William Grant & Sons today announced it would invest €35 million in a new distillery at Tullamore to meet the future growth demands of Tullamore DEW. Tullamore DEW is the world's second largest Irish whiskey brand, almost doubling worldwide sales to almost 700,000 cases since 2005. Pictured

New whiskey distillery confirmed for Tullamore

Whiskey distilling is to become part of Tullamore once more after news this week that William Grant and Sons is to invest €35m in a state-of the-art pot still whiskey and malt whiskey distillery in the town. The project, set to begin later this year pending planning permission, will see the production of Tullamore Dew return home for the first time since the original distillery closed in 1954. Owner of the Tullamore Dew brand William Grant and Sons is in the final stages of negotiating the purchase of a 58 acre site at Clonminch for the distillery, which will be supplied by spring water from the Slieve Blooms. The project is expected to create something in the region of 100 construction jobs during its two-year building phase and will increase the numbers employed by the company in Tullamore, including at a new visitor facility at Bury Quay due to re-open in September, to approximately 25. Chief Executive of William Grant and Sons Stella David this week said the investment underpins the company's long term commitment to Tullamore and represents the next step in the Tullamore Dew brand's long-term growth. Global Brand Director Shane Hoyne said the move will establish a "real and emotional home" for the brand. "This is a dream come true for the brand and its fans around the world and I am sure Daniel E Williams, whose name our whiskey bears, will be looking down proudly seeing whiskey production resume in the town he loved," he added. Meanwhile local reaction to the plans announced on Wednesday was extremely positive. County Manager Pat Gallagher said Offaly County Council is both pleased and proud to welcome Tullamore Dew home and that he looks forward to "the first liquid flowing from the stills". Cathaoirleach of Offaly County Council Danny Owens looked forward to the benefits the project will have for business and employment in Tullamore, while Cathaoirleach of Tullamore Town Council Sinead Dooley noted tourism opportunities that will exist for hotel and service providers in both Tullamore and the wider county. Tullamore town councillor Brendan Killeavy echoed the same sentiments, welcoming the whiskey back to its birthplace. "Whiskey drinkers love to see where their favourite drink actually comes from and the whole process of how it's made, so bringing Tullamore Dew back to the town will also bring in tourists of that kind," he said. "In fact, the Bushmills Visitor's Centre in Antrim hosts over 100,000 tourists a year," he continued. Fianna Fail TD Barry Cowen also welcomed the move and congratulated William Grant and Sons "for taking such an exciting and logical step".