A history of Macardle Moore & Co Brewery, Dundalk, Co. Louth, Ireland by Frank OCallaghan on behalf of The Old Dundalk Society.

1. Macardle Moore & Co. Ltd.
The History of a Great
Dundalk Brewing Institution.
The Old Dundalk Society.
Spring Lecture
11th April 2019.

2. Acknowledgements.
Old Dundalk Society.
Jason McGee.
Gerry McComish
Royal Ulster Rifles Museum, Belfast.
Isabelle Murphy, Dundalk Reference Library.
Jim (Son of Brewer, Jim Johnston) and Anne Johnston.
Gerry Rogers, son of former Brewer, Brendan Rogers.
Lorraine McCann, County Archivist, Louth County Archives Service.
Brian Walsh, Louth County Museum Dundalk.
Noel Ross.
Eibhlin Colgan, Archive Manager, Diageo.
Leah Hennessy.
Alan Bogan, (the Sinking of The S S Dundalk (Marie Agnew))
Sean Kelly, The Jockeys, Anne St., Dundalk.
Donal McGeough, The Windsor, Dublin St., Dundalk.
Mel Rogers, Byrne and Maguire Ltd., Dublin St., Dundalk.
Kathleen Dunne / Michael Grant, Grant’s Shop, Dublin St.
Brian Carroll, Sherry Fitzgerald, Dundalk.
Alan McGuinness, The Wine Shop.

3. To-Nights Lecture Content.
The Irish Brewing Industry from c1846.
The History of Brewing in Dundalk up to 1894.
Macardle Moore County Louth Archive Collection.
The Macardle Family.
The Moore Family.
Macardle Moore & Co. and The Great War.
The Brewery.

4. The Irish Brewing Industry from 1846.
Source – The Dynamics of the International Brewing Industry Since 1800.
A survey carried out in 1846 identified 115 Breweries in Ireland across 20 locations. **
Largest number by far were located in -
 Dublin with 12 Breweries 49.4% of total national out put
 Lisburn had 10 5.4%
 Cork had 7 12.0%
 Dundalk 6 3.2%
 Population density and higher wages presented the brewers in Dublin and
Cork with a greater demand.
 The Dublin brewers had an advantage in terms of distribution because of the
extensive Canal System.
 While the construction of the Irish Rail Network improved rural market
access for the larger urban breweries. **
 By the end of the 19th century there were still 5 breweries recorded as
existing in Co. Louth.
 And a contributing aspect to the success of the Louth breweries was that
they were located in a major barley growing region.

5. A History of Brewing in Dundalk.
Up to 1894.
The plaque reads –
 THE DUNDALK BREWERY was established on this site in 1707
 It traded continuously as MACARDLE MOORE & CO. Ltd., from 1863 to 1995.
 From 1st Jan 1996 Macardle Moore was incorporated into the GUINNESS
Ireland Group”.

6. 1. In common with other Irish towns Dundalk had a number of small scale “breweries”
from a very early date. **
2. In 1683 it is believed that there were 32 ale and beer breweries in Dundalk . **
3. In 1779 a William McCrawley was advertising “cut price” beer at 25/- per barrel. **
4. By 1790 there were 14 brewers recorded in Dundalk, 7 of “strong beer”, 5 of “small
beer” and 2 “brewing retailers”.
5. One of the lager of these brewery’s was owned by Mr. James McAllister who
established a facility at a former cambric factory on the Ardee Road.
6. In 1799 a Mr. P Martin had a brewery in Park Street and in 1809 Bernard Duffy
established a brewery in the Lower Ward.
7. By 1837 the number of breweries was down to eight and they brewed an amount of
65,225 quarters of malt or about 200,000 barrels of beer annually. **
8. By 1846 McAllisters of Cambricville and Wynnes of Dublin Street were the only 2
breweries still operating in Dundalk. **
A Short History of Brewing in Dundalk.

7. Wynnes of Dublin Street .
(Dublin Street Brewery, Dundalk).
Brewery or Malt
Store ?.
Maltings – Dublin Street &
Anne Street, Dundalk.
The company had 3 maltings in Dundalk.
One at Cambricville, one in Dublin Street (above) and another one at Buttercrane at Quay Street.
1847

8. Map of Dublin Street area of Dundalk.
c1829 to c1841.
Brewery.

9. Demonstartion on the closure of the
G. N. R. Works in 1958.
Macardles Sign.

10. Carolans Bottling Plant,
Earl Street, Dundalk.
Earl Street
in 1930
Carolans
Bottling
Plant

11. Macardle Moore
County Louth Archive Collection.
A Brief History.
The detail supporting this slide is taken from
“The Macardle Moore Collection”
which in held by the Louth County Archive Services and displayed to-night with
the kind permission of Lorraine McCann, County Archivist.

12. Macardle Moore Brewery.
C1920.
The caption reads “Macardle Moore, brewers to the Army and Navy had over
60 “Tied Houses” in Dundalk.
Note – Lorry’s have solid tyres.

13. McGuill’s Public House,
The Square, Dundalk.
1943
The caption under the above photograph clearly states
McGuill’s Public House,
once a Macardle Moore “Tied House”.
Note the
Macardle Moore
name which is still
visible on the
front of the
building.

14. Edward Henry Macardle 1827 to 1887
Edward Henry Macardle.

15. Edward Henry (1827 to 1887) *
married Margaret Callan (1831 to 1921) in the early 1850’s.
They had 9 Children -
Thomas Callan 1856 / 1925 age 68 years
Edward Henry 1861 / 1887 age 26 years *
Andrew (Rev) c1863 / 1942 age 79 years
Margaret Mary 1865 / 1883 age 18 years *
Francis Xavier 1868 / 1883 age 15 years *
Peter Levins 1869 / 1948 age 61 years / Bachelor / Solicitor.
Nellie 1870 / 1937 age 67 years / no death record located.
Michael J c1863 / 1941.
John St P
* Note that between the years 1883 and 1887, 4 members of the family died.
Margaret and Francis Xavier both died in 1883 while their father Edward Henry
Senior and Junior both died in 1887.

16. Edward Henry Macardle died on 25th February 1887. His address is recorded as
Camberville, Dundalk, his age as 60 years and his occupation as Brewer.
Present at his death was his son, Thomas Callan Macardle.
The Death of Edward Henry Macardle.

17. Dundalk Examiner 25th February 1887.
Death of Prominent Dundalk Man.
 For the relief of the poor of Dundalk he was always to be found in the front rank and amongst the
most liberal subscribers.
 For twenty four years he occupied the position of Chairman of the Town Board and Borough
Magistrate. He was a member of the Harbour Board during the same period, and for some years
occupied the position of chairman. He was also a director of the Steam Packet Company, a magistrate
of the county, and an ex-officio Guardian of the Poor Law Board.
 As a magistrate, whether in the borough or petty sessions in court, he was a lenient judge as far as
justice would permit him to be.
 His commercial transactions were characterised by the strictest honesty and integrity. He was as
popular with the farmers from whom he purchased barley as with the vintners to whom he sold his
ales.
 At the Petty Sessions on yesterday the magistrates postponed the hearing of all except the custody
cases, and the ships in the harbour of Newry as well as of Dundalk had their flags at half-mast as a
mark of respect to his memory.
 Tomorrow at two o’clock his remains will be removed for interment in Castletown Cemetery.

18. Margaret Macardle died on 15th December 1921 age 90 years.
Her address is recorded as St. Margaret’s, Camberville, Dundalk.
She is shown as the wife of a brewer.
Present at her death was her son, Peter L Macardle.
The Death of Margaret Macardle.

19. Cambricville House, Dundalk.

20. Castletown Graveyard, Dundalk.
Location of Grave Ref. 595
Tombstone Inscriptions in Castletown Graveyard.
Noel Ross and Maureen Wilson.

21. Grave Reference 595.
Castletown Graveyard,
Dundalk.
MACARDLE
In loving memory of Edward Henry Macardle J.P.
of Cambricville Dundalk died 25th February
1887, aged 60 years.
And of his children Margaret Mary died 16th
March 1883, aged 18 years.
Francis Xavier died 1st September 1883, aged 15
years.
Henry Edward died 21st April 1887, aged 26
years.
And his wife Margaret Macardle, died 15th
December 1921, aged 90 years.
On whose souls sweet Jesus have mercy. R.I.P.
(east side)
Sir Thomas Callan Macardle K.B.E. died 18th
December 1925, aged 69 years.
His sister Nellie Macardle died 10th November
1937, aged 67 years.
Their brother Peter. Levins Macardle died 11th
June 1948, aged 81 years.
R.I.P. (south side) (595)

22. Sir Thomas Callan Macardle.
K. B. E. D.L.
1856 to 1925
A son of Edward Henry and Margaret Macardle nee Callan.
HE came from a prominent Irish Catholic family whose fortunes were
linked with Dundalk’s history as a brewing centre.
He attended St. Mary’s College, Dundalk before spending some time
in England where he lived with the family of his cousin, steam ship
owner, John Williams.
Thomas returned to Dundalk to run the Macardle Moore brewery
shortly after the death of his father.
He was very successful in business between 1890 and 1920.
He served as a Justice of the Peace and President of Dundalk
chamber of Commerce.

23. Thomas Callan Macardle married
Minnie Lucy Ross in 1888.
Thomas Callan Macardle married Minnie Lucy Ross on 24th April 1888 in the
Church of the Holy Family, Dublin.
Witnesses at the marriage were Thomas Levin Moore and Nila Ross.
His “Rank / Profession” was recorded as a “Brewer”.
At this time his father Edward Henry Macardle was dead.

24. Thomas Callan and Minnie Lucy had 5 children.
Dorothy M 1889 / 1958
Kenneth H 1890 / 1916
John Ross 1891 / 1967 (Kensington, London)
Gladys Monica 1894 / ??
Donald Frederick 1900 / 1984 (Kensington, London)

25. Dorothy Macardle 1889 to 1958.
Dorothy Macardle was born on 17th March 1889.
Her address was recorded as Dublin St., Dundalk
She died on 23rd December 1958 in the Lourdes
Hospital, Drogheda age 69 years.
Her address at the time of her death was Widgate
Road, Howth, Co. Dublin.

26. Kenneth Macardle was born
on 21st April 1890.
His address was recorded as
Dublin St., Dundalk.
Kenneth H Macardle.
1890 to 1916.
Age 26 years.

27. 2nd Lieutenant Kenneth Henry Callan Macardle.
Killed in Action 9th July 1916.
2nd Lieutenant Kenneth Henry Callan Macardle landed in France on the 3rd February
1916 with the Manchester Regiment.
His his death is recorded as the 9th July 1916 although it states 10th July on his Medal
Index Card.
Thiepval Memorial
Name

28. Kenneth Henry Callan Macardle Macardle.
Military Record.
He was awarded the British
War Medal and Victory
Medal.
His address is shown as –
Sir Thomas Callan Macardle,
St. Margaret’s,
Dundalk, Ireland.

29. John Ross Macardle 1891 to 1967.
John Ross Macardle was born on 24th July 1891.
His address was recorded as Jocelyn Place, Dundalk.
His father is recorded as Thomas Callan and his mother as Minnie Lucy Macardle nee Ross.
He was appointed as Temporary 2nd Lieutenant on the 12th October 1914 and landed in
France with the Royal Field Artillery on the 17th July 1915.
There is a record a Capt. John Ross MacArdle being appointed Lieutenant Royal Artillery on
the 28th Dec 1939.
And another record for a J R MacArdle recorded in the British Army Lists as Lieutenant with
the Royal Regiment of Artillery from 1940 – 1945.

30. John Ross Macardle.
Military Record.
Military Cross.
Awarded for “Gallantry during Active Service against the Enemy”.
The address recorded on his military records is – Cambricville, Dundalk, Ireland.

31. SUPPLEMENT TO THE EDINBURGH GAZETTE.
MARCH 25th 1918.
.
T./Lt. John Ross Macardle, R.F.A.
Citation -
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to
duty. His battery came under heavy fire,
and the camouflage at one of the gun pits
was set on fire. He at once ran in and extinguished
it, and thus prevented the fire
from spreading to the ammunition.
It was largely due to his gallant act that the battery
was able to keep all its guns in action.

32. Gladys Monica Macardle.
Gladys Monica Macardle, called Mona, was born on 14th December 1895.
Her address was recorded as Jocelyn Place, Dundalk.
In her time she was an actress and she spent a period of her life in Stratford
where she was involved in the work of Shakespeare.
During the period of the Great War Monica joined the Queen Mary’s Auxiliary
Army Corps.

33. Donald Frederick Macardle 1900 to 1984.
Donald Frederick Macardle was born on 12th November 1900.
His address was recorded Seatown Place, Dundalk.
He was an Irish film and stage actor and writer, with rolls in 10 films.
He played the roll of the Duke of Monmouth in Nell Gwyn, a 1926 British
romance film.
He directed the 1933 film The King's Cup.
Co- Writer of 1943 film “Thursday’s Child”.
He lived most of his adult life in London with his wife Enid and one of his
other “Claims to Fame” was that he destroyed all of his sister Dorothy's
personal papers which was a collection of national importance.
He died on May 25, 1984 in Kensington, London, England.

34. 1911 Census Record.
1 Cambrickville, Dundalk.
1911 Census Record.
1 Wellington Rd, Pembroke West, Dublin.

35. The Windsor Bar, Dublin St., Dundalk.
Detail on the above drawing shows that “A New Shop and
House” was sought for T.C. (Thomas Callan) Macardle in July
1893.
Accommodation included 7 bedrooms.
Application was made on 21st July 1893, approval was
granted on 25th July 1893.

36. Dundalk Steeplechases & Flat Races.
Wednesday 21st May 1890.

37. Sir Thomas Callan Macardle 1920.

38. Sir Thomas Callan Macardle K.B.E. died 18th December
1925, aged 69 years.
Hi wife Minnie Ross Macardle died in July 1933 at the
home of her son Donald in London.
Prior to death she was in poor health for a number of
years.
The Death of Thomas Callan and
his wife Minnie Ross Macardle.

39. The Rev. Andrew Macardle.
C1863 to 1942.
Source – “Irish Catholics in Early Twentieth Century Ireland” by Desmond Gibney,
Lecturer of Accounting at the National College of Ireland (NCI) in Dublin.

40. Michael J Macardle.
c1863 / 1941.
Michael J was a son of Edward Henry and
Margaret Macardle nee Callan.

41. Marriage Record for Michael J Macardle and
Catherine O’Hagan.
Michael J Macardle married Catherine O’Hagan on 9th July 1902 at Chapel of
St. Francis in Dublin.
Witnesses at the marriage were J S P Macardle and May O’Hagan.

42. Michael and Catherine had 3 Children.
Margaret Mary Born 1st June 1903.
(Mauraithe) At Lower 91 Baggott St. Dublin.
Father recorded as Michael Joseph Macardle / Brewer /
address shown as Anne Keagh House, Dundalk.
Mother recorded as Catherine Madeline Macardle nee O’Hagan.
Sheila Born in 1905.
Married Major Thomas Henry Bevan.
She died on 5th July 1964, drowned in Carlingford Lough after the boat in
which she was in caught fire.
Also drowned in the accident was her husband Major Thomas Henry Bevan.
Michael Joseph Born 7th October 1907.
Father recorded as Michael Joseph Macardle / Brewer / address shown as
Kilcurley, Dundalk.
Mother recorded as Catherine Madeline Macardle nee O’Hagan.
He was killed in an accident during a point to point race in the
locality and for a number of years after his death a memorial race
was held in his honour in the Dundalk Race Track.

43. 1911 Census Record for Michael J Macardle.
15 Kilcurly, Dundalk.

44. Michael J Macardle died in 1941.
Death Record for Michael Joseph Macardle.
Details in the above Record –
Michael died on 12th May 1941 age 78 years at Miltown Grange,
Castlebellingham.
Present at his death was his daughter Sighte (Sheila) Bevan.
For the record the above named Sighte (Sheila) Bevan was married to
Major T Bevan who was a director of the Macardle Moore Brewery.

45. Death of Katherina Macardle.
Katherina MacArdle
 Mrs. Katherina M. MacArdle, of Whitemills, Castlebellinghain.
 Died in the Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda.
 Was the widow of Mr. Michael J. MacArdle, late of Mlltowngrange.
 He was the former chairman of MacArdle Moore and Co., the Dundalk
brewers.

46. John St. P Macardle.
John St. P Macardle a son of
Edward Henry and Margaret Macardle nee Callan.
This man was a “Bit of a Genius”.

47. Macardle’s Brewery was noted for being at the cutting
edge of production techniques.
Mr. John St. P Macardle designed the
“Macardle Air Pump System”, a process
for supplying sterilised air to the
refrigeration and fermenting
departments in order to eliminate
bacteria.
He also patented the “Anti-Bacterial Cask Cleansing Apparatus”.
It worked by pumping hot air followed by hot water into the barrels and then
followed this with a blast of cool air to dry them.
This invention was used by Guinness’s Brewery and in other breweries in
England.
He received several gold medals for his invention which was constructed to his
design by Manisty’s Foundry in Dundalk.

48. Horse and Dray.
In 1907 he overcame
the problems
associated with
transporting malt,
which tended to
absorb moisture
rapidly, by developing
the Malt Wagon
(Dundalk Democrat
1907).
Malt Wagon.
His inventions didn’t stop there.

49. Andrew Thomas Moore.
 Ashtown House, which was located in the Phoenix Park was the Moore family home .
 Andrew Thomas was the Managing Director of Messrs. George Roe and Co. Distillers.
 He was a first cousin of Edward Henry Macardle’s wife Margaret.
 He was the owner of one of the largest tanneries in Ireland.
 He sat on the Board of the Dundalk and Newry Steam Packet Company.
 Macardle and Moore agreed a partnership in 1863 which was the beginning of the
brewing company Macardle Moore & Co Ltd.
 Moore eventually sold his shares in the brewery to Guinness.
 Andrew Thomas Moore died on 13th May 1887 at Lower Baggot St., Dublin.
 The Moore Family were related to Mother Mary Martin.
Roe's Thomas Street Distillery, circa. 1892.
Ashtown House.

50. Early Awards and Recognition.
In 1882 Macardle Moore won the Gold Medal at the Exhibition of Art and
Manufacturers for their Stouts and Beers.
At the 1885 Irish Artisans Exhibition in Dublin the company won 1st prize for
the superior quality of their beer.
They also won the Gold Medal for Ale and Stout at the Distillers, Brewers and
Allied Trades Exhibition in 1892.

51. Statement of Capital A/C as between
Mr. Macardle and Mr. Moore.
Detail of A/C dated 14th April 1867.
Cover of Statement of A/C Ledger
from 1863.

52. Check Book and Share Certificates.

53. Board of Directors Detail.
Directors Attendance Book. Record of First Board Meeting.
.
1895.

54. Label Detail / Bottling Process / Distribution.

55. Explosion at Brewery at 7.00 p.m.15th June 1903.
Alarming Accident at Cambricville Brewery.
Extradordinary Escapes.
Dundalk Democrat 20th June 1903.
Measured
20ft x 12 ft.

56. Macardle and Moore & Company.
The Great War
1914 to 1918.
Key Points –
 The British Government proposals to acquire the liquor trade in
the First World War.
 The role of David Lloyd George as Chancellor of the Exchequer
and as Prime Minister.
 His Governments proposals for the purchase of brewing
interests by exploring the case of a family owned Irish brewery,
Macardle Moore and Co. Ltd., Dundalk, Ireland.
 Thomas Callan Macardle was made a Knight Commander of the
order of the British Empire (KBE) “for services in connection with the
war” (London Gazette 1920 p 3757).
Note “The Irish Army Brewers”

57. Letter from the British War Office.

58. SS Dundalk Disaster Fund 1918.
Contribution from the Macardle Moore & Co. and the Macardle Family.

59. “The Brewery Team”.
1936

60. Double Diamond
By the middle of the 20th century,
Macardles Moore had forged links with
the large British brewing firm Ind Coope,
whose “Double Diamond” beer was
brewed by Macardles from the 1950’s to
1985.
Photograph shows a brewer from Ind Coope, Bill Webster, who worked on the project
with Macardle Moore. Also in the photograph is Jim Johnston and his wife Hannah with
their son Jim.
The photograph taken on the front porch of Cambricville House.

61. Tug of War Team, mid 1950’s.

62. Bernard Rogers 1898 / 1952.
Bernard Rogers was the Macardle Moore Head Brewer from c1920
to his untimely death in 1952 age only 54 years.
He was the first Brewer to brew Macardle Ale and the last Brewer to
brew Macardles Stout.
When Bernard died the brewing of Macardles Stout died.
The product was never brewed again.
For the record, Bernard’s father Thomas and his brother were tea
and wine merchants located in Bridge Street, Dundalk.
The existence of Thomas Rogers as a “Wine & Spirit
Merchant & Family Grocers” was recorded in the
1898 Tempest Annual.

63. Jim Johnston.
Jim with his wife Hannah and his daughter Anne.
A page from Jim’s “work book” relating to his “Test
for Formalin in Beer” dated 3rd Dec 1963.

64. Retirement of Nicholas McCourt.

65. A Face in the Crowd.
Macardle Moore & Co. Ltd. Closed in 2001.

66. Established By Dundalk Man
Dr Pearse Lyons, the brewery started
producing in October 2018, he was so
proud to set up a brewery on the site
of Macardle Moore
and in his home town
of Dundalk.
The company produce their own craft beers-
Foxes Rock - and also contract brew and
package for a number of other craft
breweries.
They will brew over 2M litres of beer this year
and bottle over 4M bottles.
It is an honour to brew on such an historical
brewing site.

67. Question - What’s in a Name.
Joell Hoey.
Neale Kelly.
James Dummican.
Brian McRory.
Willim Curraun.
Tom Mullen.
William Gawley 1779.
George Byrne Seatown mid 1700’s.
?? Wynne.
James McAllister 1790.
Mr. P. Martin 1799.
Bernard Duffy 1809.
John Charles Duffy. Nephew of Wynne
Arthur Duffy. Nephew of Wynne.
Edward Henry Macardle.
A. T. Moore.
Thomas Callan Macardle.
Michael J Macardle

68. Macardle Moore & Co. Ltd.
A quote from The Democrat.
1896.
The new consortium emerged and built a new brewery in the town which
was located close to the Great Northern Line.
Its first head brewer, a Mr. Borham, was renowned for his famed amber ale.
The company produced three kinds of ale –
A light dessert ale
An amber ale.
And a strong ale.
The latter was so potent that a glass or two could, according to the
Dundalk Democrat in 1896 –
“Knock a man down,
while half a dozen or so would fell an ox.”

69. Father Theobald Mathew.
Question -
So, who was this person?.
What did he have to do with Macardle Moore & Co.?

70. 1911 Census for Margaret Macardle.
2 Cambricville, Dundalk.

71. 1901 Census of Ireland.
The Macardle Family lived at
5 Seatown Place, Dundalk.

72. Griffiths Valuation.
(Valuation of property in Ireland between 1847 and 1864).
Records show that between the years 1847 and 1864
Edward McArdle (note the spelling of the name) was the
Immediate Lessor (owner) of the following addresses in
Dublin St., Dundalk –
50, occupied by Michael Larkin.
51, occupied by Owen Carroll.
52, occupied by Owen Carroll.
53, occupied by Henry Casey.
54, occupied by Bryan Duffy.