Construction work is due to begin on a new whiskey distillery in Co Carlow.

Walsh Whiskey Distillery has awarded the contract to Kilkenny-based firm Duggan Lynch.

The work will see a world-class, craft Irish whiskey distillery built at Royal Oak, Carlow, on the bank of the River Barrow.

It is understood up to 70 jobs will be created during the construction phase of the development, which is expected to last for 18 months.

The distillery is scheduled to be completed in Spring 2016, however whiskey production will commence last next year.

Comprising 40 acres of pastoral land, the distillery will feature two production lines, incorporating three copper stills – three pot and one twin column 'Coffey' still; while the building materials being used on the project will be in keeping with the surrounding environment.

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The development will also include two maturation houses with capacity for 60,000 barrels, the estate's roadways will be sunken to limit visibility and a stone wall restoration project will take place.

When fully operational, the distillery will be able to produce 500,000 cases of whiskey each year of the company's premium Irish whiskey brands. It will also be the only distillery in Ireland to produce all three types of Irish whiskey in one facility, that is, pot, malt and grain.

Bernard Walsh, founder of Walsh Whiskey Distillery, said: "We are pleased to be appointing Duggan Lynch which has a strong track record of delivering projects to plan.

"This is the first time a purpose-built distillery has been constructed in Carlow in over 200 years. We look forward to sharing a dram of some historic whiskey in a few short years from now."

The development is being supported by the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, through Enterprise Ireland.

(JP/MH)