By Michelle Crean

A Killarney business has put itself on the map by taking part in a new nationwide initiative to promote Irish craft breweries.

Killarney Brewing Company is among four Kerry breweries listed on a new online Irish beer map launched this week, created in conjunction with the Independent Craft Brewers of Ireland (ICBI) and supported by Bord Bia.

Founded in March 2015, Tim O'Donoghue, Paul Sheahan, and their Chicago-based business partner, Liam Healy met in Chicago and shared an appreciation and love of great tasting local beer.

With entrepreneurial backgrounds, the team understood the importance of supporting local independent businesses.

As Tim and Paul were planning to move back to Kerry, they noticed a gap in the Irish market and a growing popularity in handcrafted beers across the country.

The company aims to be a catalyst for growth and innovative thinking in the community. With a €24m investment, the brewery is developing a new state-of-the-art facility which will be 62,000sq ft and overlooking the McGillycuddy Reeks mountain range and Lakes of Killarney.

The local company is among 60 nationally on the map on irishbeer.ie which was created as a source to highlight the abundance of quality, independent craft breweries that are located throughout the country and to generate public interest in beer provenance, by linking craft breweries to specific destinations.

Similar to ‘wine terroirs’ in other countries, the Irish Beer Map has the potential to build provenance of Irish beers and to directly link breweries to distinct regions for residents and holidaymakers. As well as Killarney Brewing Company, Dick Mack’s Brewhouse, Beoir Chorca Dhuibhne and McGill’s Brewery are taking part in the initiative.

Craft breweries who are not yet listed on the map are asked to register interest using the website contact form.