Last orders at Beamish
Last orders was called at Ireland’s oldest brewery today as it pulled down the shutters for a final time.
The closure of the Beamish brewery in Cork ends a chapter in the city’s centuries-old brewing heritage.
Beer has been made at the well-loved South Main Street site since 1690 but owners Heineken decided last year to move all operations to its Lady’s Well brewery in the city.
Declan Farmer, the Dutch brewing giant’s corporate affairs manager in Ireland, said the closure was the end of an era, particularly for generations of Cork families who worked there.
“I would like to recognise and compliment the significant part played by each and every employee in the life of Beamish and Crawford down through the years, some of whom have joined Heineken Ireland in recent times as part of the integration process,” he said.
“The legacy of Beamish and Crawford will always be with us underpinned by the very exciting plans for the future of the Beamish brand, together with the listed status of the Counting House building, which will ensure that Beamish and Crawford will always remain part of Cork history as we know it.”
Before turning the key, Heineken presented the remaining Beamish and Crawford archives, dating back to late 1700s, to Brian McGee, Cork City and County archivist.
Mr McGee said the archive is a totally unique record of the day to day running of the brewery and a major resource for historians studying the brewing industry, public houses, and Cork’s rich legacy of trade and commerce.
