Every so often, a rebrand happens that is so iconic, so unexpected, that it immediately becomes one for the books. Miley Cyrus went from Disney teen to rockstar seemingly overnight, David Bowie reinvented himself more times than you can count on both hands, and now the most daring and avant-garde transformation this generation has seen is coming to Belfast.
Crumlin Road Prison (or gaol in Gaelic) shut after more than a century of operation in 1996, having remained open throughout the Troubles. In its time as a working jail it housed both Ulster loyalists and IRA paramilitaries, including multiple past and present Stormont members. Now, it’s doing the most Irish thing possible and becoming a whisky brewery.
Wing A of the prison has been transformed into a working distillery, and its official opening ceremony was Wednesday (April 17). Conor Murphy, the minister for Economy in the Northern Irish parliament, served time at Crumlin Road in the 1980s, and was present at the grand opening. He said it was ‘remarkable to be back in [Wing A] and see how it has transformed’.
Murphy described the makeover as a perfect example of how the country has moved on from the violence of its past, saying, ‘I think it probably epitomises the story of transformation, of moving from conflict and division to where we are now, the chance of opportunity, of hope’.
The plant has employed 36 people, with hopes to expand in the future. It hopes to bring in as many as 100,000 tourists annually to an oft-overlooked part of the city. You can book your tour on McConnell's whisky's website here.
Crumlin Road prison/whisky factory, we salute you. You’ve shown us all that no matter how rough your past, no matter how long you’ve been bogged down, it’s never too late for an era-defining transformation, preferably with alcohol involved.
Enjoy your very Irish, very prosperous second life. You’ve earned it!
Fancy a drink?
If whisky's not your thing, don't panic. We've got guides to our favourite pubs in the country for a classic pint, and to the UK's most stunning rooftop bars for a fancier evening out. We've also covered the recent winners at the UK's pub awards, and which supermarket chain was recently voted the best for wine lovers.
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