Ballykilcavan Farm and Brewery

22/10/2026

In news that will come as a surprise to everyone, Heineken have been ordered to pay €111 million in damages to a Greek brewing company after the Hellenic Competition Commission found that Heineken had "used its dominant position in the Greek b**r market for at least 16 years in order to exclude competitors".

According to The Drinks Business, a spokesperson for Macedonian Thrace Brewery described the way Heineken operated as "a culture founded upon a formula of systemic abuse, denial and disregard for the competition laws of the countries where it conducts its business"

Demetri Chriss, a director of MTB said: “Heineken abused its dominance believing that smaller rivals could never afford to fight back".

At least we can feel comfortable here in Ireland that such a situation could never occur here and that our own CCPC would be straight on the case if there was ever was a case to be answered.

Full story in the comments.

22/10/2026

Tourism season is winding down, so time to start all the other jobs that we've been meaning to do all year.

First one is to put in our biodiversity pond just around the corner from our new pollinator area. The initial plan was a spade and wheelbarrow job, but it's evolved into something a bit more ambitious, so we've called in the big guns.

20/10/2026

07/10/2026

Massive reaction to the event here for the Laois Climate Action Festival. Thanks to everyone who has booked, and tickets are now completely sold out.

06/10/2026

As part of Laois Climate Action Week, we're delighted to be hosting renowned nature expert Éanna Ní Lamhna to Ballykilcavan on Saturday October 17th. Éanna will be leading a two hour nature walk, looking at the trees, wildlife, insects and flora of the farm.

The event starts at 2pm and is free, but tickets are limited, so please book using the link in the comments.

02/10/2026

Delighted to be coming home from Belfast as Highly Commended in both the Tourism and Food Production categories at the All Ireland Sustainability Awards. Well done to all the winners and thanks to the organisers for a great event.

01/10/2026

Belfast looking well on a sunny Thursday. Bit of a walk around the city centre before the All Ireland Sustainability Awards this evening.

Danielle McCormick

01/10/2026

On the way to Belfast for the All Ireland Sustainability Awards this evening, where we're shortlisted in two categories: Tourism + Hospitality and Agriculture + Food Production. Best of luck to everyone involved.

Danielle McCormick

29/09/2026

Lovely International tractor here over the weekend for a private party. Looks very well in the old yard.

24/09/2026

Hop picking day in the Ballykilcavan hop garden today.

It's the tenth, but probably last time we're going to brew our fresh hopped pale ale. It's been a hugely busy year here with tours and events, which is great, but it doesn't leave enough time to look after the hops properly.

Aiming to have this year's vintage out in about six weeks, so keep your eyes open for it.