 Following a hostile takeover attempt from Grand Metropolitan, Allied-Lyons and Guinness, Irish distillers was the subject of a white knight takeover by Pernod Ricard in June 1988.In 2005, Bushmills was sold to rival drinks giant Diageo for £200 million.In addition, in 2016, the Paddy Irish whiskey brand was sold to Sazerac, though as part of the sale agreement, production of the whiskey is to continue at the Midleton Distillery.