The event marks the return of whiskey production to Tullamore 60 years after the original distillery closed its doors and this is the first new distillery to be constructed on a greenfield site in Ireland in over 100 years.

Located on a 58-acre site in Clonminch on the outskirts of Tullamore, the Distillery draws on natural spring water from the Slieve Bloom Mountains and will be capable of producing the equivalent of 1.5 million cases of Tullamore Dew a year.

The distillery was built to meet the growing international demand for Tullamore D.E.W. which is now the second largest Irish whiskey in the world. Stella David, chief executive of William Grant & Sons said, “We are delighted to celebrate the opening of Tullamore Distillery. This new facility will secure our future production demands for the rest of the century as Irish whiskey embarks on its most exciting chapter yet. Distilling began in Tullamore 185 years ago and this is a significant day for both the town and Tullamore D.E.W. as the opportunities now open to the category are unprecedented. We are committed to Tullamore Dew and are focused on building the brand and investing for the long-term.”

“This new facility will secure our future production demands for the rest of the century as Irish whiskey embarks on its most exciting chapter yet,” said Stella David, chief executive of William Grant & Sons.