Dundalk loses 60 jobs as iconic brewery closes – Kirk
Published on: 12 January 2012
Louth TD Seamus Kirk has expressed his shock and disappointment that Diageo is closing the iconic Harp Lager Brewery in Dundalk, with the loss of approximately 60 jobs.
Deputy Kirk said: “Diageo has announced that it is closing its breweries in Dundalk and Kilkenny to facilitate a major expansion of its operation at St James Gate in Dublin. Today’s announcement will result in around 100 job losses, 60 of which are in Dundalk.
“This is a very sad day for Dundalk and in particular for the local staff who have given decades of good service to the brewery. This has been one of the most iconic traditional industries in the town employing generations of families since it first started as the Great Northern Railway Brewery in 1897. Its loss will have a profound effect on our entire community.
“My thoughts are with the Dundalk workers and their families at this extremely difficult time. It is deeply disappointing that Diageo has decided to pull out of Dundalk and I am urging management to do everything they can to provide jobs for the Dundalk workers in the Dublin operation if they wish to move. For those that want to move on, I am appealing to the company to support them in finding alternative employment.
“The previous Government made significant investment in Dundalk in improving infrastructure and attracting jobs. As a result, a number of projects that will result in new jobs for the town were in the pipeline before last year’s General Election. I am calling on this Government to accelerate these projects in light of today’s announcement.”