Massive worldwide demand for Jameson to create over 300 jobs in Cork and Dublin

The country might be on its knees at the moment, but we should be thankful that the rest of the world loves Irish whiskey so much.

A massive €100 million investment to expand an Irish Distillers Plant in Cork will create over 300 jobs in Cork and Dublin next year.

Irish Distillers, which is owned by major drinks company Pernot-Ricard, announced the investment to cater for the expansion of the plant so it can deal with the massive demand for Jameson whiskey, a whopping 3.4 million cases of which were sold worldwide in the year to the end of June 2011.

60 permanent jobs will be created as a result of the expansion – 30 at the Irish Distillers plant in Midleton in Cork and another 30 at the company’s bottling plant at Fox and Geese in Dublin.

A further 250 people will be employed during the 15-month construction process on the plant, which will begin next year subject to planning permission.

In a further boost for the Irish economy, Irish farmers are also set to reap (pardon the pun) the rewards due to a greater demand for Irish barley.

"We are very pleased to announce the investment in our distillery at Midleton today," said Anna Malmhake, Chairman and CEO, Irish Distillers Pernod Ricard.

"It is a reflection of the international success of Jameson and the great future potential for the brand.

“Jameson is now in its 23rd consecutive year of growth and is experiencing double-digit growth in 40 markets.

“With this investment, we are confirming Midleton, where the tradition of distilling dates back to 1825, as the global centre of Irish whiskey production,” she added.