Midleton attraction set for €13m transformation
€13m is set to be invested in Midleton with the aim of improving what is already a major tourist destination.
This week Irish Distillers announced details of the investment plan which will see the immediate redevelopment of its distillery experience at Midleton Distillery transforming it into a world-class whiskey destination.
As part of the plan, the existing attraction will be changed to accommodate new and interactive whiskey tours and various tasting experiences, offering visitors the opportunity to explore more about the past, present and future of Irish whiskey production at Midleton Distillery.
The redevelopment will also deliver state-of-the-art new shopping, bar, café and restaurant facilities.
It will remain open during construction, as an alternative purpose-built Irish whiskey attraction will continue to welcome visitors. Construction will commence immediately and is expected to be completed by 2025, in time to mark the 200 year anniversary of Midleton Distillery.
Conor McQuaid, Chairman and CEO said: “Over the past 30 years, Midleton Distillery has become synonymous with Irish whiskey tourism, welcoming more than three million visitors from countries all over the world to our home in East Cork.
“Our ambition is to deliver an exceptional, world-class experiential offering which will bring whiskey lovers closer to the production process than ever before,” he said.
“These exciting plans will ensure that the distillery experience offers visitors a unique insight into the whiskeys produced at Midleton Distillery in exceptionally beautiful and engaging surroundings. We are confident that we can further build upon the appeal of Midleton Distillery for both domestic and international visitors, cementing its position as one of the top tourism attractions in Ireland while supporting jobs and economic growth in the East Cork region.”
“As we are committed to preserving and maintaining the beauty of the original distillery buildings, many of which date back to 1794, our redevelopment plan is centred around the conservation and restoration of existing structures, while transforming our visitor attraction to accommodate new and interactive whiskey tours and exciting tasting experiences,” he concluded.
Every element of the redevelopment has been planned with sustainability and efficiency in mind.
The new visitor experience will feature a specially designed heat recovery system, meaning that excess energy from the production of world-renowned Irish whiskeys onsite in Midleton will be used to heat the buildings.
The introduction of the heat recovery system is predicted to reduce carbon emissions by nearly 200,000kgs of CO2 per year, in line with Irish Distillers’ sustainability goals.
Additionally, the switch to LED lighting throughout– close to 1,000 bulbs – will ensure a reduction in electricity consumption of +90 per cent compared to existing usage.
New York-headquartered Ralph Appelbaum Associates, who have specialist experience in the planning and design of cultural attractions around the world, will lead the design of the redevelopment project.
PJ Hegarty & Sons have been appointed as conservation and construction contractor.
Midleton Distillery is home to some of the world’s most well-known and successful Irish whiskeys, including Jameson, Powers, Redbreast, Midleton Very Rare, the Spot family and Method and Madness, as well as the Irish Whiskey Academy, Irish Distillers’ Archive and the Micro Distillery.