Diageo has announced plans to open a new brewery for lagers and ales in Co Kildare.
The €200 million facility in Newbridge will create 50 jobs directly, and is set to be operational from 2024.
The global drinks giant said it will be Ireland’s first purpose-built carbon-neutral brewery on a greenfield site. The facility will brew lagers and ales including Rockshore, Harp, Hop House 13, Smithwick’s, Kilkenny and Carlsberg.
The opening of the brewery will mean Diageo’s St James’ Gate site in Dublin will produce more stout for global markets.
Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise Trade & Employment Leo Varadkar TD, said: “This €200m investment by Diageo is really great news for the future development of Ireland’s thriving food and drink industry, and also for the wider national economy. It’s also extremely positive for Newbridge and the local economy in Kildare, with up to 1,000 jobs being created during the construction of the site, and 50 once built. I’m sure there will be many indirect jobs too.
“We must leave the planet in a better way than we found it. Industry has a role to play and I’m really pleased to see Diageo taking the lead and investing in this carbon neutral brewery, which I’m sure will be a leading example for others.”
“We are fully committed to embedding sustainability across our business from grain to glass and this announcement represents the next step in our integrated approach towards achieving one of Diageo’s Society 2030: Spirit of Progress commitments by becoming carbon neutral in our direct operations.”
Leo Clancy, CEO of Enterprise Ireland, added: “Diageo’s decision to invest in a second brewery in Ireland is a fantastic endorsement of the Irish food & drink ecosystem. Diageo is a key client of Enterprise Ireland, and we look forward to continuing to partner with them as they embark on this ambitious project to create Ireland’s first purpose-built carbon neutral brewery. The new facility will make an important contribution to the local economy, supporting value added exports, creating high quality jobs, and doing so in line with the highest sustainably standards.”
Martin Shanahan, CEO of IDA, said: “IDA Ireland welcomes this proposed development in Kildare of Ireland’s first purpose-built carbon neutral brewery by Diageo, a substantial and valued employer in Ireland. This proposed investment demonstrates Diageo’s continued commitment to sustainability, which is also a key pillar of IDA Ireland’s current strategy Driving Recovery and Sustainable Growth 2021 – 2024.”
The new facility will contribute to Ireland’s critical economic and climate policy goals, such as supporting the transition to a low carbon economy while also increasing both food and drink production and associated jobs.
Diageo will submit a planning application to Kildare County Council in September this year and, if successful, plans to commence brewing in 2024 following a construction period of approximately two years.
