MOVES to re-establish whiskey production in Derry have taken a step forward after the city’s council granted planning permission for a new distillery on the former Ebrington Barracks site.
Derry City & Strabane council gave the go-ahead to convert four buildings, including the barrack jail and guardhouse, into a distillery.
And the company behind the move, Niche Drinks, hope the first distillations will take place early next year at the new Quiet Man Craft Distillery at Ebrington.
Niche managing director Ciaran Mulgrew said the company’s £12 million investment in the project would lead to the creation of 35 jobs.
Niche - which currently employs 65 people in Derry and uses 25 per cent of all milk produced in the north west – is the manufacturer of Irish Cream Liqueurs.
Once home to three separate distilleries, including Tyrconnell, whiskey production eventually ceased in the early part of the last century.
The new Quiet Man craft distillery will include a distillery mash house, a visitors’ exhibition area, boardroom, tasting area, shop and café and bar.
Mr Mulgrew said: “We intend to build a top class visitor centre at the distillery, focussing on Derry’s long history as an Irish whiskey producing city.
"This will be a major attraction for the city and the renewed interest in Irish whiskey and whiskey tourism will give the city a boost.”
He said the project had been in the planning stage for some time.
“We can press on now and arrange delivery dates for the stills and other key pieces of equipment. A lot of preparation has been done and we are aiming for the first distillations to take place in early 2018,” he said.
Head of the council's planning committee John Boyle said the distillery and visitor centre would help transform the Ebrington Square site.
“This proposal is an important development that will enhance and regenerate a listed building that forms part of a key cluster of landmark buildings and spaces that are significant to our built heritage in our city,” the SDLP councillor said.
Council members from all parties have welcomed the development.
