Latest news with #Powerscourt
Irish Times
30-06-2025
- Business
- Irish Times
Glass half empty for whiskey industry
Irish whiskey started the year with more distilleries than anyone could put a number to, but following the impact of tariffs it might be the lost distilleries that are uncountable. The industry collectively raised a glass to two more distilleries which received bad news over the weekend. Powerscourt Distillery announced that it has entered receivership, with Interpath Advisory being appointed at the end of last week – the same firm as was appointed to Waterford Distillery in November 2024. The Wicklow-based company behind the Fercullen whiskey label, is one of many brands whose stills went cold this year, initially with plans to restart production in June. But that was not to be. READ MORE [ Is Irish whiskey on the rocks? Opens in new window ] As of September 2024, the company stood in breach of its agreement with lenders PNC Bank – with which it agreed a €25 million debt deal in June 2023 – and its accounts noted it was dependent on the lender's support and a round of fundraising of €4.6 million by the end of March 2025. Amid turbulent market conditions caused by US import tariffs, the brand was unable to secure the necessary funding. However, the fact that the process has already begun is understood to be positive for the business and the prospect of new investors. The business was struggling with working capital constraints but is thought to be viable long-term. In the Liberties, it emerged that Diageo-owned distillery Roe & Co put an 'extended pause on distillation'. In a statement to The Irish Times, a Diageo spokeswoman said the decision was made 'in order to optimise resources and support the sustainable future growth of our business'. IATA Director General Willie Walsh on airline profits, air fares and why the Dublin Airport passenger cap makes Ireland a laughing stock Listen | 35:56 It is understood that five employees due to be affected by Diageo's decision are in consultation with the company to be redeployed across the company where possible. Where does that leave the Irish whiskey industry? There has been a lot of talk of industry resilience and riding out turbulent market conditions, but fundamentally, it seems that the glass-half-full view around the country is not well received by some of its lenders.
Irish Examiner
24-06-2025
- Politics
- Irish Examiner
EU consider classifying sika deer as an invasive species
Sika deer, which are being blamed for damaging habitats and creating hazards for passing motorists, may be classified as an invasive species by the European Commission. The species was introduced to Ireland by Lord Powerscourt in 1860. The main herds are in Kerry, Wicklow, Tyrone and Fermanagh. But they are also found in parts of Dublin, Kildare, Carlow, Cork and Donegal and more recently in Waterford, Galway, Limerick and Wexford. Sika deer are known to pose a threat to forestry and agriculture and have also been blamed for road traffic collisions by landing on car bonnets and causing drivers to swerve. Kerry Fianna Fáil TD Michael Cahill asked the minister for agriculture Martin Heydon in the Dáil if the Deer Management Strategy Group is considering the total removal of the Japanese Sika species to protect native red deer and native oak forests. The minister said there is ongoing work at EU level on whether Sika deer will be classified as an invasive they are not classed as an invasive species. However, one of the objectives of the deer management programme is to protect native woodlands. A reduction in deer density in specific areas will help to protect native woodlands. If Sika deer are contributing to this issue, they will be part of the cull in the areas covered by the deer management units, he said. Deer management units Tipperary North Fianna Fáil TD Ryan O'Meara also asked the minister last week for an update on the strategy including the establishment of local deer management units. Minister Heydon said the strategy report concluded that a formal structure was required to manage deer in Ireland. It would involve the appointment of a Programme Manager to implement the recommendations and the establishment of local deer management units in known hotspot areas. The locations of the deer management units have been finalised. These aim to give the best geographic coverage to reduce the density of deer in these areas. Tipperary is covered in one of these areas, he said. Heritage minister James Browne, replying to Kerry Sinn Féin TD Pa Daly in the Dáil earlier this year, said the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is acutely aware of the impact that non-native animal species, such as deer and goats, can have on the habitats in Killarney National Park, particularly on native flora. Where appropriate and depending on the annual count and instances of damage caused by deer to habitats, especially woodland, culls are carried out on National Park lands. This is to ensure that deer populations do not reach levels that would have negative ecological consequences. Culling Regarding deer management within the park, culling is a regular and ongoing operation and is undertaken periodically when resources, weather and timing permit. This allows the NPWS to work towards sustainable herd management, and, as such, there is a need to remove a certain percentage of animals from the herd on an ongoing basis. A total 461 sika deer were culled in the park between 2019 and 2024. During the same period, 501 red deer were culled. However, the management of an ecosystem – particularly where it involves a resource and time-intensive intervention such as culling – needs to be targeted and evidence-based to ensure maximum benefit. In 2022, a commissioned report indicated that between 2018 and 2021 there was a 13% decline in sika deer numbers, underlining the effectiveness of carrying out intensive culling in specific areas. Meanwhile, a conservation group, ReWild Wicklow, recently called for a deer management plan after a project it carried out noted that the sika species was dominating local deer populations. The group set up 47 cameras across 220 sq/km of forest land in the county to observe wildlife behaviour over two months. Of the 6,300 wild mammal events captured by the cameras, 72% were of sika deer. Read More Wicklow Mountains Park really could be great again with some careful planning and management
Irish Independent
23-04-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
Powerscourt Estate marks Earth Day with inaugural nature awards
Earth Day, which was first marked in 1970, takes place each year on April 22, and the awards aim to celebrate people all over Ireland who are working to protect and restore nature, in categories that include: pollinators, biodiversity and rewilding, nature media and nature education and wellbeing. The panel of judges for the awards include biologist and environmental consultant Éanna Ní Lamhna, environmentalist Duncan Stewart and Alex Slazenger head gardener at Powerscourt Estate. The awards recognise people, small businesses and community projects across the country who have contributed and are committed in any way to protecting and restoring nature. Commenting on the honours, Sarah Slazenger, managing director at Powerscourt Estate, said: 'Protecting nature and biodiversity has always been central to our operations and our ethos at Powerscourt. We see Powerscourt not only a place of outstanding natural beauty but also a place of learning around biodiversity. We are committed to championing the protection of the natural world and see the 'Working with Nature Awards' as a unique way to recognise all protectors around Ireland who are also committed to this goal.' The nominations for the awards can be made at and the closing date is Tuesday, June 3. The awards ceremony will take place on Thursday, June 26, 2025, at Powerscourt House Winners from each of the four categories will receive a unique award crafted from hand-picked wood from Powerscourt Estate, a hamper from Powerscourt Garden Pavilion and a €500 bursary to be used towards their nature-based project or work. The overall winner and 'outstanding nature protector' will receive the 'ultimate Powerscourt experience', which includes a stay at the Powerscourt Hotel, tour and food pairing at Powerscourt Distillery, annual membership to Powerscourt Estate and four ball at Powerscourt Golf Club.
