Spirit Capital project manager Mark Gorman stepped into the Killarney Brewing and Distilling Company facility at Fossa and felt like he was walking into a ghost town. The 5,760-square-meter facility, which went into examinership in April 2025 before a liquidator was appointed three months later with reported debts of €8m, is now preparing for a reopening under Swiss ownership. Spirit Capital purchased the site in July for a deal worth over €5.5m, with plans to revive beer and gin production by late 2026 before launching a visitor centre and restaurant in early 2027.
Swiss Ownership Revives Fossa Distillery After examinership Collapse
The Killarney Brewing and Distilling Company was originally established in 2015 by Paul Sheehan, Tim O’Donoghue, and Liam Healy. The founders opened a bar and restaurant in Killarney before developing plans for a larger brewery, distillery, and visitor experience, which opened in 2022. However, post-pandemic construction costs and soaring losses led to financial distress. Following the subsequent liquidation that left more than 50 people out of work and creditors including Kerry County Council and the Revenue Commissioners unpaid, the facility sat vacant.
When Mark Gorman arrived from Switzerland to inspect the property, he found the brewing and distilling equipment preserved in surprisingly good condition. According to Gorman, the previous brewers and distillers took care of the kit, leaving everything clean and hygienic. Spirit Capital is currently recruiting a head of production, a distiller, and a brewer. The company is seeking Revenue clearance to brew and distill, with initial beer production targeted for November or December 2026, followed by the full reopening of the visitor centre, restaurant, and a 250-capacity function room in early 2027.
Production Timeline and Global Expansion Plans
Spirit Capital is approaching the Killarney investment with a long-term horizon, focusing on premium spirits rather than rapid scaling. According to Mark Gorman, the firm is not looking to flip a distressed asset, noting that the facility will outlive him and marking the group’s first international production expansion outside France. The Swiss group’s portfolio primarily targets the premium brand sector in France, featuring Calvados brands such as Boulard, Pays D’Auge, and Père Magloire, alongside Armagnac Le Marque and Grand Armagnacs Janneau. While the group produces Calvados and Armagnac, the Killarney acquisition represents its first venture into beer production and its entry into whiskey distilling.
The Fossa plant possesses the capacity to produce close to five million bottles of whiskey annually. Gorman stated that initial whiskey production will target the local Irish market before expanding to established international channels, utilizing the group’s French distribution network that currently reaches 97 countries. This transatlantic reach could position the brand to tap into the United States market—which accounts for 38% of Ireland’s €930m whiskey export market—despite ongoing tariff discussions under US President Donald Trump.
Navigating Wider Alcohol Market Pressures
The acquisition comes during a broader downturn in the global alcohol sector. According to recent corporate disclosures, Pernod Ricard reported a 3.9% organic sales decline in the first half of 2026 following soft demand in the US and China, while Brown-Forman indicated that developed market demand will remain under pressure through 2027. Diageo has similarly instituted global cost-cutting measures. Mark Gorman acknowledged the slower market conditions but described the industry as cyclical, asserting that facilities must be prepared for when demand recovers.
Did you know? Spirit Capital operates similar visitor attraction crossovers in the UK, including a Cornish whiskey project at Bodmin Jail developed in partnership with the Tudor Hotels Collection, drawing approximately 120,000 visitors annually.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will the Killarney Brewing and Distilling Company reopen?
New owners Spirit Capital plan to reopen the visitor centre, bar, and restaurant in early 2027, with the first batches of beer anticipated by November or December 2026.
Who are the new owners of the Fossa facility?
The property was acquired in July by Spirit Capital, a Swiss-headquartered group known for producing French spirits including Calvados Boulard and Père Magloire.
What happened to the original company?
Co-founded by Paul Sheehan, Tim O’Donoghue, and Liam Healy, the original Killarney Brewing and Distilling Co entered examinership in April 2025 due to soaring post-pandemic construction costs and failed US partnerships, leading to the appointment of a liquidator three months later.
What are the long-term production goals for the site?
Aside from reviving beer and gin production, Spirit Capital aims to produce a world-class Killarney Whiskey for international markets, utilizing the Fossa plant’s capacity to produce up to five million bottles annually.
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