Dublin - London-based drinks group Diageo announced Friday that it set to consolidate breweries around Ireland, including the historic Guinness brewery in the Irish capital Dublin.

Diageo chief executive Paul Walsh told journalists at the brewery at St James's Gate, a major Dublin landmark, that the new brewery would be located at a completely new site in Clondalkin, north of Dublin.

Diageo brewery closures were announced in other Irish cities, including Waterford, Kilkenny and Dundalk.

A Guiness workers' union representative Sean Mackell was quoted by Irish broadcaster RTE as saying the company's move would be subject to union negotiation. (dpa)