Diageo Opens Littleconnell Brewery, Reinforcing near €1 Billion Commitment to Ireland

• Taoiseach Micheál Martin TD and Diageo CEO, Sir Dave Lewis officially open Littleconnell Brewery in Co. Kildare
• Further estimated €400m investment planned at Littleconnell over the next three years, including Brewery 2 to expand Guinness and Guinness 0.0 production
• Developments form part of Diageo’s almost €1bn capital investment in Ireland (2020–2029), strengthening capacity and sustainability

Diageo today officially opened its new Littleconnell Brewery in Newbridge, Co. Kildare, marking a significant milestone in the company’s long‑term commitment to brewing in Ireland. Representing an investment of almost €300 million, the state‑of‑the‑art brewery forms part of Diageo’s near €1 billion capital investment programme across the island of Ireland between 2020 and 2029.

Officially opened by Taoiseach Micheál Martin TD, the landmark brewery was constructed in under 18 months on a 40‑acre site and is powered by 100% renewable electricity. The project, supported by Enterprise Ireland, accommodated approximately 650 jobs during construction and has created more than 50 highly skilled permanent roles, underlining Diageo’s contribution to regional development and skilled employment.

The Littleconnell Brewery will produce a range of ales and lagers, including Rockshore, Harp, Smithwick’s and Kilkenny, alongside well-known licensed beers such as Carlsberg, supplying both Irish and international markets and strengthening Ireland’s role within Diageo’s global brewing network.

With planning permission secured, Diageo has also confirmed plans for an approximate €400 million investment for the development of a second brewery at Littleconnell over the next three years, with work due to begin in 2026. The new facility, known as Brewery 2, will be dedicated to the production of Guinness and Guinness 0.0 and will more than double total site capacity, supporting the global growth of Guinness. 

As part of the near €1 billion investment between 2020 and 2029, Diageo has already completed work at St James’s Gate and its Belfast packaging site to increase capacity and support Guinness 0.0, and further work is planned to support the decarbonisation of St James’s Gate.

Littleconnell incorporates advanced brewing and process technologies to reduce energy and water use. Its design is expected to avoid up to 15,000 tonnes of carbon emissions annually compared with a similar‑scale facility, supporting Diageo’s Spirit of Progress sustainability commitments.

Today’s announcement reinforces Diageo’s confidence in Ireland as a strategic hub for brewing excellence, supporting exports, innovation, sustainability and long‑term economic growth.

Taoiseach, Micheál Martin TD, officially opened the Littleconnell brewery: “Today’s opening of Diageo’s new Littleconnell Brewery in Co. Kildare is a powerful vote of confidence in Ireland and in our future as a world‑leading, sustainable food and drink exporter. This landmark facility forms part of Diageo’s near €1 billion investment in Ireland between 2020 and 2029, underlining the central role Ireland plays within the company’s global brewing network and highlighting the strength of our agri‑food and drinks sector on the international stage.

“By choosing to invest at this scale in Ireland and to lead the way in next‑generation, low‑carbon brewing, Diageo is supporting skilled jobs, regional development and export growth, while helping Ireland advance its climate ambitions through innovation.”

Sir Dave Lewis, Chief Executive, Diageo, “The demand for Guinness and Guinness 0.0. is surging. Today Diageo is proud to unveil our new state of the art brewery at Littleconnell, part of our €1 billion investment in Ireland. How fitting that it’s in County Kildare, the birthplace of Arthur Guinness.”

Colin O’Brien, Category Head – Global Beer Supply, Diageo said “Ireland plays a key role in Diageo’s global beer supply, and Littleconnell is central to enabling future growth in Guinness exports. This site is part of Diageo's near €1 billion investment programme that strengthens capacity, builds resilience across our brewing network and supports the global growth of Guinness and Guinness 0.0 from Ireland. Littleconnell, together with the developments at St James’s Gate, will enable growth in overall beer exports from Ireland and help us deliver on Diageo’s Spirit of Progress sustainability commitments.”

Jenny Melia, CEO, Enterprise Ireland, added: “The opening of Littleconnell Brewery is a significant milestone for Ireland’s food and drink industry, as it is a fantastic endorsement of our skills and capabilities in this sector, and will drive export growth. Enterprise Ireland is proud to support Diageo’s investment in this lighthouse project as this innovative brewery sets a new standard for industry globally, in the use of new technologies which will reduce energy and water use.”

ENDS

About Diageo:   Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands across spirits and beer categories. These brands include Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, JεB and Buchanan's whiskies, Smirnoff and Ketel One vodkas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Don Julio, Tanqueray and Guinness.

Diageo is a global company, and our products are sold in nearly 180 countries around the world. The company is listed on both the London Stock Exchange (DGE) and the New York Stock Exchange (DEO).

For more information about Diageo, our people, our brands, and performance, visit us at www.diageo.com. Visit Diageo's global responsible drinking resource, www.DRINKiQ.com for information, initiatives, and ways to share best practice.

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