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Lyons Brewing & Distilling Co. is the new global brand name for the Lyons family’s beverage business, including breweries and distilleries in Kentucky and Ireland

[DUBLIN] – What began as a personal passion and a toast to family tradition for the late Dr. Pearse Lyons has become a global beverage business with six breweries and distilleries in Kentucky, USA, and in Ireland crafting an award-winning line of beers and spirits.

The legacy continues with Dr. Mark Lyons, the seventh generation of the Lyons family to be involved in brewing and distilling, as well as his mother and Pearse’s wife, Deirdre Lyons. Recently, Mark and Deirdre developed a new global brand name for their family of breweries and distilleries. Lyons Brewing & Distilling Co. now represents their beverage entities, including Lexington Brewing & Distilling Co., Dueling Barrels Brewery & Distillery, Pearse Lyons Distillery and Pearse Lyons Brewery. This new name is reflective of the business’ private and family-owned nature and will enable the business to better tell its story.

With the development of this new global brand, the Lyons family also began an international search for its first CEO.

“We were looking for a leader who shares our team-focused values, commitment to excellence and passion for brewing and distilling,” said Dr. Mark Lyons, president of Lyons Brewing & Distilling Co. “We were delighted to find those qualities in Lisa Wicker. When Lisa and I met, one of the elements that stood out most to me was her background as a scientist and journalist. As we appoint our first-ever CEO for Lyons Brewing & Distilling Co., it seems fitting that we found someone who, like my father did, has a deep enthusiasm for and expertise in the craft — both the science and the storytelling.”

Wicker most recently served as the president and master distiller at Widow Jane Distillery, a rapidly growing whiskey brand in New York. Her early interest in the beverage business began on an Indiana vineyard, where she picked grapes as a farmhand and proved she was not afraid to get her hands dirty. Since then, her 20-year career journey has spanned many facets of the spirits industry, including winemaking, whiskey production, product development and fermentation management. She has held progressive roles in distilling and management at Limestone Branch Distillery in Lebanon, Kentucky; Starlight Distillery in Starlight, Indiana; and Preservation Distillery in Bardstown, Kentucky.

Wicker’s strengths include building teams and mentoring others in the industry. She has trained brand ambassadors and distributors and conducted masterclasses at WhiskyFest in New York, Whiskies of the World in Washington, D.C., and The New Orleans Bourbon Festival in New Orleans, Louisiana.

“I am delighted to return to Bourbon country and have the opportunity to be part of the next phase of growth for Lyons Brewing & Distilling Co.,” said Wicker. “The Lyons family’s story is unique in the brewing and distilling space, and the passion that the team has for their brand and their brewing and distilling processes is authentic. They have all of the elements to generate even greater success in the future, and I am looking forward to this next phase of growth alongside them.”

“Our breweries and distilleries were founded on family tradition, are steeped in rich history and are reflective of their communities,” said Lyons. “They hold stories that, when well-told, help connect people to our brand. Lisa’s experience with product development, combined with a degree in journalism and a shared belief in the power of storytelling, make her uniquely qualified to deliver on our vision for Lyons Brewing & Distilling Co. and to share what we find to be so special with even more people.”

Wicker began in her new role as CEO of Lyons Brewing & Distilling Co. in November and is based at the company’s Lexington Brewing & Distilling Co. in Lexington, Kentucky.

Recent accolades

Lexington Brewing & Distilling Co. wins two World Beer Awards

Two beverages produced by Lexington Brewing & Distilling Co. recently brought home gold medals from the 2022 World Beer Awards, a global awards program that selects the best beers in all internationally recognized styles.

Kentucky^® Maple Bourbon Stout and Kentucky^® Bourbon Barrel^® Ale were recognized as a Gold Medal Flavored Stout and Porter and a Gold Medal Heritage Beer, respectively.

Kentucky Maple Barrel Stout is a bold imperial stout brewed with brown sugar for an extra kick.

With flavors of roasted malt and cocoa, this brew was aged for 18 months in a freshly decanted maple syrup bourbon barrel. Kentucky Maple Barrel Stout has notes of sweet maple syrup, vanilla and caramel, backed up by hints of oak on the finish.

Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale is aged in freshly decanted bourbon barrels from some of Kentucky’s finest distilleries. Subtle yet familiar flavors of vanilla and oak are imparted to this special ale as it rests in the charred barrels. This beer has grown to become the flagship beer of the premier name in barrel-aged beers.

The 2022 World Beer Awards are part of the World Drinks Awards, presented by TheDrinksReport.com, a leading online resource for drinks professionals. More than 3,200 beers from more than 50 countries entered the contest, and an international judging panel blind-tasted and scored the entries across three rounds of judging to identify the best beers in 10 categories.

Lexington Brewing & Distilling Co. is located in downtown Lexington and is a popular stop on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail^®.

Pearse Lyons Distillery recognised by Whiskey Awards Ireland

Pearse Lyons Distillery at the historic St. James Church in Dublin has garnered yet another accolade, recently receiving the Highly Commended Award in the Sustainable Distillery Category at the Icons of Whiskey Ireland 2023 awards. The award is given to “a distillery that has implemented improved sustainability processes within the distillery and the wider supply chain in the past 12 months that have led to demonstrable reductions in the brand’s environmental impact.”

Pearse Lyons Distillery is Dublin’s only independent, family-owned distillery and is named for Alltech founder Dr. Pearse Lyons. It produces Pearse Irish Whiskey brands and pays homage to the Lyons family’s brewing and distilling legacy.

Located in a deconsecrated church, the distillery opened in 2017 and quickly became an award-winning tourist destination. The Lyons family’s environmental commitments were at the core of every decision made during the church’s restoration, from LED lighting and solar panels to shipping spent grains to local farmers to be used as animal feed.

Pearse Lyons Distillery recently achieved Gold Membership, the highest and most prestigious standard in the Bord Bia Origin Green program, Ireland’s pioneering food and drink sustainability program. Currently, the distillery is also awaiting intermediate certification from Sustainable Travel Ireland, the only Irish certification body with criteria recognized by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC).

In November, Pearse Lyons Distillery hosted the 2022 Irish Whiskey Awards ceremony, the pinnacle of the Irish Whiskey industry event calendar. More than 120 whiskey producers competed for medals in 17 categories, and entries were judged by members of eight Irish whiskey societies from across the country.

Pearse Lyons Distillery scooped up three prestigious awards at the event. Both the Pearse Lyons 5-Year-Old and Pearse Lyons 12-Year-Old whiskeys received gold medals. The distillery also won the title of Best New Irish Whiskey in the three-to-six-year-old category for its latest offering, Genesis, which has not even been released to the public yet.

The Pearse Lyons Distillery has garnered yet another accolade after recently receiving the Highly Commended Award in the Sustainable Distillery Category at the Icons of  Whisky Awards 2023. The award is given to “a distillery that has implemented improved sustainability processes within the distillery and wider supply chain in the past 12 months that have led to demonstrable reductions in the brand’s environmental impact.”

This is an outstanding achievement for the whole team and a significant recognition of our ongoing sustainability journey.

The Icons of Whisky awards aim to celebrate the best and brightest people and places in the sector – not just the distilleries and the teams that work in them, but also the individuals and businesses that work to support and promote them and their products.

The in-person awards ceremony, hosted Irish whiskey’s greatest producers and their wider teams at the Iveagh Garden Hotel in Dublin on 24 November for the 2023 regional awards, hosted by Whisky Magazine.

In recognition of their unwavering commitment to sustainability, Pearse Lyons Distillery has achieved Gold Membership, the highest and most prestigious standard in the Bord Bia Origin Green program. Pearse Lyons Distillery’s consistent improvement in the use of recycled and recyclable materials in product packaging, increased efficiencies in how raw materials are utilized, sustained waste reduction and community engagement were the basis for achieving this highly coveted status.

“We are proud to recognize Pearse Lyons Distillery with the Bord Bia Origin Green Gold Membership status as they have employed excellent sustainability practices, such as yearly increased use of recycled and recyclable materials in their bottles and packaging, increased return from the grain used for distilling, annual reductions in waste produced and increasing engagement with the communities around the distillery,” said Deirdre Ryan, director of sustainability & quality assurance, Origin Green Programme, Bord Bia.

“It’s a true honour for Pearse Lyons Distillery to attain Origin Green Gold status this year,” said Conor Farrell, chief operating officer of Alltech’s Beverage Division. “Sustainability is a core value of our production and distribution practices, originally championed by the Lyons Family, Alltech and their Planet of Plenty™ initiative. We consider the well-being of the consumer and the environment in all processes, and it is our company’s ongoing intention to be not only one of Ireland’s leading sustainable distilleries, but also a leader in our local community.”

Origin Green is Ireland’s pioneering food and drink sustainability programme, uniting the government, private sector and complete supply chain, from farmers to food producers, foodservice and retail. As the world’s only national food and drink sustainability programme, Origin Green enables the industry to set and achieve measurable sustainability targets that respect the environment and serve local communities more effectively.

“The Origin Green program has become immensely important to us,” said Conor Ryan, head of production operations at Pearse Lyons Distillery. “It has enhanced and focused our business, environmental and community-focused initiatives and has aided us in the continual monitoring and improvement of efficiencies across all processes. We strive to maintain only the highest of standards and have implemented practices that continue to serve this value well. Measurement and a commitment to continual improvement have contributed to a highly efficient production process that minimizes waste and resource inputs. In addition, ongoing product packaging development is leading us towards fully recycled and recyclable material usage.”

Pearse Lyons Distillery will battle it out against 13 European Distillery’s to be crowned Europe’s Leading Distillery Tour at this year’s World Travel Awards. Pearse Lyons Distillery is Dublin’s only independently, family-owned distillery. The distiller is located in the former, and lovingly restored, St. James Church in the heart of The Liberties, Dublin. The award-winning distillery produces Pearse Irish Whiskey and opened to visitors in September 2017.

Known for its intimate tours and tasting experiences with local storytellers, this distillery invites you to join them for the ultimate Irish Whiskey experience. Be one of a handful to meet and chat to the distillers and taste the range of limited editions and distillery exclusive whiskeys. Blend and bottle your own whiskey with the in-house experts and enjoy seasonal local produce which is paired beautifully with Pearse Irish Whiskey.

AWARD WINNING DISTILLERY IN DUBLIN 8

Named after the late Pearse Lyons, founder and Whiskey Innovator, the distillery opened its doors in 2017. Born from passion and family tradition, Pearse along with his wife Deirdre aspired to create a distillery like no other in Dublin. Paying homage to their ancestors, five generations of coopers in Dublin, the distillery experience takes you on an immersive journey where you discover and explore the art of Irish Whiskey distillation.

Pearse Lyons Distillery was awarded a Trip Advisor Travellers’ Choice Award in 2020. Winner of Best Dublin Visitor Experience 2019 at the Irish Tourism Industry Awards, the distillery is a must-see when in Dublin.

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With no less than four Irish distilleries being nominated for the World Travel Awards’ Europe’s Leading Distillery Tour, the Irish distilleries are up against distilleries in Scotland, England and France to claim the coveted title. To vote for Pearse Lyons Distillery, please click here. Voting closes on Wednesday, July 14 2021, with winners announced at the end of the month.

Sustainable Tourism Policy

Pearse Lyons Distillery is committed to continual advancement in the area of sustainability. We know that sustainability – and, sustainable tourism is not a destination, but a journey. We are working with all our suppliers and visitors to reach a future where our award-winning visitor attraction is carbon positive.  We will keep you up to date with our endeavours as we gradually make these important changes to grow our role in the circular economy in Dublin 8.

Sustainable Tourism Mission Statement

Pearse Lyons Distillery seeks to uphold and maintain the highest standards of sustainable tourism in the areas of environment, community, work culture and visitor experience. Our aim is for our team and visitors to enjoy playing their role in progressing and maintaining a historical visitor attraction with sustainability at its heart. We seek to serve our community through our Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives and to protect our local environment as we facilitate tours to our heritage site.

Our Sustainability Policy

As part of the Alltech family, Pearse Lyons Distillery embraces the Planet of Plenty ethos, working towards the best practices for people, animals, and the environment. This touches on all points of our business from our suppliers through to our visitors and local community.

Our aim is to create unforgettable, engaging visitor experiences through a Leave No Trace code of practice that fits within our Planet of Plenty commitments to the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Our Commitments

As we work towards our official certification by Sustainable Travel Ireland, we have outlined specific areas of focus that align with the Tourism Charter of the Association of Visitor Attractions & Experiences (AVEA):

Local & Economic We will continue to contribute to the local economy by maintaining and supporting local employment, by sourcing services and sustainably produced goods locally and by providing information to customers on other products and services in the local area.

Community We aim to make a positive social impact on visitors and communities through mutually beneficial business collaborations and our CSR initiatives.

Environment We are committed to reducing our use of non-renewables and are working with our suppliers to phase out single use plastics. We are also committed to improving our management of natural resources and reducing our waste and sourcing materials that promote a circular economy. We send our spent grain by-products to be used as animal feed and are boosting the biodiversity of our site by planting seasonal, insect-friendly flowers and shrubs. We also host a beehive on site in the surrounding 800-year-old St. James’s graveyard.

Conservation & Heritage Our buildings and surrounding site are a symbol of our commitment to conserving our natural and built heritage. We respect the natural environment, including habitats and wildlife and are committed to preserving and enhancing it for future generations. Our 19 Century church and town houses are of architectural regional significance and have been sensitively restored to be enjoyed by all.

Storytelling We delight visitors through the authentic interpretation and communication of our stories and the unique history of our site. Not to mention the art of whiskey distillation and maturation.

Ongoing Commitment

We know that sustainability – and, sustainable tourism is not a destination, but a journey. This policy is a living document that will continue to evolve and develop as we progress through our goals.

The late Dr. Pearse Lyons, founder of Pearse Lyons Distillery, Dublin, was honored with a Chairman’s Award by Drinks Ireland | Irish Whiskey on Thursday. He is the first to receive recognition in Ireland and the United States for his outstanding contribution to both the Irish Whiskey and Kentucky bourbon industries.

Outstanding contribution for Irish Whiskey and Kentucky Bourbon

Lyons was recognized by the Irish Whiskey Association for his outstanding contributions to the Irish Whiskey industry during the bi-annual Chairman’s Award ceremony on Nov. 26, 2020. The Chairman’s Award, which acknowledges the leaders and legends of the Irish Whiskey industry and category, accompanies the many other varied achievements Lyons accumulated over the course of his career. This Irish award complements his Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame recognition, which was bestowed upon him in September 2018. Created by the Kentucky Distilling Association in conjunction with the Kentucky Bourbon Festival in 2001, the Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame recognizes individuals and organizations that have made a significant and transformational impact on bourbon’s stature, growth and awareness.

“Pearse would be so honored to receive this recognition,” said Deirdre Lyons, Pearse Lyons’ wife and the co-founder of Alltech. “Although he traveled the world and worked in several industries, his heart was always in distilling. As he raised a glass of whiskey at the opening of Pearse Lyons Distillery in Dublin, Ireland, in August 2017, he was fulfilling a dream that was bigger than himself. A descendant of five generations of Irish coopers, he was furthering his family’s legacy.”

Passion for brewing and distilling

Lyons’ legacy and his contribution to the Irish Whiskey and Kentucky bourbon industries is vast. From his pioneering work on yeast fermentation to developing new distilleries in Kentucky and Ireland, his passion and enthusiasm was evident early in his career.

Raised in Dundalk, Ireland, Lyons hailed from five generations of Irish coopers who made barrels for distilleries across Ireland. At the age of fourteen, Lyons got a job at Harp Brewery, where he got to know the influential brewer Dr. Hermann Muender. This experience led to Lyons working at Guinness during the summer while obtaining his degree in biochemistry. Lyons was the first Irish man to receive a Masters in Brewing and Distilling at the British School of Malting and Brewing, University of Birmingham in 1968. After university, Lyons’ first job was with Irish Distillers, where he was part of the design team that built the Midleton distillery in Cork. 

Moving to Kentucky

In 1976, Lyons and his young family, including son, Mark, and daughter, Aoife, moved to the United States, settling in Kentucky. Ever the visionary, Lyons saw an opportunity to apply his fermentation expertise to provide smarter, more sustainable solutions for agriculture. From the garage of his home, he and Deirdre established Alltech in 1980, which has grown to become a global leader in animal and plant nutrition. Celebrating 40 years this year, Alltech’s reach has grown far beyond yeast-based additives for animal feed to include award-winning beers and spirits, a crop science business and even promising research into human health challenges, such as diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease.

Founding the Alcohol School in Lexington, KY

At the time of Alltech’s founding, Lyons also established The Alcohol School in Lexington, KY, one of the few schools at that time for the distilling industry and ran it for 25 years. He published and co-authored “The Alcohol Textbook,” a text that evolved over four editions and soon became a key source for the beverage, fuel and industrial alcohol industries.

Lexington Brewing and Distilling Co.

As Alltech continued to grow, Lyons maintained his passion for brewing and distilling. In 1999, Lyons — along with his son, Mark — revived the Lexington Brewing Company, restoring the tradition of craft brewing in Kentucky, well ahead of the trend. In 2012, the operation expanded to become the Lexington Brewing & Distilling Co. with the addition of Town Branch, the first new distillery to open in Lexington in more than a century. Built with Kentucky limestone and featuring glass walls to showcase two copper-pot stills, the 20,000-square-foot facility produces Town Branch^® Bourbon, Town Branch^® Rye, Town Branch^® Malt and Pearse Lyons Reserve^®. Lexington Brewing & Distilling Co. is now the largest craft brewery in the state, with an ever-growing following for its flagship brew, Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale^®. This iconic and innovative “beer of bourbon country” was among the first ales to be aged in bourbon barrels and became a top-selling four-pack of beer in the United States.

Pearse Lyons Distillery, Dublin

In 2012, a long-held dream to open a distillery in Ireland began to take shape when Lyons and his wife Deirdre discovered St. James’ Church in the Liberties district of Dublin. They were drawn to its location and rich history, which includes a connection to the Lyons family and their Irish ancestry. The historic church had been deconsecrated since 1964, but the Lyonses could see the possibilities amidst the dilapidation. Deirdre, who oversees corporate image and design at Alltech, took on the complicated, multi-year restoration and renovation project with fervor, meticulously managing every detail of the process. Lyons, with his great foresight saw the need to begin distilling whiskey before the distillery doors opened. Two copper Vendome pots stills were shipped to Carlow Brewing Company in February that year, where they were commissioned before being placed into their forever home at Pearse Lyons Distillery in 2016. The distillery opened its doors in 2017 and produces a line of award-winning Irish Whiskeys, including an innovative single malt. The five-year whiskey was the first to be produced by a new distillery in Ireland in more than 25 years, marking a historic milestone in the re-evolution of the Irish Whiskey industry. Pearse Lyons Distillery was awarded Dublin’s Best Visitor Experience in 2019 and was bestowed a Travelers’ Choice Award in 2020. The distillery is recognized in the top 100 attractions in the world by Tripadvisor.

Dueling Barrels, Pikeville, Kentucky

Following the successes of Lexington Brewing & Distilling Co. and Pearse Lyons Distillery, Lyons along with his wife Deirdre set about creating a similar venture in Pikeville, Kentucky. Nestled deep in the Appalachian foothills sits their third venture in brewing and distilling: Dueling Barrels Brewery & Distillery. The distillery and brewery were designed to initiate tourism and generate jobs in the region. Though Lyons passed in March 2018, his wife Deirdre completed the three-year project with her team to open doors in June that year.

“My father’s legacy and passion are reflected in our family of breweries and distilleries as well as the craft of countless brewers and distillers that he helped to educate and inspire,” said Dr. Mark Lyons, president and CEO of Alltech. “He was an Irishman who chose Kentucky as a second home, so it is truly special to see him recognized in both Ireland and Kentucky for his significant contributions to the whiskey industry.”

Pearse Lyons Distillery is proud to be Dublin’s only family run independent distillery. Located in the refurbished St. James’ Church on James’s St. Dublin 8, our distillers bring you thhttp://www.pearselyonsdistillery.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/PEARSE_LYONS_CHRISTMAS-CATALOGUE2020_WEB.pdfeir selection of multi-award winning Pearse Irish Whiskey, Ha’penny Dublin Gin and of course our elegant Mediterranean Míl Gin.

The closure of our Visitor Centre due to Covid-19 has allowed us time to seek out like minded local Irish producers to bring you the finest locally sourced artisan Christmas hampers.

Something for Everyone

Whether it’s a corporate gift for a client or a thank you for a staff member or friend, our Irish artisan Christmas Hampers feature something for everyone: Exclusive Pearse Irish Whiskeys and Gins chosen by our Distillers; treats that can be savoured and shared with the whole family from Sheridans Cheese, Kish Fish, Dublin Cookie Co.; Bean and Goose Chocolates and Pompous Pantry bakes. Cloud Picker Coffee will also create the perfect Christmas morning pick-me-up!

Click and Collect or Order Online

Each item can be purchased through our online store where you can select an option to Click-and-Collect or have it delivered to your door. We hope you enjoy our locally inspired Christmas Hamper offering, which you can view by clicking here. If it’s a bottle of award wining Pearse Irish Whiskey, Ha’penny Gin or Míl Gin, our new online store will open in a couple of days, which allows you to ship internationally.

If you would like further information on our Christmas gifting or hamper options, please contact us on +353 (0)1 691 6000 or email info@pearselyonsdistillery.com.

Having closed our doors on March 12, 2020 due to Covid-19 restrictions, we were delighted to re-open our doors to the public on Monday, July 20 for whiskey tours and tastings experiences.

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Although our doors were closed to the public, our team continued to work tirelessly in the background. Our distillers continued to distill new make spirit, while our sales team supplied an abundance of hand sanitiser to local hospitals, businesses, and food shelters in the greater Dublin area.

In recent weeks, our focus changed to reopening Pearse Lyons Distillery to the public. Our team have designed a simple icon diagram to show visitors how we aim to keep everyone safe, while enjoying and experiencing our unique whiskey distillery.

How we aim to keep visitors safe at Pearse Lyons Distillery

• Pre-booking online and queuing system: All tickets can be purchased in advance of your tour. Visitors with pre-booked tickets will use our fast-pass system.
• Smaller and more frequent tours: We’ve reduced the capacity of our tours and increased our availability. Tours operate every 30-minute and last approximately one hour.
• Personal Storyteller: Each tour will have a personal storyteller who will help you discover the fascinating history and guide you through the whiskey tasting process. This ensures visitors are not meeting various people throughout their experience.
• Face Coverings: Our entire team will be wearing a face covering and we request that visitors also wear a face covering. If you forget your face covering, not to worry; we have disposable face coverings available at reception.
• Hand Sanitiser Stations: There are several hand sanitising stations through the site, with one at every entry and exit point.
• Multiple Tasting Areas: We have created a number of tasting areas where guests can enjoy their Pearse Irish Whiskey tasting while socially distancing in comfort.
• Screens at Reception: There are safety screens at reception for the protection of staff and customers.
• Signage and One-Way System: We have signage guiding visitors throughout the site and have put in place a one-way system to ensure everyone’s safety.
• Contactless Payments: We have contactless payments in place across the site. Any payment under €70 can be processed through contactless.
• Thermal Checks for Staff: Staff temperatures are checked daily before entering the distillery.
• Cleaning Schedule: We have put a vigorous cleaning schedule in place where areas are sanitised every 30-minutes.
• Fresh Air Extracts: We have increased the fresh air supply in our visitor centre.

Fáilte Ireland Covid-19 Safety Charter Certified

Our passionate team of Storytellers and Brand Ambassadors have completed the Irish Government approved Failte Ireland COVID-19 Safety Charter to ensure visitors are safe throughout their experience with us. Pearse Lyons Distillery is now a certified attraction.

We recommend booking in advance to secure a place on our tours, however if you wish to stop by, we are happy to welcome you on our next available tour. Following government protocols, we will ask you for a personal contact number to facilitate contact tracing.

We are delighted to re-open Pearse Lyons Distillery and we ask that guests assist us with our new Covid-19 safety measures. If for some reason you are not feeling well in advance of your booking with us, please let us know and we can postpone or cancel the booking for you.

We look forward to your visit and raising a glass to the beautiful craft of Pearse Irish Whiskey and the heritage of St. James’s Church that houses our unique working distillery in Dublin 8.

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