Smithwick’s retirees’ nostalgic tour of Kilkenny's Abbey Quarter Brewhouse

Several of the visiting group were involved in the design and construction of the old Brewhouse, Karen O’Brien explained. “Smithwick’s was part of all of our lives. My father’s father, James Fennelly, also was an engineer here. Both Jim O’Neill and myself did work experiences here and worked summers here.

“Dad and his former colleagues were so happy with the layout, the design and the solution the Brewhouse provides for the next generation of workers. They were amazed by the acoustics and the beauty of the site and surprised by the comfort of our building, the focus on collaboration, that people now hot desked.

“I feel they were particularly impressed by our people focus, how we invest in the development and growth of all our people and how we have a community of colleagues who very much so work in partnership towards our mutual ambitions.”

Tirlán, formerly known as Glanbia Ireland, is a food and nutrition business with a number of production facilities across the county of Kilkenny.