Pearse Lyons

Lyons was born and raised in Dundalk, County Louth. He graduated from University College Dublin (UCD) with a first class honours degree in biochemistry. He worked in Harp Lager in Dundalk while at college. Lyons also graduated with a Master of Science in Brewing Science from the British School of Malting and Brewing (now the School of Biochemistry), University of Birmingham in 1968. In 1971 Lyons received a PhD Biochemistry, also from the University of Birmingham. He later started an MBA at UCD, but didn't complete it. He moved to Irish Distillers, which he described as his 'dream job'.

Lyons received an Honorary Doctorate from Heriot-Watt University in 2004.

Lyons met Deirdre Byrne when he was 17 and they were married in 1972. They had a daughter, Aoife, in 1973 and a son, Mark, in 1977.

In 2012, Lyons’ wealth was estimated to be in the region of €1.5bn and according to the Sunday Times Rich List he was the sixth richest Irish person.

Lyons authored more than 20 books and many research papers for scientific journals.

Lyons was named Business Person of the Year in 2012 by Business and Finance in Ireland. Also in 2012, Lyons received the Ireland-US Council's Award for Outstanding Achievement for strengthening economic ties between the United States and Ireland.

Lyons died on March 8, 2018, after which his son Mark took on the roles of President and chairman at Alltech. His daughter Aoife Lyons, Alltech's director of educational initiatives and engagement, died on April 18, 2019.