Longford man one of first in country to net brewing degree

Longford's growing repute as one of the country's leading brewing and distilling locations came in for further acclaim this week, courtesy of Carrickboy man Sean Murray.

The 33-year-old became one the first group of people to graduate from a third level institution that has a special dedicated course in brewing and distilling at Carlow IT.

A former pupil of Ballymhon VEC, Sean was among a group of 11 graduates to be conferred with Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Brewing and Distilling from the south east Leinster based facility.

“I was kind of home brewing for a good while and when I saw the course come up, I leapt at the opportunity,” said Sean.

The son of John and Bridie Murray, Sean said his decision to enrol in the course was, in part, influenced, by the recent proliferation of local independent brewery firms that have popped up locally.

And he predicted how the growing trend was one which would continue to grow over the months and years ahead.

“There are so many jobs out there at the minute (in the industry) for anyone that's looking to get involved in it,” he said.

The four-year course Sean completed is the first undergraduate brewing and distilling degree in Ireland which equips students with the necessary scientific knowledge designed to specifically meet the demands of a growing industry.

Successful completion of this course allows exemption from the Brewing and Distilling Diploma level examinations to sit the Master level professional qualifications of the Institute of Brewing and Distilling (IBD).

Now employed in Crolly Distillery near Dunloe in Co Donegal, Sean said that while he still holds designs to further his studies in the future, for now the opportunity to make a decent living is what most excites him.

“In the future, definitely I would like to go onto a higher grade, but I am happy enough at the moment,” he said.

“A student monetary lifestyle isn't the greatest so I am quite happy for now doing what I am doing.”

He also had this advice for anyone looking to follow in his own footsteps.

“I was always very into beers and whiskeys from a sensory point of view,” he added.

“I suppose I would be an enthusiast and what this (course) does is it blends science, engineering, manufacturing and marketing.

“It's a multi-disciplinary industry, no matter where you end up.”