One of Ireland's best-known whiskey distilleries has changed ownership in a £200 million deal, it emerged today.
The Old Bushmills Distillery in Antrim, the oldest licensed whiskey distillery in the world, was taken over by the drinks industry giant Diageo.
The company's chief executive Paul Walsh said the purchase of the Bushmills brands was a particularly exciting opportunity for Diageo.
"This is one of the industry's oldest Irish whiskey brands and gives Diageo, for the first time, an important presence in this growing category," he said. "Since 2000 Diageo has built a focused premium drinks company which is now a world leader.
"The business has grown organically and through targeted acquisitions and the Bushmills purchase continues this strategy."
Diageo also owns established drinks brands such as Johnnie Walker, J&B, Smirnoff, Captain Morgan, Cuervo and Tanqueray, as well as Ireland's best-known drinks firms - Guinness and Baileys.
Mr Walsh said: "We believe Bushmills has huge growth potential and are looking forward to utilising our marketing expertise and distribution capabilities to move this brand into the global whiskey market."
Bushmills was previously owned by the French drinks giant Pernod Ricard. The acquisition of the Bushmills plant means Diageo now employs 580 people in Northern Ireland.
The old Bushmills distillery, which received its licence to distill in 1608, employs staff of 125.