American private equity firm The Carlyle Group has invested in Irish gourmet chocolate maker Lily O'Brien's. The financial terms of the said transaction were not disclosed, according to Arabian Business.

The investment is a first for Carlyle Cardinal Ireland (CCI). The company is the Ireland-based private equity fund established by Cardinal Capital Group and The Carlyle Group, the report noted.

Lily O'Brien's was founded in 1992 by Irish businesswoman Mary Ann O'Brien in her kitchen in Kildare. She has grown the company into a global brand with 260 employees. At present, the firm makes premium chocolates and desserts marketed in 16 countries, the report detailed.

CCI managing director Robert Easton said of the deal: "Lily O'Brien's is a great example of an Irish business with a world-class reputation. We are delighted to join the founder and management team to continue to grow the business. Our investment will help Lily O'Brien's takes their chocolates and desserts to an even wider audience of consumers around the world."