Tullamore gets centre go-ahead

Planning permission has been granted to develop a multi-million euro tourist attraction at the Tullamore Dew Heritage Centre, in Tullamore, Offaly.

The centre will open this summer and it is expected to attract up to 40,000 visitors annually. The owners of Tullamore Dew, William Grant and Sons, have previously developed world-leading visitor centres in Scotland for Glenfiddich and The Balvenie single malts among the most popular attractions in the country.

Tullamore Dew global brand director Shane Hoyne said: “The redevelopment of our visitor centre into a premium tourist destination for Tullamore and the Midlands will attract visitors from around the world who wish to engage with the whiskey they love. This will be a best in class facility which will combine the best modern technology whilst restoring the original, authentic features of this historic building. It will be a true home for Tullamore Dew.”

The plans for the centre maximise the unique canal-side location and its heritage as the more than 100-year-old bonded warehouse for Tullamore Dew.

As part of a wider redevelopment of the area by Tullamore Town Council, visitors will approach the new centre along a canal-side boardwalk from which they enter a reclaimed and renovated vintage barge which will house the ticket office and a presentation on the local history of the canal produced in association with Waterways Ireland.

The centre, designed by Glasgow-based Surface-id and Kenny Lyons Architects of Tullamore Town draws huge inspiration from the original distillery and takes visitors through the process of creating Tullamore Dew and the heritage of the brand, with plenty of opportunities to taste, smell and feel the various stages of production.

The centre will also have meeting and function rooms to host visiting trade and media delegations.