After an €8m investment in its new facility, Clonakilty Distillery has announced the creation of over 30 new jobs for West Cork.
AFTER an €8m investment in its new facility, Clonakilty Distillery has announced the creation of over 30 new jobs for West Cork.
Michael Scully, founder of Clonakilty Distillery told The Southern Star that he is delighted to be setting up his new company’s headquarters in his home town.
Based at The Waterfront, the facility comprises a working distillery, shop and restaurant and will open on December 8th.
‘We will have 15 permanent and 20 part-time local people working with us at the new facility,’ Michael said. Positions they are looking to fill include an assistant head distiller, and restaurant staff both front of house and kitchen for the Whale’sTail Bistro and café.
Michael added: ‘We will also need retail staff for our shop and we are looking for tour guides to show visitors around the distillery.’
Michael is eager to show visitors the day to day running of the distillery where they will produce their Minke Irish Gin and Clonakilty single pot still whiskey.
While the multi-million euro facility has been designed with the visitor in mind, Michael is quick to point out that it is first and foremost a working distillery.
‘This is not solely a tourist attraction, we will have a working distillery here in Clon,’ Michael, whose family have farmed in the area for eight generations said. ‘It will be very touchy-feely so the visitors will be able to get up close to the ingredients and to the distilling process. We are not going to have a museum here, but visitors will be able to see a distillery producing Irish gin and whiskey for the national and international market.’
The new facility, which is situated at The Waterfront, will also highlight the brewing history of Clonakilty and indeed the vibrant smuggling trade that was carried on for many years.
‘Lot of people don’t know about this part of Clon’s history,’ Michael said. ‘We have a cinema where people can get an introduction to our brand and the links we have between Clon, Galley Head and the surrounding area.
‘We believe in Clonakilty. You couldn’t wish for a better location for a distillery, we’ll have parking for 70 cars and two coach buses and we are looking forward to opening our doors to the people of West Cork and beyond on Saturday December 8th’.
