FDBusiness.com

The first distillery in County Donegal in 174 years – the Sliabh Liag Distillery – is to be constructed on the slopes of the Sliabh Liag sea cliffs. Welcoming the news, Miriam Mooney, head of the Irish Whiskey Association, comments: “The revival of the Irish whiskey industry is being felt across the island of Ireland and I’m delighted to hear of plans by James Doherty and Margaret Cunningham to open Donegal’s first distillery for 174 years, Siabh Liag Distillery. The company has launched its first brand, ‘The Silkie’, a blended Irish whiskey. The announcement is another sign that the Irish Whiskey industry is moving confidently towards double digit export growth by 2020. With the Irish whiskey industry exporting to 77 countries, great Irish brands like this will continue to be experienced through our high quality whiskey products.”

According to Bord Bia (Irish Food Board), the best performing category in terms of Irish food and drink exports growth was the beverage sector, largely driven by sustained growth in exports of Irish whiskey, which recorded export growth of 18% last year. Annual exports of Irish whiskey are now worth over €300 million, up 220% since 2003. Exports are set to double by 2020 and double again by 2030. Irish whiskey’s global market share is expected to grow by 300% by 2030 from 4% to 12%.

Irish whiskey industry is projecting: employment to grow by 30% by 2025, from 5000 to 6500 people, and whiskey tourism to increase from 600,00 visitors per annum to 800,000 in the medium term.