A proposal to develop a new Irish whiskey distillery and visitor attraction in Cushendall has been formally approved.
The application for the Glens of Antrim Distillery project was first launched by the McKillop family in December 2020.
Their proposal centres on a new distillery and tourist visitor centre on Gortaclee Road, next to the Ruairí Óg’s hurling and camogie club.
After a protracted period in the planning system, Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council’s planning committee formally approved the application on Wednesday.
The committee had considered a report from council planning officials which recommended the distillery and tourism project be given the green light.
While the proposal had attracted a number of letters of objection, the McKillop family were able to present a petition with dozens of locals backing their plans.
DUP MP Sammy Wilson and Alliance MLA Danny Donnelly also lent their support to the venture, alongside well known business figures in Cushendall.
Planning officials concluded: “It is considered that there will be no unacceptable impacts on existing properties from noise, odour, overlooking, loss of light or overshadowing. Approval is recommended.”
The McKillop family, best known for the Glens of Antrim potato and crisp operation in Cushendall, launched their own Lír Irish Whiskey brand in 2016.
The company completed its first shipment to the United States in July 2023, exporting 7,000 bottles of its Lír Green Crest Irish whiskey into the American market.
They’re expected to shortly commence work on the new Cushendall development.
