A remote Gaeltacht distillery scored a historic first yesterday when Castlebar District Court granted it a licence to sell its product to the general public.

Lough Mask Distillery, based in the Tourmakeady Gaeltacht on the shores of Lough Mask in County Mayo, is the first whiskey distillery in Ireland to be granted a licence to sell its premium gin, vodka, and whiskey under The Intoxicating Liquor (Breweries and Distilleries) Act 2018.  

The distillery began operations in July of this year and won a devoted following for its small batch of craft spirits, in particular their speciality Loch Measc gin.

Premium

The distillery receives many visitors who will now be able to buy the premium product onsite.

Granting permission, Judge Fiona Lydon congratulated solicitor Helena Boylan, Westport, who acted for Lough Mask Distillery, for the thoroughness of the licensing application.

Lough Mask Distillery is one of the first enterprises in the country to take advantage of new legislation which allows craft brewers and distillers to sell alcohol during business hours.

Staff

Director Dominic Hannigan told the court that the distillery has five full-time staff and one part-time employee.

Seven hundred people visited the micro-distillery in its first six months in operation.

There were no garda objections to the application.