Patrick J Rigney of Leitrim’s Drumshanbo Distillery Invests in Changing Times Brewery

Drinks’ industry entrepreneur, innovator and founder of Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin, Patrick J Rigney has invested in Changing Times Brewery, the newly launched brewery in Glasnevin, Dublin backed by the families behind some of Dublin’s best known pubs.

Mr Rigney will join the brewery as Chair, with his involvement bringing its total investment to over €2m.

This is Mr Rigney’s first involvement in a brewery. 

The idea for the brewery came from listening to the feedback from customers over the years, which led to conversations between the publican families and then detailed discussions on creating their own brewery. 

As well as Mr Rigney, it is backed by brewer Shane Long, publican Benny McCabe and the publican families behind The Ferryman, The Palace, The Long Hall, The Swan, Darkey Kellys, The Bankers, Arthur Maynes in Donnybrook, Devitts, Doheny & Nesbitts, Sheehans, Lemon & Duke, The Bridge 1859, The Blackrock, The Bank and McSorleys. 

Initially the new beers are being stocked in the pubs of the founding members, with further pubs expected to be announced soon.

“I was greatly flattered when I was asked to get involved in Changing Times Brewery, which I think represents a real innovation in the Irish beer market,” Mr Rigney said.

“What attracted me was the family dimension of this business, which very much aligns with our values in The Shed Distillery. The families behind this brewery are steeped in the pub heritage of Dublin and Ireland with years and years’ of experience in catering to their customer’s tastes. 

“They are a part of the fabric of Dublin's social culture. Who could be better placed to deliver authentic, refreshingly Irish, locally brewed beers. I’m excited to come on board and to help them deliver a timely change for customers at the pub counter,” he concluded. 

Patrick J Rigney is the Founder and Owner of The Shed Distillery of PJ Rigney, behind renowned brands such as Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin, Drumshanbo Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey, Sausage Tree Pure Irish Vodka and other globally recognised brands. 

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The popular Shed distillery submitted a planning application to Leitrim county council in July outlining their proposed changes.

Prior to founding The Shed Distillery with his wife Denise, the drinks industry pioneer was instrumental in establishing Irish drinks brands as global leaders, including the world’s number one selling liqueur brand Baileys during its formative years, and Sheridan’s Irish Cream Liqueur.

He has since gone on to invent over 20 other international drinks brands including the famous Boru Vodka/Castle Brands, which developed a range of successful spirits brands before successfully exiting in 2005 through an IPO on the AMEX (New York, USA) with a valuation of over $100m. 

Mr Rigney’s involvement in Changing Times was also hailed by Marcus Houlihan of The Long Hall. “It is absolutely fantastic to have a man of Patrick’s experience, creativity, innovation, connections and more join Changing Times,” Mr Houlihan commented.”

“Everyone involved in the drinks’ industry recognises what a titan he is and his history of achievement. He has such a proven track record in launching brands, building up their customer base and expanding their markets. 

“Having him involved with Changing Times adds a whole other dimension to our new brewery and we are all really looking forward to working with him to bring ‘change’ to pub customers across Dublin and beyond,” he added.

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