Diageo Invests €257.5 Million to Expand Kildare Brewery Capacity

Diageo, the renowned producer of Guinness, has announced plans to invest an additional €257.5 million to double the capacity of its state-of-the-art carbon-neutral brewery at Littleconnell, County Kildare. This substantial investment builds on the existing €200 million facility, bringing the total investment in the area to an estimated €457.5 million. The company intends to lodge a statutory planning application in the coming days, seeking a 10-year planning permission for the ambitious expansion.

The proposed project is expected to generate between 800 and 1,000 construction jobs during its development phase. Plans include the construction of a new 9,333 square meter building designated as “Brewery 2” and an overall gross internal floor area across all new buildings of 14,976 square meters. In addition, the expansion will feature ground-mounted solar panels covering approximately 15,000 square meters and provide parking space for 38 heavy goods vehicles.

Expansion to Enhance Production Capabilities

The ongoing construction at the Littleconnell site began in June 2022. Once completed, the expanded brewery will more than double its production capacity to 4.5 million hectolitres. Diageo has strategically positioned the Kildare brewery as a hub for lager and ale production, including popular brands such as Rockshore, Harp, Hop House 13, Smithwick’s, Kilkenny, and Carlsberg. The planned capacity increase will also enable the brewery to produce Guinness, including the non-alcoholic variant, Guinness 0.0, which is currently brewed exclusively at Diageo’s St. James’s Gate facility in Dublin.

A spokesperson for Diageo commented on the expansion plans, stating, “While the realization and timings of this expansion will depend on a number of external factors, it reflects Diageo’s long-standing commitment to Ireland and reinforces the country’s position as a strategic base for sustainable export-led growth.”

Hurdles Overcome in Planning Process

Diageo anticipates a smoother planning process this time around. The initial plans for the €200 million brewery faced challenges after a local farmer, John Lynch, launched a High Court challenge against An Bord Pleanala’s approval in December 2023. However, Lynch withdrew his legal proceedings after successful mediation talks with Diageo.

The first production of lagers and ales at the Littleconnell site is projected to commence in 2026. As Diageo moves forward with its expansion plans, the company aims to enhance its production capabilities while fostering job creation and contributing to local economic growth.