BREAKING: Plans lodged for pioneering whiskey distillery in Kilkenny

A planning application has been lodged by Rosebrack Ltd for a 'barley to bottle' whiskey distillery at Castletown Cox Estate in County Kilkenny.

According to planning documentation submitted to Kilkenny County Council, the proposed development 'is a personal private project for Castletown Cox Estate and is not a commercial enterprise'.

The documentation further notes: "The Castletown Cox Estate has a unique concept for the production of its own Irish whiskey from barley to bottle.

"The barley will be grown on the Castletown Cox Estate and harvested there. The harvested barley will be malted in a malting house adjacent to the distillery building. The malted barley will be germinated and fermented in the brew house, before being triple distilled in the still house and casked in oak barrels.

"The whiskey will be stored in the oak casks until it has reached the required maturity and it will then be bottled and labeled, identifying their origin in the Castletown Cox Estate.

"Castletown Cox will then become the only distillery in Ireland where every step of the process from barley to bottle will be carried out on the same site. It is not intended to sell the whiskey commercially.

"This process underpins sustainability principles and the circular economy minimising waste, transport demands and optimising use of natural on site agricultural resources and vacant buildings and reducing the environmental impact.

"It revives the traditional art of whiskey making. The conservation approach ensures the overall footprint of the historic buildings will not change as a result of the construction of the distillery, and, with the exception of the brew house, their outward appearance will remain as they have always been."

The description of the development is set out in the public notices as follows:

1. Restoration and conservation and refurbishment works to six existing farm out-buildings for use as a micro whiskey distillery comprising of a malt house, a brew house, a still house, staff facilities, a malt store and a cask storage house [bonded] all located in a group of Protected Structures on the Castletown Cox Estate, Castletown, Piltown, County Kilkenny. 

2. The construction of a new boiler house with flue, and underground LPG tanks to power the boiler system a cooling unit, a 300KVA generator and enclosing screen, an agricultural barrel-vault shed to accommodate trailers for the removal of spent grains and pot ale with two underground tanks, one for pot ale and one for fire water. Screen fencing and gates between distillery and agricultural yard. A separate underground storage tank for firefighting water, and all associated site works.

3. The provision of a well.

4. The provision of a wastewater treatment system and percolation area for the staff facilities.

5. The provision of two number photovoltaic arrays, one at ground level and one on the south facing elevation of an existing agricultural shed.

The details of the restoration and conservation and refurbishment works comprise the following:

i. The malt house will be accommodated in an existing farm building and the roof finishes will be replaced with salvaged natural slates and introduction of a pagoda to the roof structure to accommodate the extract system for a malting kiln located within.

ii. The existing piggery building, currently in ruins, will accommodate a contemporary two-storeyn brewhouse with a natural slated roof to match the other existing farm buildings. The super structure of the two-storey brewhouse will be constructed as a steel frame inserted into the remaining walls of the historic ruin. A single storey building at ground floor with a small, glazed link connection at first floor level will be installed between the malt house and the brew house. Two new door openings will be created between the malt house and the brew house.

iii. The still house will be accommodated in an existing farm building, where its roof and walls will be retained. A new opening will be created between the still and brew house.

iv. The staff facilities will be accommodated within an existing farm building, retaining its existing roof and walls.

v. The cask storage will be accommodated in an existing farm building, retaining its existing roof and walls and preserving the historic cobbled floor. One existing door height to be increased.

vi. All of the above historic buildings will be fitted with new glazed windows and new doors.

vii. Some minor service openings to accommodate air extraction and ventilation pipework will be created in some of the existing walls.

viii. An internal floor duct between the brewhouse and the still house, and an external duct, below ground, will be created between the brewhouse and the new boiler house.

ix. The head height of some existing doorways will be marginally increased in height to comply with fire escape regulations.
All ancillary services, site works and landscaping.

The importance of the existing buildings is heavily emphasised in the planning documentation: "The aim will be to recover and retain the architectural significance of the buildings while allowing alterations that provide a use that will ensure the building’s long-term survival into the future, provide access for the disabled and comply with fire-safety and industrial safety requirements.

"All features and materials of importance to retain the character of the individual buildings and their settings as a complex will be retained. The objective is that structures should not look very different after alterations and construction work.

"Alterations, repairs and additions are to be carried out without an attempt to disguise or artificial ageing, and new works should be discernible without detracting from the historic structure."

The application documents stated that a number of the design team members visited micro whiskey distillery projects in Scotland: "The Cabrach Distillery in the highlands in Scotland was visited to see first hand the integration of a micro whiskey distillery within heritage buildings dating from 1849.

"The Cabrach was instrumental in reviving traditional whiskey making. It is intended that Castletown Cox distillery will revive the art of traditional whiskey making contributing to the heritage legacy of Castletown Cox Estate.

"The conservation approach ensures the overall footprint of the historic buildings will not change as a result of the construction of the distillery, and, with the exception of the brew house, their outward appearance will remain as they have always been."

A decision on the plans is expected from Kilkenny County Council by October 9, 2025.

This timeline could be extended if further information is requested from the applicant.