New Chairman at Irish Brewers Association
Seamus O’Hara, managing director of the Carlow Brewing Company, has been appointed as the new chairperson of the Irish Brewers Association (IBA), the representative group for brewers and distributers of beer in Ireland. O’Hara set up the Carlow Brewing Company in 1996 and is one of the craft brewing industry’s most recognisable pioneers.
The beer sector in Ireland is burgeoning with exports worth over €265 million; 63 production microbreweries in operation; and established players expanding and investing; ensuring that there has never been more choice for consumers in Ireland and export markets when choosing high quality Irish beer. According to the IBA, beer production remains the most important sector within the drinks industry in terms of indigenous manufacturing and providing jobs. Direct employment by the commercial beer industry was up 8% between 2013 and 2014, with 2,100 people employed. The Irish brewing sector produces 728 million litres of beer in 2014. 43% of all beer produced in 2014 was exported and in 2015 beer accounted for 21% of all beverage exports, worth €265 million.
Seamus O’Hara, managing director of the Carlow Brewing Company.
O’Hara who developed the widely popular O’Hara’s beer range which is available in bars, restaurants and retail outlets throughout the world says of his appointment: “It is a great honour to be entrusted with the role of chairperson of the Irish Brewers Association, particularly as the Carlow Brewing Company celebrates its 20 year anniversary this year. The IBA has represented the interest of brewers across Ireland since 1908. Since then the industry has changed drastically and in 2016 we continue to experience exciting developments, with new breweries opening across the country and established players expanding and investing.
“The number of microbreweries operating in Ireland has more than trebled since 2012 to 63 and consumers have never had more choice. This appointment is another acknowledgement of the importance of the craft sector to the wider brewing industry. I hope that I can use my experience in developing a small but successful brewery within a fledgling industry to guide the Irish Brewers Association over the next two years.”
Half of everything the brewery produces is exported to more than 25 countries, including the US, France, Italy, Russia, Norway and Croatia.
The IBA represents Ireland’s major brewers and distributers of beer. The membership includes; Diageo Ireland, Heineken Ireland, Molson Coors, Richmond Marketing, Barry & Fitzwilliam and the Carlow Brewing Company.
