Major row brewing in East Cork over grain warehouse plans

Residents of Barryscourt near Carrigtwohill object to plans for Owenacurra Agri's barley storage and drying plant

Residents from Barryscourt, Ballintubber, and surrounding areas in East Cork at the entrance to the greenfield site where the barley drying facility may be built. Picture: Jim Coughlan

In a rural community steeped in the tradition of growing malting barley, a row has erupted over a grant of planning for a large grain storage and drying warehouse to help fuel Ireland’s burgeoning brewing and distilling industry.

Residents living near Carrigtwohill in east Cork have strongly criticised An Bord Pleanála’s decision to uphold Cork County Council’s grant of planning to Owenacurra Agri for a large four-storey 30,000-tonne-a-year warehouse on a greenfield site in the area, insisting it is not the right location for such a large operation.