Our Future

Distillery Plans

  • We have planning permission approved to build a full grain to glass Irish Whiskey Distillery on site that comprises several parts as follows.

  • Our native woodlands which are already planted with 5,430 trees will continue to grow and eventually we will develop a nature trail through these woodlands linking it to the village as an amenity available to the community and visitors alike.

  • The Distillery building will be housed in a refurbished shed previously used by the Murphy family as a turf and hay shed.

  • An Irish Whiskey Tasting bar will be built in the soon to be refurbished Royal Irish Constabulary (RIC) barracks which has a wonderful vista overlooking Portmagee harbour and the entrance to the village.

  • Captain Magee’s VIP whiskey tasting cabin will be housed in the original basement location of the RIC barracks and will serve only the finest and rarest whiskeys to try.

  • A farmhouse style building will become the Tea/Coffee rooms as well as serve as the reception desk, merchandising shop, customer toilets, office and storage space for the centre.

  • We will also be constructing a third Geodesic Dome on site that will become a digital archive for the sport of Seine Boat racing as well as provide an interactive cinema space for hosting of events and cultural occasions for the entire Skellig Coast region.

Three bottles of Portmagee whiskey, pre bottling, with three measuring glasses on a wooden barrel.
Green circular logo with the text 'Origin Green Ireland' and a fingerprint design in the background.
Logo of the Sustainable Tourism Network with an orange and teal circular design, includes text 'Sustainable Tourism Network', 'Member 03.26', and a stylized leaf and wave pattern.

Sustainability

Portmagee Whiskey is a registered Origin Green member as part of the Bord Bia Sustainability Charter Programme. We are also a member of the sustainable Tourism Network and working towards full sustainable certification verified in accordance with GSTC standards.

Sustainability and Energy Use Approach:

We ensure that all our suppliers are working with the Origin Green program in ensuring that they are working towards sustainability in their processes and products.

As our company grows and develops the ability to produce our whiskey in house, we will ensure that our processes and products are developed in an environmentally conscious manner also.

We actively monitor our energy usage and have programmed our equipment to run as efficiently as possible including measures such as;

·       No heating turned on until needed.

·       Dehumidifiers set to run during night time only.

·       Dome pump and projection system are on minimum hours only during summer season and only turned on for direct bookings during winter season to minimise energy use.

We have installed a 2kW wind turbine on site complete with 5kW battery back-up system running of smart metering to maximise night time electricity during recharge if necessary.

We utilise a minimum flush option for our bathroom facilities.

We reuse and upcycle furniture, fittings and materials for use in our visitor centre facility.

Copper distillation apparatus with a curved tube and round base, set on a wooden surface with blurry bottles in the background.

Our Sustainability Targets Include:

  • Development of solar PV energy source for Portmagee Whiskey experience.

  • Development of a rainwater collection system to meet Portmagee Whiskey experience requirements.

  • Waste prevention planning for Portmagee Whiskey experience to remove and prevent wasteful habits and procedures even beginning.

  • Development of river woodland walk in Portmagee.

  • Development of an eco-friendly bee colony and pollinator habitats in Portmagee.

  • Community Engagement

  • Direct sponsorship and promotion of the annual Portmagee Regatta and Seine Boat racing as a sport in general.

  • Support native bird life species by providing a safe habitat to live in and supporting Birdwatch Ireland conservations efforts.

Sustainability Methods and Practices:

  • Source raw materials to produce whiskey from crops by local farmers.

  • Promote an active tree planting regime in order to replenish what has been cut down in the production of the casks.

  • Develop an energy efficient distillery and whiskey experience using the principles of passive building design whilst simultaneously maximising the use of new technology to streamline processes and reduce waste.

  • Ensure the maximum amount of viable renewable energy is captured through the use of PV, water, wind and further clean energy technologies.

  • Design a rainwater capture system as part of our future distillery.

  • Source and pipe a clean new well as a water source and ensure maximum efficiencies of system design to limit unnecessary water wastage.

  • Implement a smart metering system for electricity, water and other energy sources and incorporate a building management system for the future distillery and whiskey experience.

A bottle of Portmagee Irish whiskey placed on black volcanic rock with orange and white lichen.

Portmagee Into The Future

Portmagee Whiskey’s plans don’t end with the completion of our distillery experience and visitor centre. Join our newsletter and learn about our future ambitions and projects that we hope to bring to life as we continue to invest in our wonderful village's future.

Our Ethos

Explore Portmagee's core values, ethics, services, principles, and service to the community.

Respect

For one another, our history, our community and our environment.

Loyalty

To each other and to Portmagee as a village community.

Integrity

To do the right thing always, even when it is hard to do it.

Adventure

To create and promote opportunities for adventure for people to enjoy.

Community

To provide opportunities and support to our community so that it may thrive into the future.