Blarney Brewing Co expands in Kerry in wake of Killarney Brewing collapse

The company is already pouring in 60 taps in Cork and is expanding in Dublin

Duncan Blair and Pat Falvey at the Blarney brewery premises on Cork's Commons Road. The start-up beverage firm will continue to extend its footprint as it moves into the Dublin retail space. Picture Chani Anderson

Fledgling beverage firm Blarney Brewing Co will continue to extend its footprint as it moves into the Dublin retail space.

The brewery, which commenced operations in 2025, has seen turnover in the region of €500,000 in the seven months since June.

The product was initially rolled out in eight premises in Cork city and Blarney and co-founder Pat Falvey hailed the response. 

“The support from the Cork publicans community has been phenomenal and we are now pouring in about 60 taps in prominent locations,” said Mr Falvey. “We are very happy with how are products have been received to market and landmark pubs have supported us. People immediately associate the product with local and support us.

“We are also now pouring in hotels and bars in Killarney town. With the closure of Killarney Brewing and Distilling, we moved into some of that space in the sector, and we have further taps in Killarney for next season,” said Mr Falvey.

Blarney Brewing moved into the off-licence trade in mid-August, and it already accounts for 50% of monthly turnover.

The core team with Mr Falvey are co-founders Duncan Blair, who formerly ran the acclaimed Blair’s Inn, in Cloghroe near Blarney, and head brewer Ronan Russell, formerly of Black’s Brewery in Kinsale.

The company’s brewery on Cork's Commons Road has a capacity to produce 2,400 cans per hour, with a tank capacity of 40,000 litres. The brewery’s Muskerry Citra IPA has been the top seller so far.

“We will be streamlining our product range and expect to make small changes to our existing core range,” said Mr Falvey. “We plan more season beers and specials.”

 The plan for 2026 is to develop in the retail multiple and export space. “We are in about 21 retail stores between SuperValu and Centra in Cork and Kerry. We hope to develop that business and other retail multiples. It’s a challenge but that will be the next gear up.” 

Bord Bia's Craft Beer Report 2023 showed 80% of microbreweries were themselves distributing to the on trade. It’s an added cost for independent brewers as they challenge the established brands. It’s a factor Blarney Brewing must consider it moves into new markets like Dublin.

“There’s no question, it’s a tough space and we have challenges around distribution to move to the next phase of our development but we benefit from being a start-up that we are lean in every way,” said Mr Falvey. "We can produce beer cheaper than our competitors because we are so lean and we are not as exposed to cost changes and differentials.” 

 Blarney Brewing is also linking up with newly formed Active Brewing, a collaboration between Mr Falvey and former Munster and Ireland rugby star Peter O’Mahony, which is launching a range of new non-alcohol beers in the on and off-trade.

In the long term, Blarney Brewing plans to move operations from its brewery on Commons Road to a greenfield site which was purchased with access to Inniscarra Lake to develop a larger zero-carbon brewery.

The company received Local Enterprise Office funding towards development of the project, with plan this year for a feasibility study on solar PD and off grid elements of the existing farm site.

Blarney Brewing is currently recruiting a new member to the brewery team.