorry gents, we have a policy of no fancy dress and no stag dos.”

The students insisted their clothes were not fancy dress but had started to leave when they were approached by the bar manager who realised the clergyman were real.

Assistant manager Matt Morgan said “thankfully they were all great sports and saw the funny side of the situation.”

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Morgan said, “It’s not every day you have a group of priests drinking in the pub and they would be welcome back any time.”

Father Michael Doyle, who knows the group, told BBC Wales that the seven men stayed at the pub most of the afternoon chatting to customers after they were invited back in.

When they walked back in the entire pub burst into a round of applause, and they had a free round of The City Arms.

Additional reporting by Associated Press