The former grain mill distillery building in the centre of Tullamore (pic: NIAH)

Redevelopment of historic Tullamore site gets green light

Offaly County Council has given the green light for a plan to redevelop the historic grain mill distillery building in the centre of Tullamore into a mixed-use project comprising of four retail units and 18 apartments.

The protected structure, which dates back to the 1820s and was the original home of the world-famous Tullamore DEW whiskey label, is located in the Waterlane area of the town, in close proximity to both Main Street and the Bridge Shopping Centre.

Offaly County Council has granted planning permission to the developers, Ravine Ltd., for the redevelopment project subject to 18 conditions.

Although the bulk of the former distillery building was demolished in 1995 to make way for the construction of the Bridge Shopping Centre, the portion that remains is listed as a protected structure, and is listed on the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage (NIAH) website as being "important socially, architecturally and technically and plays an important role in Tullamore’s heritage."

As part of the redevelopment project, Ravine Ltd is planning to salvage an "industrial archaeological sculpture" from the grain mill building and put it on display, but has stated it "unsure of the current condition of any of the industrial items" until the building, which is in an extensive state of dilapidation, is safe to access.

The developer is also proposing to create "a visual connection" between the public realm and Tullamore river by making an opening in the existing stone wall which acts as a boundary between the grain mill and the river and constructing "a glass aluminium railing" and a timber decking raised boardwalk down the side of the river.