Drinks giant Diageo is preparing to lodge fresh plans with Kildare County Council to more than double the capacity of its €200 million carbon-neutral brewery at Littleconnell, Co Kildare. The company confirmed that the proposed expansion will increase production to 4.5 million hectolitres, positioning the site as a key hub for Guinness and Guinness 0.0 in emerging markets.
Construction at the state-of-the-art facility has been underway since June 2023, with Diageo originally designating the brewery as a centre for its lagers and ales, including Rockshore, Harp, Hop House 13, Smithwick’s, Kilkenny and Carlsberg. However, the expansion would see Guinness production added to its remit for the first time outside Dublin’s St James’s Gate for export markets, while the flagship brewery in the capital continues to serve established markets such as Ireland, the UK, and the US.
The move reflects surging global demand for Guinness 0.0. Diageo reported in June that sales of its alcohol-free draught surged by 161% between mid-2022 and March 2025, fuelling expectations of further international growth. “This planned expansion at Littleconnell is designed to position us for future global growth opportunities for Guinness and Guinness 0.0,” said Colin O’Brien, Diageo’s Global Head of Beer Supply. “By increasing our capacity, we can better serve emerging markets while strengthening Ireland’s position as a leading market for beer exports.”
Diageo’s plans also underscore its focus on sustainability. The brewery has been described by the company as a gold standard in energy and water efficiency, and the proposed expansion is expected to reinforce that reputation. “It is a significant step forward in our commitment to sustainable brewing,” O’Brien added.
A Diageo spokeswoman emphasised that Dublin’s St James’s Gate will continue to be the “heart and soul of Guinness,” maintaining its role in serving the brand’s largest and most established markets. “Diageo’s commitment to this iconic site—its heritage, its legacy, and its future—remains stronger than ever,” she said.
The planning application is expected to be lodged in early November as part of Diageo’s long-term strategy to increase capacity and flexibility for growth. The company acknowledged that the timing of the expansion would depend on external factors but stressed it reflected a continued commitment to Ireland as a strategic base for export-led growth.
First brews at the Kildare site are expected in early 2026. Diageo will be hoping for a smoother process than its initial application in 2022, which was delayed after a legal challenge brought by a local farmer and undertaker. That case was withdrawn in 2023 following mediation, clearing the way for construction to begin.
If approved, the expansion will mark another milestone for Diageo, bolstering both its Irish brewing footprint and its global ambitions.
