wiki has this to say "Irish craft beer and real ale[edit] Beginning in the 1990s brewpubs and microbreweries began to emerge. While some, such as the Biddy Early Brewery, Dublin Brewing Company and Dwan's, have since ceased production, the Franciscan Well Brewpub in Cork and Dublin's Porterhouse have both celebrated 10 years in business, while the Hilden Brewery in Lisburn is Ireland's oldest independent brewer, having been established in 1981.[10] Carlow Brewing Company, makers of the O'Hara's range, is another survivor of the first wave of Irish craft brewing. The second wave began in the mid-2000s and has included the Beoir Chorca Dhuibhne brewery in County Kerry, Hooker brewery, based in Roscommon, Dungarvan Brewing Company, Clanconnel Brewery, Trouble Brewing, Metalman Brewing,[11] The Dingle Brewing Company in County Kerry, Bo Bristle (formerly Breweyed) and Eight Degrees Brewing. The third wave of Irish craft brewing began in 2013.[12] The surge of new breweries is largely a result of changes in excise requirements, access to LEADER funding,[13] and an increase in brewing education courses run by the government-funded Taste4Success Skillnet.[14] Many third wave brewers are also involved in a professional brewers' association called Beer Ireland which has provided members with networking opportunities and provided information on setting up a brewery. Going into 2014 there are approximately 50 Irish craft brewing businesses which are either in production or in planning. The British-based pub chain "J D Wetherspoon" has about 9 outlets in Northern Ireland selling real ale. They plan to open pubs in Cork and Dublin in early 2014"