Distilling has re-emerged as one of the north’s most innovative, dynamic, and export-driven industries, the economy minister has said.
Conor Murphy was speaking on Wednesday as the McConnell’s Distillery and visitor experience was officially opened by five executive ministers in the former A-wing of Crumlin Road Gaol.
First Minister Michelle O’Neill, Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly, Infrastructure Minister John O’Dowd, Communities Minister Gordon Lyons and US Special Economic Envoy Joe Kennedy, were part of the high-level political delegation present for the event.
Financed by private investment, with backing from Invest NI and Santander, the redevelopment project is part of a £30m investment in Belfast Distillery Company’s revival of the 250-year-old McConnell’s Irish Whisky brand.
Alongside the new tourism experience, three new pot stills have been installed inside the former prison, capable of producing 500,000 litres of pure alcohol (LPA) per year, making north Belfast distillery one of the biggest spirit operations in Northern Ireland.
Addressing the media on Wednesday from the top floor of the former A-wing, Conor Murphy acknowledged he had been a former resident of the prison, which officially closed in 1996.
He said in many ways, the transformation of the prison wing into a £12m working whiskey distillery and tourist attraction epitomised the transformation of northern society.
“McConnell’s has identified the opportunity the north presents as an exciting investment opportunity,” he said.
“They have created this beautiful new distillery and visitor experience as an innovative export focused business, producing a quality product at a venue that will attract and entertain tourists, along with creating a range of jobs in an area that has suffered from under-investment.”
First Minister Michelle O’Neill described the new distillery as “a remarkable story of imagination, innovation and determination”.
“I want to ensure this is a place where entrepreneurs can thrive and where people can come and work in first class facilities such as we see here today,” she said.
Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly said: “It’s a great example of government departments working together with the private sector to deliver.”
