Paul Smithwick KM, OBE Global Advisory Board Member Emeritus
1946 - 2022
“A true friend to Ireland’s heritage” and our dear family friend
Mr. Smithwick was the Founder and Chairman of Sullivan’s 1702, a premium craft beer brewery in Kilkenny, Ireland. He was part of the 9th generation of his family to continue the Smithwick family’s 300-year-old brewing heritage in Kilkenny, Ireland. Mr. Smithwick had significant experience in the agriculture, energy, finance, mining, oil, pharmaceutical, and timber sectors. He was Chairman of Unicorn Mineral Resources, a metals exploration company in Ireland, and served as Chairman of Kells Minerals Plc., Ovoca Gold Plc., and Grosvenor Recycling (London). He had extensive global contacts in the diplomatic and commercial arenas. Mr. Smithwick was a board member of the Jack and Jill Foundation, a member of the Knights of Malta (1976), and an Honorary Freeman of the City of Kilkenny (1975). In 2016, he was awarded an Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the New Year’s honours list for his service to British-Irish relations. He, along with the Duke of Abercorn, set up Bonds of Friendship which brings together members of An Garda Síochána, the PSNI, the army and the British army regiment the Irish Guards on an annual basis. A hereditary Freeman of Kilkenny, he was also involved in the Mayo Peace Park, which opened in 2008. It remembers all those from the county who died in armed conflict, most notably those who died in the first World War. He was a true friend to Ireland’s heritage and frequently supported events at various historic properties, particularly at Kilkenny Castle where he attended the 50th anniversary celebrations in 2019 that marked the official handover of the castle to the Office of Public Works. He is fondly remembered there as well as in Farmleigh, where he visited regularly. Paul’s final heritage battle saw him join with his friend Lord Iveagh to save the Iveagh Markets in The Liberties in Dublin. It was indicative of his selfless devotion to causes larger than himself.