MacArdle Moore Brewery

MacArdle Moore Brewery was a historic brewery based in Dundalk, County Louth, Ireland. It was formed in 1850 through the merger of two earlier local breweries, McAllisters and Wynnes, and became one of the defining brewing institutions of Dundalk. Over the course of its history, the brewery became closely associated with the town's industrial and commercial identity, to the point that its name was widely associated with brewing in Dundalk. The brewery's most enduring consumer legacy is MacArdle's Traditional Ale, an Irish red ale named after the brewery. Although the Dundalk brewery itself ultimately ceased operations, the beer continued as a branded product produced by Diageo at the St. James's Gate facility in Dublin. This means that the brewery and the beer brand have distinct later histories: the original production site is no longer an operating MacArdle Moore brewery, while the associated ale survived under the ownership and production infrastructure of the Guinness and Diageo businesses. MacArdle Moore became part of the Guinness empire in the late 1960s. The acquisition connected the Dundalk operation to one of Ireland's largest brewing groups and placed the brewery within a broader national beer-production network. Its later history was marked by contraction and eventual closure. In 2000, closure was announced for both the brewery and a packing facility located on the site. Brewing activity later returned to the Dundalk site in a different corporate context. In 2018, Alltech's beverages division resumed brewing there after moving its brewing operation from Newry. This revival of brewing on the premises did not restore MacArdle Moore as the original operating brewery, but it underscored the continuing significance of the site to Dundalk's brewing history. The available reference material does not establish a current operating MacArdle Moore brewery, independent corporate ownership, a standalone website, or a complete range of products beyond the associated traditional ale.

MacArdle Moore Brewery was established in Dundalk in 1850 through the merger of two older breweries, McAllisters and Wynnes. Its creation consolidated existing local brewing activity and established a brewery that would remain strongly identified with Dundalk for much of its history. The operation became an important part of the town's industrial profile and was described as becoming almost synonymous with brewing in Dundalk. The brewery's name was later carried by MacArdle's Traditional Ale, an Irish red ale. The product outlasted the original brewery as a distinct consumer brand. In its later form, the ale was produced by Diageo at the St. James's Gate brewery in Dublin, linking the MacArdle name with the wider Guinness and Diageo brewing system rather than with independent production in Dundalk. In the late 1960s, MacArdle Moore joined the Guinness empire. The change placed the brewery within a larger corporate brewing structure and reflected the consolidation of Irish brewing during the period. The available reference material does not identify the precise transaction terms or individual managers associated with the change in ownership. The Dundalk operation eventually entered a period of decline. In 2000, closure was announced for the brewery and for a packing facility on the same site. This marked the end of the original MacArdle Moore brewing operation as described in the reference material. The closure separated the historical brewery from the continuing life of the MacArdle's Traditional Ale brand. Brewing returned to the site in 2018 when Alltech's beverages division resumed production there after relocating its brewing from Newry. This later activity represented a new phase in the site's brewing history rather than evidence that the original MacArdle Moore Brewery had reopened under its former identity. The available sources do not provide further detail on the products brewed by Alltech at the site, the site's present ownership, or the current commercial status of the MacArdle Moore name.

1. 2018Brewing resumes at the site

   Alltech's beverages division resumed brewing at the Dundalk site after moving its brewing operation from Newry.

   Source
2. 2000Closure announced

   Closure was announced for the Dundalk brewery and a packing facility on the site.

   Source
3. 1960Integration into the Guinness empire

   The brewery joined the Guinness empire in the late 1960s.

   Source
4. 1850Formation through merger

   MacArdle Moore Brewery was formed in Dundalk through the merger of the McAllisters and Wynnes breweries.

   Source

A historic Dundalk brewery associated with Irish red ale and local brewing heritage. Its best-known surviving product is MacArdle's Traditional Ale, which is produced by Diageo rather than at the former Dundalk brewery.

• MacArdle's Traditional AleIrish red ale

  MacArdle's Traditional Ale is an Irish red ale named after MacArdle Moore Brewery. It is the brewery's principal surviving consumer legacy. The ale continued to be produced after the Dundalk brewery's closure and is made by Diageo at the St. James's Gate facility in Dublin. The available reference material does not specify its launch date, recipe details, distribution scale, or current retail availability.

• 2018Resumption of brewing at the Dundalk siteOther

  After the former brewery's closure, Alltech's beverages division moved its brewing operation from Newry.

  What changed. Brewing resumed at the former Dundalk site under Alltech's beverages division.

  Aftermath. The site regained a brewing function, although the available source does not indicate that the original MacArdle Moore Brewery was reconstituted.

  Source
• 2000Closure of the brewery and packing facilityStrategy

  The Dundalk brewery had become part of the Guinness corporate system decades earlier, and closure was subsequently announced for the brewery and an associated packing facility.

  What changed. The operating brewery and packing facility on the site were scheduled for closure.

  Aftermath. The original MacArdle Moore brewing operation ended, although the associated MacArdle's Traditional Ale continued to be produced by Diageo in Dublin.

  Source

• 2018Brewing resumes at the former Dundalk site under Alltech's beverages division

  Alltech's beverages division resumed brewing at the Dundalk site after moving its brewing operation from Newry.

  Other
  Source
• 2000MacArdle Moore Brewery and on-site packing facility announced for closure

  Closure was announced for the historic Dundalk brewery and a packing facility located on its site.

  Other
  Source

1. MacArdle Moore Brewery