Laois-Offaly Fianna Fáil TD Barry Cowen has welcomed the announcement that Tullamore Dew is to re-open a distillery in Tullamore, near the original site.

The move will create 100 jobs during construction and 15 permanent full and part-time jobs.

"This is fantastic news for Tullamore for a variety of reasons," said Deputy Cowen. "As one of the world's best-selling whiskies, Tullamore Dew is a real success story. The fact that the company has now decided to go back to its roots and re-open a distillery in Tullamore is a real coup and will bring significant economic and cultural benefits to the town."

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He continued: "The €35 million investment means that Tullamore Dew will have a distillery in its hometown for the first time since 1954. This will be a mix of the modern and the traditional – a new high-tech facility housing a long-established brand. Tullamore will benefit in terms of direct and indirect employment and tourism, while the company, William Grant & Sons, stands to gain significantly by bringing the brand home."

"I wish to congratulate William Grant & Sons for taking such an exciting and logical step. This is certainly a welcome boost for Tullamore and for the entire county,” said Deputy Cowen.

(PM/GK)