A bare knuckle boxer, with one eye.
The Mahon Group’s story is one of resilience, ambition, and strong family values. It all began in 1949, when John Mahon leased a small pub before purchasing it in 1950 from Fischer (or Fisher), a one-eyed former bare-knuckle fighter. Since then, our family-run business has grown through four generations, building a proud legacy in drinks manufacturing and distribution. With decades of industry expertise, we've become a trusted partner to brands and customers alike - known for our commitment to quality, reliability and long-standing relationships With a vision for growth, John expanded beyond the pub, launching bottling operations and securing a pivotal contract with the Army Canteen Board. By the 1970s and 80s, the company was manufacturing Mahon’s Orange and Cola Lemonade, while also expanding its wholesale distribution network. By the 1990’s, John’s two sons Pat and Kevin Mahon took the reins, overseeing wholesale expansion into Dublin and beyond. With a strong team – including David Mahon, Esther, Elaine, Noreen and Phil – the business modernised, introducing fleet management systems and strategic logistic improvements. Despite challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic, Mahon Group doubled its market share and acquired competitors, reinforcing its industry leadership. In 2024, the company celebrates 75 years, serving over 1,000 clients with a focus on quality, sustainability, and strong customer relationships. From a pub owned by a prizefighter to one of Ireland’s top beverage distributors, Mahon Group’s legacy continues to grow.
JJ Mahon & Sons: The Bottling Heritage
Kildare, Ireland – March 2026
In the early years following its founding on December 7, 1949, by John Mahon (commonly known as JJ), JJ Mahon & Sons operated an in-house bottling plant in Kildare town. This production facility was a cornerstone of the business, enabling direct manufacturing and supply of beverages during a pivotal time in Ireland’s post-war recovery.
The bottling operations trace their roots to the Emergency (World War II era). While managing pubs near the Curragh Camp, John Mahon recognized the opportunity to provide reliable drinks to the large garrison of up to 20,000 troops stationed there. This led to a significant contract with the Army Canteen Board, beginning with bottling mineral water to meet the substantial and consistent demand. The contract’s success established the company’s early reputation for quality and dependability.
By the 1950s and 1960s, the Kildare bottling plant had expanded into a hands-on production hub. Processes were semi-manual and characteristic of mid-20th-century Irish bottling: filling, capping, labeling, and bonding (especially for spirits), with returnable glass bottles moving along conveyor belts. Output supported local pubs, shops, the military supply needs, and distribution across Kildare and neighboring Leinster counties.
The plant produced and handled a range of beverages:
• Bottling and bonding established brands, including Phoenix Ale, Cherry’s Ale, Guinness Extra Stout, Smithwicks Ale, and Jameson Whiskey.
• Manufacturing proprietary soft drinks under local brands such as Curra Orange (or variants like Mahon’s Orange), Mahon’s Lemonade, and Curragh Lemonade (sometimes referred to as Cola Lemonade). These home-produced minerals were popular regionally, reflecting the business’s ability to cater to community tastes.
The bottling line represented a period of direct involvement in production, allowing control over quality and responsiveness to demand in an era when localized bottling was common for beers, spirits, and soft drinks.
By the mid-1970s, changing industry dynamics made continued in-house bottling challenging. Centralized manufacturing by larger suppliers offered greater efficiencies for major brands, while rising operational costs — exacerbated by the Middle East fuel crisis impacting energy-intensive processes — added significant pressures. As a result, bottling production ceased entirely in 1976.
This transition marked the end of the manufacturing era and a shift toward wholesale distribution, building on the expertise and relationships forged during the bottling years. The heritage of the Kildare bottling plant — from supplying troops at the Curragh to crafting local soft drinks — remains a foundational part of the company’s story, illustrating early innovation and adaptation in Ireland’s drinks trade.
Patrick Nicholas Mahon
On the 5th of March 2023 former company Director Pat Mahon went to his heavenly reward. Pat was born in Athlone on the 7th of February 1939. His father John was then managing what was called the Palace bar for D.E. Williams. Upon the start of the war John moved his young family to Brownstown where Williams’ had two pubs, “Upper” and “Lower” Williams’.
Pat first attended national school on the Curragh then later The Academy in Kildare. He attended secondary school in Blackrock College. After a stint working for Findlater wines Pat returned to work with his father. John at this point had established his own pub at Claregate Street Kildare, in addition to the JJ Mahon’s public house. John also established a fledgling wholesale bottling business. Bottling and bonding beers and spirits such as Phoenix and Cherry’s ales, Jameson whiskey, Guinness extra stout, Smithwicks ale to name but a few. In addition John was producing his own brand of soft drinks, under the banner of Mahons Orange and Curragh lemonade.
Pat had responsibility for running the bottling line. From there the business grew and in 1970 upon leaving Blackrock College Pat was joined by his youngest brother Kevin. In 1972 JJ Mahon and Sons was incorporated as a limited company. The business continued to grow and prosper in 1981 the family acquired the Kildare wallpaper factory. Which to this day remains the site of the company’s distribution hub.
Pat didn’t travel far to find the love of his life. Jean Waters whose family had an established grocery business on the square called Southwells. Pat and Jean were married in 1969 soon after saw the birth of their Son Peter 1971 and David 1975. Sadly on the 5th of September 2000 Jean passed away after a fight with cancer. In his latter years Pat struggled with his own health. But despite that he retained an interest in the business right up until the end.
Pat was a doting Grandfather to five grandchildren Betha, JJ, Josh, Alison and Harry. A loving husband, father and grandfather. Pat Mahon 1939-2023