Spanish tourism boost for Laois brewer

Top Spanish tourism representatives got to savour some Stradbally-brewed beer at a recent Fáilte Ireland exhibition to attract more visitors from the Iberian Peninsula to Ireland.

Fáilte Ireland says a delegation of senior representatives from Spain's largest confederation of tour operators, the Confederación Española de Agencias de Viajes (CEAV), met with 12 operators from Ireland's Ancient East in May.

The workshop, hosted by Fáilte Ireland in collaboration with Tourism Ireland, aimed to showcase the region's unique offerings. CEAV, which represents over 5,000 travel agencies across Spain, was in Ireland for their annual conference.

Fáilte Ireland told the Leinster Express / Laois Live that Among the products and brands promoted was Ballykilcavan Farm and Brewery in Stradbally. David Walsh-Kemmis of Ballykilcavan Farm and Brewery was among those invited to display their wares at the event.

The award-winning Laois business brews beer at the farm with barley grown by the Walsh-Kemmis family in  Ballykilcavan on the Athy Road. A visitor centre has also been added to the business.

During their visit, they explored the rich heritage and attractions of Kilkenny, Waterford and Wicklow, gaining firsthand experience of what the Ancient East region, which includes Laois, offers.