The age-old complaint of Irishmen that they could never get a decent pint of Guinness in Britain may become a thing of the past with the closure of Diageo's London plant and the transfer of UK Guinness production to Dublin.
For older drinkers in the capital, the move will bring back memories of a time when Guinness ships and barges were part of the Dublin landscape.
The development, which will secure the future of the St James's Gate brewery, means output in Dublin will increase by 50 per cent and €14 million will be invested in the Irish economy.
The expanded Dublin brewery will be capable of producing one billion pints a year.
The news will delight Irish grain farmers who are expecting to increase their output of malting barley to meet the increase in stout output.
However, 90 jobs will be lost in west London when the Park Royal brewery closes next summer. No new jobs will be created in Dublin, but the decision is expected to end constant speculation about the brewery's future.
About 1,200 people are employed at the Dublin site, but only 150 are directly involved in brewing.
Mr Gerry O'Hagan, supply director of Diageo's UK and Irish operations, said: "A major review of our brewing business in the UK and Ireland has shown very clearly that our best option for the future would be to consolidate this production into Ireland.
"St James's Gate already produces the equivalent of some eight million kegs of Guinness every year. With some additional investment in technology, St James's Gate could absorb the four million equivalent kegs currently produced at Park Royal."
The company said the decision was purely about the costs of production and not about competitive advantages in Ireland or corporation tax rates.
The company owns 60 acres at St James's Gate and Mr Brian Duffy, managing director of Diageo Ireland, said there was more room for expansion.
Asked about the sales of Guinness in Ireland, Mr Duffy said the brand was performing well in a declining market. He said on-trade volumes had fallen 8 per cent in the second half of 2003 and this was a serious matter.
Despite media comment, alcohol consumption was actually falling in Ireland, he added.