Dundalk-born entrepreneur Lyons buys Newry-based craft brewery

Dr Pearse Lyons

Dundalk-born entrepreneur Pearse Lyons has bought a Newry-based craft brewery.

Lyons, who used to work in the Harp Lager brewery in Dundalk, is the brains behind US firm Alltech.

While their main business is animal nutrition, it is also developing a brewing and distilling division.

Now though, Lyons has bought the Station Works brewery from the Haughey family, better known as the owners of Norbrook Laboratories. The deal also includes the Cumberland Breweries at Great Corby in the north of England.

Alltech produces craft beers at its US facility in Kentucky and said this deal will give it a platform for expansion in Europe.

He described the purchase as “a kind of homecoming for me, as well as a big moment for the beverage side of the company and for craft brewing in Britain and Ireland”.

The Station Works brewery began operation in 2013 on a site behind Newry train station.

It brews Finn lager and Foxes Rock pale ale. It also houses a bottling and canning facility.

A spokesperson for Norbrook said: “We are delighted that the company will continue as a trading business under its new ownership, as a key player in the craft brewing industry.

“We will be working closely with the new owners and staff to ensure business continuity throughout the transition process.”

Plans for craft brewery in Dundalk move a step closer

Plans for a new craft brewery in Dundalk moved a step closer this week after conditional planning permission was granted for the facility just off the Inner Relief Road.

Last year the Dundalk Bay Brewing Company applied to Louth County Council for planning permission to change part of a building at the Finnabair Business and Technology Park into a brewing facility.

After further information was submitted, the planning office have granted the go ahead for the project subject to eight conditions, none of which should be a major barrier to the project going ahead.

The craft beer market has been a major boom in Ireland in recent years, with sales this year expected to be up five-fold on 2013.

Dundalk, of course, has a wealth of brewing experience having employed hundreds at the Great Northern Brewery on the Carrick Road and MacArdle Moore Brewery on the Ardee Road, both of which have now closed.

Craft brewery being planned for Dundalk

Faye Healy (pictured) and her sister Katie are behind the recently formed Dundalk Bay Brewing Company

A new craft brewery could be on its way to Dundalk.

Last week the Dundalk Bay Brewing Company applied to Louth County Council for planning permission to change part of a building at the Finnabair Business and Technology Park into a brewing facility.

While the application was deemed invalid by the planning office, it is anticipated that the group will return with a completed application shortly.

Dundalk Bay Brewing Company was set up just last month by locally-based sisters Faye and Katie Healy, from Blackrock, who are also listed as directors of Spectac International Limited on the Coes Road.

The craft beer market has been a major boom in Ireland in recent years, with sales this year expected to be up five-fold on 2013.

Dundalk, of course, has a wealth of brewing experience having employed hundreds at the Great Northern Brewery on the Carrick Road and MacArdle Moore Brewery on the Ardee Road, both of which have now closed.