Abbeyleix business First Ireland Spirits celebrated 30 years in business in June of this year.
First Ireland Spirits, the Abbeyleix-based alcoholic beverage manufacturer celebrated its 30th Anniversary on Friday evening the 21st of June in the Abbeyleix Manor Hotel.
Located on the Mountrath Road in Abbeyleix, First Ireland Spirits commenced its manufacturing and bottling operations in the Summer of 1994 with an initial staff of 20 producing its iconic O’Casey’s Irish Cream Liqueur brand.
Founded by industry veterans Joe Lynch and Owen Brady, Abbeyleix was chosen as the location for its manufacturing operations due to its strategic location, proximity to a number of cream suppliers and the high calibre local workforce.
Over the years the business has grown and expanded and now employs over 60 people on site producing world renowned brands such as Feeney’s and Brogan’s Irish Cream Liqueur, O’Mara’s Country Cream, Dead Rabbit Irish Whiskey and Dubliner Irish Whiskey and it’s variant Whiskey and Honeycomb as well as producing a wide range of own brand products for leading retailers and contract production for some of the worlds largest international spirits companies.
Now part of the UK based Quintessential Brands group, First Ireland Spirits exports worldwide and its products are sold in over 40 countries.
The business attributes its success in no small part to its dedicated, professional and hard working team in Abbeyleix and thanked and celebrated the team for their outstanding contribution over the last 30 years at their anniversary celebrations Friday evening.
There was also a noteworthy congratulations to four members of staff who have been with the company from the very start – Denis Kehoe, Leo Mills, John Fitzpatrick and Paul Lynch.
Photographer Rene Metelicka was there to capture the celebrations:
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