KILKENNY CLOSURE:THE CLOSURE of the oldest brewery in Ireland at St Francis Abbey in Kilkenny has been described as both a great loss and a "huge opportunity" by local politicians.
While job losses at the site are lamented, the possibilities for the city of redeveloping the 25-acre site are already a hot topic of discussion. Suggestions range from museums to micro-breweries, universities and town-centre business districts.
The closure has come as no surprise to many after voluntary redundancies shrunk the staff by about half to just 93 over the last five years.
The closure will end 300 years of brewing in the city centre. Smithwick's was first brewed by John Smithwick on land owned by the Duke of Ormonde. He set up production on the site of the Franciscan abbey where monks had brewed ale since the 14th century.
Local TD John McGuinness, the Minister of State for Enterprise Trade and Employment, said yesterday that he would lobby Diageo and Kilkenny County Council for the site to become an international centre of study of the Normans and their historical and cultural impact on the city and Europe.
"It's a sad day for Kilkenny that we have lost 93 jobs, but the fact they've been given such a long lead-in time is a comfort."
Other politicians called on Diageo to make a gesture of corporate social responsibility.
Councillor Michael Lanigan (FF) said the company should give the site to the people of Kilkenny.
"Given that the decision was made for strategic economic reasons - and what the value of the site is in comparison with the turnover of Diageo - they have broad shoulders and could take the hit.
"I would be asking them that if they're not prepared to reverse this decision then to do the right thing by Kilkenny, the workers and the community, and come up with an imaginative plan for a community dividend, including considering giving the site to the people of the city."
Marie Fitzpatrick, the Mayor of Kilkenny, also viewed the announcement with mixed feelings. "For Kilkenny itself it's a very, very sad occasion; it's a landmark in the city. The five years will give us time to make a proper plan as to what should go into that area."
Joe Crockett, the county manager, said the loss offered huge scope for transforming the city.
"They have said they will work with us in bringing forward a planning vision for the 27-acre-plus site. It's at the heart of Kilkenny city; it's very valuable. And when you have a site of that size, and as dynamic and interesting and with the enormous possibilities Kilkenny has, it is exciting to look at the possibilities."
Malcolm Noonan, a Green Party councillor, believed the long tradition of brewing at the site should continue for the purposes of heritage and tourism. "I'd very much like to see some continuation of brewing in the site, albeit in a micro capacity, and the creation of a historical tourist centre."
Ian Hamilton, operations manager at St Francis Abbey brewery, refused to speculate on what may end up on the site but said the prospect of brewing continuing was remote. "It's too early to say anything, but when production ceases the whole site will stop producing beer."
Asked if Diageo has resolved to sell the site, estimated to be worth more than €1 million per acre, Mr Hamilton said it was "a fair assumption".