Belfast Distillery Company to create distillery and visitor centre in famed Crumlin Road Gaol

Belfast Distillery Company CEO John Kelly (second from right) pictured with Northern Ireland Government Ministers at the major launch

Belfast Distillery Company has invested £22.3 million (US$27 million) in a new J&J McConnell’s Distillery and Visitor Centre at Crumlin Road Gaol.

The investment includes plans to regenerate the A Wing of the Gaol into the J&J McConnell’s Distillery, build a world-class visitor experience and create 49 new jobs.

The distillery will be transformed from the historic Belfast building and will extend over three floors. It will offer 1,000sq m of distilling floor-space and 1,700sq m for the visitor centre, with plans to host over 100,000 visitors each year. Visitor experiences will include whiskey tours, cocktail masterclasses, a tasting bar and shop.

Belfast Distillery Company CEO John Kelly said: “We launched McConnell’s Irish Whisky in 2020 and we have already achieved significant success in the US, Canada, Europe, Australia and China. In our home market, we are having great success with our product to date, experiencing significant support from our trade partners in hospitality and retail sectors.

“The J&J McConnell’s Distillery and Visitor Experience will become the home of our brand and will help us to take our business to the next level in the global whiskey market. The support we have received from across government has been vital to making this ambition a reality for us.

“We are truly delighted to be developing our distillery in north Belfast and look forward to working with and supporting our local community with employment opportunities. We look forward to helping our great city grow and develop in the years ahead.”

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