Sliabh Liag Distillery

Formed in 2014, Sliabh Liag Distillery is the culmination of two separate visions to build a distillery within sight of the cliffs of Sliabh Liag. Both plans began quite separately, 1000's of miles apart, but with similar aims to build a whiskey business and enhance opportunity, employment and tourism on the Sliabh Liag peninsula. James and Moira Doherty, having already produced well-advanced designs for a portfolio of super premium spirits, including brands which they named 'The Silkie" and "An Dúlamán", had discussions with Údarás Na Gaeltachta and, with 20 years of experience in the drinks industry behind them, brought their family home to Straleel to build a distillery. Meanwhile, developing an idea first proposed by Mick McGinley to the Lárcomhairle Paróiste Ghleancholmcille (the Parish Council) to build a distillery for the area, local businesswoman Margaret Cunningham identified a site, agreed an investment by Údarás Na Gaeltachta and brought together a team which included Oliver Hughes and James Keith. The two teams met and, following agreement on the use of a single site known locally as the "Bull Field", they joined forces. During 2015 and 2016, the designs for the new distillery were developed. The Silkie was launched and the Gin still was acquired and located in a temporary site outside Carrick. Sadly, Oliver Hughes died in 2016, but his wife Helen Stacey remains committed to the Distillery and is represented by their son Elliot. Margaret Cunningham has since sold her shareholding interest in the Company to James Doherty and the current holders of the Founders' Shares are James Doherty, Moira Doherty, James Keith and Helen Stacey. Full planning permission for the Sliabh Liag Distillery was granted for the 20 acre Bull Field site on the banks of the Abhain Bhuí (Yellow River) in 2017. The buildings are designed to use traditional architectural forms and materials and the distillery will initially comprise the still house and first barrel store. A later phase will see the development of a visitor centre, a relocated An Dúlamán Gin distillery and a Poitín museum. Based on a bedrock of distribution in Donegal, the first exports of the Silkie have commenced and the Gin distillery is now fully commissioned and ready for production in June 2017.