‘Pounds, shilling and pence closed Beamish & Crawford’

THE men who worked in Ireland’s oldest brewery discuss the devastating impact its shock closure had on their lives in an award-winning documentary to be screened on Monday night.

In a touching personal portrait of the stories behind the closure of Cork’s Beamish and Crawford plant last year, the men also speak of their love for the brewery, where in some cases, their fathers and grandfathers had worked.

Former worker Jim Cox told filmmaker Mike Hannon that the property boom sealed the plant’s fate.

“The Beamish and Crawford site was worth about €13 million 10 or 15 years ago and it boomed up to about €100 million property wise,” he said.

“The plant wasn’t worth keeping open. If they’d kept it going, it would have tinkered away grand. It wouldn’t have made great money but it wouldn’t be losing money.

“Our own problem with the Celtic Tiger is definitely the thing that crucified us at the end of the day. Pounds, shilling and pence closed Beamish and Crawford.”

The brewery was founded in 1792 on the South Main Street site where brewing is recorded as far back as 1650. The company survived famine, wars and recessions.

But that rich brewing tradition came to an end when in December 2008, it was announced that the plant was to close as a result of Heineken’s multi-billion euro takeover of Scottish & Newcastle.

Following a lengthy wind-down operation, the gates finally closed in May 2009. A total of 120 people lost their jobs.

Mr Hannon said he wanted to mark the passing of the brewery and record the spirit of the place.

His documentary, My Beamish Boy, was shot during the wind-down phase.

Over the course of several weeks, he interviewed 15 workers – including Johnny McCarthy, a fourth generation brewery worker – upstairs in the Spailpín Fánach bar, which overlooks the brewery.

The men reminisce about their time in the plant and talk about how they came to terms with their grief at its closure.

Their touching interviews are suffused with bittersweet memories and wry affection.

The film also captures the unique traditions and character of the brewery itself.

“What struck me about the workers was the shock, resentment and bitterness they felt about the closure,” Mr Hannon said.

“But what also struck me was the love they had for the brewery and the love they had for each other.

“A lot of people said they used to look forward to going to work on a Monday morning.”

Producer Pat Comerford, who worked in the brewery for 10 years, said he is proud of the documentary.

“The speed at which the brewery closed didn’t give the staff time to grieve and this film gives them a voice,” he said.

Mr Hannon describes his documentary as “an affectionate piece of social history”.

The final documentary includes archival photographs dating back to the 19th century, and contemporary photographs from David Creedon, who worked the night shift in the brewery.

It also features an original soundtrack composed by Irene Buckley, and an original song, My Lovely Smiling Beamish Boy, written by John Spillane.

Part-funded by Cork City Council’s Arts Office, My Beamish Boy was awarded the Made in Cork Award for Best Short Film at the Corona Cork Film Festival 2009, and was screened at the Chicago Irish Film Festival and at the Corona Fastnet Short Film Festival 2010.

- My Beamish Boy will be broadcast on RTÉ One on Monday night at 7pm.