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Irish Examiner
5 days ago
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Killarney brewing company collapse: covid cost overruns and whiskey tariffs blamed
The Killarney Brewing and Distilling Company which went into liquidation this week had dozens of creditors when it entered the examinership process in April, with more than €8m owed. The company confirmed the unsuccessful conclusion of its examinership process on Tuesday, with more than 50 jobs impacted by the brewery ceasing operations. The company premises included the plush multi-million euro brewery, whiskey distillery, and visitor centre overlooking the lakes of Killarney in Fossa. The independent expert's report filed as part of a petition to the High Court in April showed Killarney Brewing Company had a creditors' listing topping €8m. Included in the list of creditors of the brewing company were Kerry County Council, which was owed an outstanding amount of just over €108,000, and the Revenue Commissioners, who were owed €143,400. The report said the financial difficulties of the company predominantly arose from delays and the significant overspend on the construction of the company's Fossa facility, which went through an extensive renovation in 2021 and 2024, which it said impacted the company's profitability and cash flow. The estimated cost overrun caused by pandemic-related issues was around €8m, the report said The Killarney Brewing and Distilling company in Fossa, Killarney County Kerry where a liquidator was appointed on Monday. Picture: Don MacMonagle 'As all the hospitality businesses were predominantly closed during the peak pandemic years and completion of the Fossa unit was delayed, significant trading losses were incurred as investment monies raised, which were forecasted to assist with early years working capital, were utilised on the construction-related overspend,' the report said. To address the significant construction overrun costs and aid working capital, the group borrowed around €4.4m from a number of sources in December 2022, the report also noted. Speaking this week, the company said high tariffs on Irish whiskey exports to the US and wider economic uncertainty further hurt the business and had compounded previous challenges arising from the pandemic and ongoing global tensions. The Killarney Brewing and Distilling company in Fossa, Killarney County Kerry where a liquidator was appointed on Monday. "Like many in the drinks manufacturing industry, KBD has faced significant and sustained challenges in recent years, stemming from the lasting effects of the pandemic, delays in opening our state-of-the-art distillery in Fossa, global supply chain disruptions, rising input costs, and ongoing geopolitical and trading pressures," the brewery said. "More recently, high tariffs on Irish whiskey exports to the US and wider economic uncertainty have further impacted the business." Earlier this year, the company had reached a preliminary agreement to merge with a US-based strategic partner, but the partner ultimately chose not to proceed. In response, KBD entered the examinership process in the hope of securing new investment to protect jobs and stabilise operations for the long term. A spokesperson for the liquidator declined to comment. Read More Killarney Brewing & Distilling confirms unsuccessful end of examinership process
Irish Examiner
23-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Examiner
Beautiful day as U2's The Edge becomes an Irish citizen
It was a beautiful day for U2 guitarist The Edge, who finally became an Irish citizen after a lifetime representing the country on the global stage. David Howell Evans, 63, famously known as The Edge, was born in Essex and is the child of Welsh parents, but has lived in Ireland since he was a one-year-old. The Edge shakes hands with a fellow new citizen after the ceremony at Gleneagle Killarney. He said: 'Today's ceremony was very moving, the room was full of so many people, everyone from different backgrounds, with different stories. It was a privilege to be a part of it and to experience the collective joy as we all became citizens together.' Picture: Don MacMonagle He was among thousands of people receiving Irish citizenship at a special event in Killarney on Monday. Sporting a tricolour clip on his lapel, and wearing his distinctive cap, the guitarist enjoyed every moment of the ceremony, describing it as a "monumental day'. Thousands of new Irish citizens at the citizenship ceremony at Gleneagle Killarney on Monday. Photo: Don MacMonagle "I guess, you know, I'm a little tardy with the paper work. I've been living in Ireland now since I was one year old. But the time is right. And I couldn't be more proud of my country for all that it represents and all that it is doing. "It's showing real leadership right now in the world and it couldn't come at a better moment for me so I am just so happy to be at this point to be in even deeper connection with my homeland." Former CNN News TV anchor Gina London from Indiana in the US celebrates after receiving her Irish citizenship in Killarney on Monday. Photo: Don MacMonagle On Ireland's role in international relations amid devastating conflicts in the Middle East, he added: "We are talking really about showing leadership in the world, supporting our international bodies, the ICC [the International Criminal Court], the UN, speaking truth to power." Applicants from 143 countries, numbering 7,500 people, are making the declaration of fidelity and loyalty to the State to become Irish citizens in ceremonies taking place over two days. Gina London, a CNN White House correspondent during the Clinton presidency, was among 224 citizens from the USA receiving citizenship. Gina, originally from Indiana, has been living in Ireland for 10 years and became emotional during the ceremony. 'I am thrilled. This is for me," she said. Some of the new citizens taking part in the ceremony at Gleneagle Killarney on Monday. Photo: Don MacMonagle Claudia Dolan from Maynooth, Kildare, originally from Mozambique cdelebrates after receiving Irish citizenship in Killarney on Monday. Photo: Don MacMonagle
Irish Examiner
02-06-2025
- General
- Irish Examiner
Imasha Costa: As a migrant, learning Irish is my favourite way to integrate
One of the first things they teach you in Irish class is 'How are you?' and 'Where do you come from?'; sentences which help you illustrate your identity as you communicate in a new language. Last autumn, after celebrating five years of leaving everything behind and moving to Ireland, I decided it was time that I would learn Irish. This would have been my fifth language, and I knew it would help me integrate into Irish society further. If having a thick Cork accent was not enough, I now wanted to learn Irish, be able to order a pint of Guinness or Beamish at the bar as gaeilge, and finally try to understand a conversation that is being shared in Irish. My alma mater was offering Irish classes for adults at different levels, from beginners to intermediate, and I felt this was the perfect place to dip my toes in and learn. Learning a new language can be daunting at times; there are moments when you may feel lost and confused, but I knew I was enjoying every second of my two-hour-long evening classes, including the scheduled tea break. But I did not expect that these classes would end up with a trip to a Gaeltacht in West Kerry. It was there that I fell deeply in love with the Irish language, and the culture. It was a bleak May weekend, the rolling hills of the Kingdom covered with thick fog as we made our way West, entering the Gaeltacht. Dingle Bay was hidden away under the dense cloud as we drove along winding roads, salty air kissing our cheeks as we drove with the car windows down. We were 13 people from the adult course, staying in the village of Ballyferriter, a single street of four pubs, no shop and battering winds that push you back as you walk against them. During the weekend, a seanchaí told his family story. He told us about the history of West Kerry, how he only knew how to make the sign of the cross in Irish, and called the former minister of education Donogh O'Malley, who made secondary education free, his hero. At the pubs in the village, I ordered rounds of pints, asked how much a Guinness cost (€5.50), in Irish. I also met some of the Irish Rugby sevens team who were travelling around West Kerry. I love Ireland with my whole heart. But, Ballyferriter made me fall deeply in love with the Irish language and the people. File picture: Don MacMonagle I met a man from Cork City who now lives in Ballyferriter, locals who said I had the blas in English and in my beginner's level Irish. I sang Siúil a Rúin to a crowd in pub number two before being asked to give another tune. We sat drinking pints, chatting away and listening to stories before we were told to leave the pub well after closing time. We sheltered under the rain in Tigh Áine, near Dun Chaoin, eating our lunch as we stared out at the Atlantic Ocean. We spent time in the Blasket Island centre – reading and listening in Irish. The words of Muiris Ó Súilleabháin were etched into the wall at the centre. They will forever sit with me: '… 'But if you are not an Irishman', said he again, 'what are you?' 'A Blasket man, my boy, ' says I.' My heart was full of grá as I left West Kerry, knowing fully well that I would come back to see warm hearts and newfound friends who offered me the opportunity to milk their cows. Migrants like me have been taking it upon themselves to learn the Irish language, and according to a recent study from the University of Galway, offering migrants the opportunity to learn the Irish language could help with integration in some rural communities across the country. Imasha Costa: 'I am proud to be one of these migrants learning the language and supporting the current generation and the resurgence of the Gaelic culture.' File picture: Larry Cummins Ireland has been seeing an increasing migrant population, which has led to larger communities and the need for more support to help with integration. I am proud to be one of these migrants learning the language and supporting the current generation and the resurgence of the Gaelic culture. Almost every second person I know is a Gaelgeoir, and they have been so welcoming to a migrant like myself who has just a few phrases or sentences to carry some conversation. We are welcomed with open arms, and there is no problem with correcting our pronunciation. This August, I will be celebrating six years living in this beautiful country, which has welcomed me and made me feel like I am home. I love Ireland with my whole heart. But, Ballyferriter made me fall deeply in love with the Irish language and the people. Read More What Street Feast reveals about our hunger for community
