Two months after John Lynch, the brewery's lone objector, retracted his High Court appeal to overturn An Bord Pleanála's December approval of the project, work on the project has begun.

Following constructive mediation negotiations with Guinness manufacturer Diageo, Mr. Lynch withdrew his case.

A Diageo representative stated that “the target date for the brewery to begin production is 2026 and it will facilitate the growth of overall beer exports from Ireland” when plans for the brewery were originally submitted in July 2022.

“It will also facilitate enhanced capacity for the production of the fast-growing Guinness 0.0 at the traditional home of Guinness at St James's Gate in Dublin,” she stated.

Lagers and ales like as Rockshore, Harp, Hop House 13, Kilkenny, and Carlsberg will be brewed at the new plant.

Diageo's Category Head for Global Beer Supply, Colin O'Brien, stated: “We are thrilled to have accomplished this important milestone with the commencement of building activities, following the announcement of our intentions to establish this new brewery in 2022. This new brewery is a significant step forward for Diageo as a global enterprise, both in Ireland and beyond.”

“This €200 million investment by Diageo is hugely important and is great news for Ireland's food and drink industry as well as for the local economy and community here in Kildare,” said Martin Heydon, TD for Kildare South, and Minister of State for Agriculture, during the sod-turning event.

“It is a real vote of confidence for the entire county to have such a major company that produces iconic brands locating a brand-new facility here in Kildare,” stated Sonya Kavanagh, CEO of Kildare County Council.

Littleconnell's new brewery is expected to significantly increase employment in the Kildare region, creating up to 1,000 jobs during the project's 20-month building phase and an additional 70 jobs after it opens for business.

Kildare Co Council had given the project planning permission in March 2023, but the brewery plan was put on hold when Mr. Lynch and John Callaghan, the man at the centre of RTÉ Investigates allegations concerning payoffs to objectors in the planning system, appealed the decision separately to An Bord Pleanála.

On November 23 of last year, Mr. Callaghan withdrew his case before the appeals board granted approval in December.