Diageo will today (Monday, May 11) officially open its new €300 million Littleconnell Brewery in Newbridge, Co. Kildare.

The state-of-the-art brewery will produce Diageo's range of beer, ales and lagers, including Carlsberg, Rockshore, Harp, Smithwick’s and Kilkenny.

The site, which will be officially opened by Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Diageo chief executive Sir Dave Lewis, will supply both the Irish and international markets.

The brewery on a 40ac site was constructed in under 18 months and is powered by 100% renewable electricity.

The project, supported by Enterprise Ireland, accommodated around 650 jobs during construction and has created more than 50 permanent roles.

Diageo

The brewery is part of Diageo’s €1 billion capital investment programme across the island of Ireland between 2020 and 2029.

Diageo has also confirmed plans for a €400 million investment for the development of a second brewery at Littleconnell over the next three years, with work due to begin this year.

The new facility, known as Brewery 2, will be dedicated to the production of Guinness and Guinness 0.0.

The investment will more than double total site capacity, supporting the global growth of Guinness.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin said the opening of Diageo’s new Littleconnell Brewery is "a powerful vote of confidence in Ireland and in our future as a world leading, sustainable food and drink exporter".

Sir Dave Lewis, Diageo chief executive, said that "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," he said.