Over the past 500 years, Ireland has witnessed the proliferation of small brewers across the country supplying their local communities with beers of preference.

Prior to 1800
The decline of retail brewing on-site at the public house and the founding of larger dedicated commercial breweries during the early nineteenth century is illustrated. Counties Kerry, Clare and Galway saw the opening of their first commercial breweries primarily as a response to financial incentives to produce alternatives to distilled spirits and also to an increase in taste and demand for beer and porter. By the end of this period, the consolidation of breweries in larger settlements was readily apparent, especially in Cork, Kilkenny, Naas and Belfast. Of additional note is the closure of several breweries in Athlone early in this period. By 1850, the number of breweries in Mountmellick had also declined to a single operating commercial brewery.
Navigable rivers and canals are indicated on this map as they often provided a more financially attractive alternative to horse and cart on roads, especially for the inward supply of malt and coal for beer production.
(Sources: Pigot, 1824; BPP, 1832; Lewis, 1837; Slater, 1846; Barnard, 1889; Cullen, 1972; Beoir, 2022)

Between 1850-1900
The latter half of the nineteenth century witnessed an extensive consolidation of commercial breweries. The development of a wide railway network to supplant canals and roads for transportation and the industrialisation of the brewing process led to larger breweries accessing more substantial supplies at central locations. Commercial breweries largely disappear from the midlands as the brewing volume from Dublin and other sources can be distributed more cheaply and effectively over the emerging rail and existing canal and navigable river network.
(Sources: Pigot, 1824; BPP, 1832; Lewis, 1837; Slater, 1846; Barnard, 1889; Lynch & Vaizey, 1960; Cullen, 1972; Beoir, 2022)

Between 1900-1960
During the first half of the twentieth century, the failure or acquisition of commercial breweries by larger brewing concerns meant that by 1960, only three brewing companies remained in business in Ireland. Between them, they operated eight brewery plants (as shown in Figure 4.12). During this period, the mergers and acquisitions shown in Figure 4.11 are clearly visible, and breweries remain where they have access to ready inputs such as malted barley, substantial labour, access to transportation infrastructure and a ready market.
(Sources: Barnard, 1889; Cullen, 1972; Ó Drisceoil & Ó Drisceoil, 1997, 2015; Bielenberg, 1998; Denisson & MacDonagh, 1998; Beoir, 2022)

After 1980
With modern transport infrastructure and reduced brewing volumes, small brewers are located throughout the island of Ireland. Factors other than logistics influence location. These factors can include the operation of combined businesses such as farming and brewing, or simply where a personal lifestyle choice can best be realised.
(Sources: The Revenue Commissioners, 2005-2023, Hennessey & Jensen, 2014; Beoir, 2022; Assorted corporate websites)