Bono distillery in Kildare aims for completion

A €50M distillery and visitor centre backed by Bono in Monasterevin has applied to retain and amend the original seven-year-old permission on the partially completed premises.

The Church of Oak Distillery at the 224-year-old Ballykelly Mills between the Grand Canal and the Brook Stream was originally granted permission in 2019.

However, completion then was held up by the pandemic, and this permission was then formally extended in October 2024 by which time over 60 per cent of the work had been completed.

This week’s application hopes to extend an existing café and takeaway, a new kitchen, bakery stores, staff facilities, the addition of a small serving kiosk, and the construction of an enclosure around the distiller’s desk.

Other minor amendments include changes to the bicycle park, canal access, and the conversion of a store into a blending room.

“They’ve been distilling there for five years now, but they’ve been working in the building over this time and getting used to it,” said local representative Cllr Kevin Duffy.

“Like I’ve said before, this is one of the biggest developments in Monasterevin for centuries.

“It’s such a significant development in the town to get such a large employer come to Monasterevin.

“I believe there are about 15 people employed there at the moment, but more jobs will come on stream as the café and visitor centre come online.” 

The plan on the 2.1Ha site – which has been in the works for nearly eight years now – is being driven by Northern Irish businessman Paddy McKillen (71) whose portfolio includes Claridges and The Connaught in London and will totally rejuvenate the protected canalside structure.

The U2 frontman is believed to be a major investor and is hoping to exploit a double-digit growth sector so recently beloved of such celebrity investors as Henry Mouncharles, George Clooney and Conor McGregor.

The mill was previously owned and operated by the Cassidy family, who made whiskey there from 1784 until 1921.

The 5,100 sqm development on a 2.1Ha site includes provision for the distillery, tasting rooms, visitor centre, café and exhibition spaces.

The application was lodged by McKillen’s Jewelfield Ltd investment vehicle.

“We’re restoring a beautiful 200-year-old mill and reviving Monasterevin’s rich heritage in producing the finest whiskey going right back to the 18th century,” Mr McKillen has said.

“We have assembled an amazing team of world leading experts, and we will produce a world class product. We’re investing €50m into this initial phase, which is the start of a long-term strategy. 

"It fits very well with our existing hospitality businesses and the great global interest in Irish whiskey over the past number of years,” he added.

Mr McKillen senior is said by his spokesperson to be “very excited” about the planned whiskey distillery, which follows on from his development of the Château la Coste winery in Provence, now the biggest biodynamic vineyard in France.

The proposed Monasterevin distillery is one of 15 in the planning stages, under construction, or recently launched in Ireland, according to the Irish Whiskey Association.

A decision on this week’s application is expected before Christmas with some local speculation that it could open sometime next year if successful.