Western Ways George Keegan on happenings along the Western Seaboard in travel , the arts, food and entertainment
New brewer added to Limerick’s attractions
Stephen Cunneen, the owner, inside the ‘pub’ in the brewery . The Treaty Brewery will produce a number of beers, including two IPAs, a pale ale and a red ale. In the brewing process there are no additives or preservatives used and the water comes from the river Shannon
Two new drink production outlets have opened in the past twelve months on the West Coast, one using ancient methods and recipes to produce quality whiskey, the other a microbrewery in the heart of Limerick’s Medieval Quarter. In May 2019 a brand new micro-brewery opened to the public in Limerick. Named the Treaty City Brewery it is located in the city’s Medieval Quarter on Nicholas Street where two derelict buildings with previous links to an 18th century brewing industry lay idle for a number of years. Historical records show that Number 25 was once home of Arthur Roche three times Mayor of the city who had his own brewery situated at the rear. This brewery operated until 1756. There are records the City Brewery ( also known as Newgate Brewery) in Newgate Lane was in fact one of the first breweries in the south of the country proving brewing was once a thriving industry from the 1700’s around this Medieval Quarter. The new brewery was awarded the lease of numbers 24 and 25 as part of Limerick City and County Council’s strategy to revitalise this street. The owner subsequently started to use the micro-brewery as an experimental and innovation hub to develop new beer recipes complimenting its large production facility. In the brewing process there are no additives or preservatives used and the water comes from the river Shannon. Names of the beers include Harris Pale Ale, Thomond Red Ale and Shannon River IPA. 46 Senior Times l August 2020 l www.seniortimes.ie
Stephen Cunneen the owner who has a degree in engineering decided to sympathetically fit out the properties reflecting the period architecture, ‘we tried to be as true to the heritage of the area as possible and let the building speak to us. The original windows and surrounds were kept and all paint colours were mixed on site to match the colours of the plasterwork on the walls’. These were certainly important decisions as the brewery stands a very short distance from St. John’s Castle. Speaking to Senior Times Stephen said ‘since opening in 2019 we developed a number of revenue streams in our new facility and during the summer period offered group tours and tastings which proved very popular with tourists and locals alike. This year we are planning on expanding this offering to coffees, plus adding some music and entertainment which we feel will enhance the already notable offering. Outside seating is being installed to allow summer afternoons enjoying a beer on the newly pedestrianised street’. Last December the brewery hosted its first wedding which Stephen says was a roaring success. The Treaty City Brewery is normally open 6 days a week with tours operating several times a day. They also welcome corporate groups, private beer tastings, food and beer pairings and special events. A new on-line shop has recently been added. ‘Plans are being put in place to re-open when the time is right following the Covid-19 pandemic’, Stephen told me. www.treatycitybrewery.ie .
