It has been announced that Pat Cooney, formerly of the Gleeson Group, will lead a project to build a new distillery and visitors' centre in Drogheda, Co. Louth.
€20m will be invested in the Boann Distillery and it is due to employ 80 people when it opens in 2016.
The site will house a working distillery, and the Boyne Brewhouse craft brewery and taproom. The 50,000sq foot building will produce whiskey, gin and a range of craft beers aimed at both domestic and foreign markets.
The town was home to 18 distilleries in the early 19th century, but last of them closed in 1968.
Richard Bruton, Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation welcomed the new venture: "Today's announcement of 80 new jobs in Drogheda is a great boost for the town and the wider North-East region.
"Investments by Irish businesses have a massive knock-on impact on the local economy, through construction, supply and
service businesses."
Julie Sinnamon, the CEO of Enterprise Ireland said that she and her colleagues had been working with Boann, and that they are excited about the project:
"This is an ambitious and highly innovative company, with great potential to scale and grow rapidly in international markets from its base in Drogheda."
