Whiskey distillery to create 80 new jobs

This is the first distillery in the Co Louth town in almost 50 years, despite the fact that it was once home to 18 local operations.

The new €20m 'Boann Distillery and Visitor Centre' will open in the heart of the Boyne Valley early next year, creating up to 80 jobs and employing an additional 30 during construction.

Pat Cooney, CEO of the project, hopes the business will become one of the country's "leading independent distilleries and craft brewery initiatives".

The 50,000sq ft centre will include a whiskey distillery, craft brewery and taproom.

It will also offer tours, a 120-seater restaurant, whiskey bar, event space and gift shop. Planned products include craft whiskies, gin and craft beers for both the domestic and export market.

Renowned distiller John McDougall will work as a consultant with head distiller Áine O'Hora. They will be under the watchful eye of Mr Cooney, his wife Marie and their four children, who have a "long tradition in the Irish drinks industry".

Mr Cooney worked with Gleeson Group for almost 40 years, and part of the business was sold to C&C in 2012.

"To be able to realise this ambition, with the encouragement and participation of my wife and family, is a great bonus and to be able to establish this project in this super building in my home town is a multiple bonus," Mr Cooney said.

Jobs Minister Richard Bruton said Boann Distillery operates at the cutting edge of its sector.