West Donegal is to get a new whiskey distillery as well as the welcome boost of up to 12 new jobs.
The Board of Údarás na Gaeltachta approved a support package for Drioglann Thír Chonaill Teo. to establish a distillery business and to develop a visitors centre at Coillín Darach, in Crolly.
The new distillery is on the site of the old Crolly doll factory which ceased production of the famous dolls in the 1970s.
It is estimated the new jobs will be created over the next five years with a support package of over €121,000 from Údarás na Gaeltachta and a total investment of over €271,000.
Up to €1 million will be invested in renovating the building with the first whiskey expected to come out of the plant in three years time.
The proposed project is for a craft distillery which will be focussed on the international tourism market coming to Donegal.
The proposed distillery and visitors centre will be located in the famous Croithlí Factory, subject to the appropriate planning permission being received, and significant renovation works will be required on the building to bring it to the appropriate standard and to adapt it for lease to the project.
The distillery and the visitors centre will add significantly to the Wild Atlantic Way tourism experience in the Donegal Gaeltacht.
Seosamh Ó Duibheannaigh, Conor McMenamin and Kieran Davis are the project promoters and intend to start on a small scale, focus on the tourist industry and the international whiskey market.
It is intended to develop the distillery on a phased basis over a period of time commencing with a production centre and hope to produce over 15,000 litres of alcohol annually for the first 5 years in order to develop a high-quality product.
Údarás na Gaeltachta Chief Executive, Mícheál Ó hÉanaigh said “We are very happy to be able to support this project and to have jobs back in the famous Croithlí factory again. This development will be a valuable asset for the tourism product and experience in the Donegal Gaeltacht.”
Local Deputy Pat the Cope Gallagher said this is welcome news and the development offers great potential for the area and job creation for west Donegal.
He wished those involved in the new project every success.
He said “This distillery project ticks all the boxes – it provides a product in an ever growing market of whiskey production, it is utilising an iconic building for a new purpose and it is creating employment in a rural area and provides for further tourism diversity along the Wild Atlantic Way. This is a good news story for west Donegal and the entire county.”
Tags:
