Diageo, which has just announced its financial results for the year to June, says sales of Guinness in Ireland rose by 2 percent during the year - this growth was supported by innovations such as the Brewer’ Project at St Jame’s Gate.

Net sales in spirits – principally whiskey, vodka and rum, were down 2 percent though due, the company says, to the impact of last year’s increase in government excise duty. 

Globally, sales of Guinness products were flat, with higher sales in the US and Western Europe offset by declines in key markets such as Nigeria and Indonesia. 

Sales of Baileys’s cream liqueur fell by 4 percent globally, while sales of Bushmills rose by 7 percent.

Overall Diageo’s results disappointed the markets due to a slowdown in China and other emerging markets.

Net sales globally fell by 9 percent to £10.3bn and the group has written about £80m off the value of some of its brands