January 2024 Mark Prentice, He said,


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Director at The Copeland Distillery, reflected on recent global developments.


“When


it comes to whiskey production we retain the traditions of Irish distilling but also bring exciting innovation to create taste profiles that surprise and delight. This is the key reason for our success to date. “The US is a complex market to


crack, given the differing alcohol regulations in each state but we are now primed to deliver significant volumes in the gin, rum and whiskey categories year-on-year. Our success in the last 12 months has allowed us to bring on board new sales resource in the US to increase our capacity to grow in this market, and our unique portfolio of award- winning spirits authentically bring to life the stories of Donaghadee and the Copeland Islands which firmly sets us apart from the competition.” Mark also said that recent changes in licensing laws have transformed the business’s ability to connect with local customers. He said, “Whilst we have always experienced great support from local retailers, bars and restaurants, recent changes in legislation mean that we can sell direct to the public, both at our Distillery and at local fairs. This year, we’re the only distillery showcasing our range at Belfast’s Christmas Markets – another first for us that’s proving to be invaluable when it comes to connecting with tourists and locals alike. Our Distillery Bar is now open Thursday and Sunday evenings and is a fantastic opportunity to further position ourselves as a community hub and showcase our expertise and innovation through our on-site cocktails.” Bottled at 46% ABV, the new


Barolo cask whiskey is available direct from the Distillery and selected independent off-licences. A select number of bars and restaurants across Northern Ireland are also listing the Barolo release on cocktail menus. For more information visit copelanddistillery. com, or for inspiration visit @ copelanddistillery on social media.


Slieve Russell Hotel Goes on the Market for Offers Over £26 Million


THE LOCAL TOURIST | 61


Hillsborough’s Iconic Plough Inn Sold


ONE of Northern Ireland’s most famous family-run hospitality venues The Plough Inn Hillsborough is changing ownership to another of the sector’s best-known families, the McGlones of Magherafelt. The Plough Inn, owned by the Patterson


family, has been a high profile pub, restaurant and entertainment venue in the town since 1978, enjoying a reputation for high quality food and hospitality way beyond the immediate Lisburn area. The new owners of The Plough Inn bring a


wealth of industry experience to the venue having successfully founded and developed a number of


venues in the mid Ulster area, including Dormans, Mary’s Bar and Secrets. Speaking at the announcement of the acquisition,


Henry McGlone and his wife Teresa paid tribute to the hard work of the Patterson family over many years: “Given our background and evolution as a family-


run hospitality business we have great respect and appreciation for the iconic position The Plough Inn holds in the hearts of people across Northern Ireland and beyond,” said Mr McGlone. “We have always admired the way the Patterson family


have operated The Plough Inn and the venerable position the venue holds in the local community, so when the opportunity came along to examine the possibility of acquiring the business, we engaged fully in the process. “Naturally we are delighted to have now acquired the business and will work hard in the months and years ahead to develop and invest in this iconic local institution – not just to maintain its proud heritage and values but also to grow the business and make it a must-visit venue for anyone coming to the area,” he added.


Guinness Storehouse Wins World Leading Tourist Attraction Award


JUST in time for the holiday season, the Guinness Storehouse has been named World’s Leading Tourist Attraction 2023 and World’s Leading Beer Tour Visitor Experience 2023 at the prestigious World Travel Awards. Beating out iconic locations like the Las Vegas


Vision for Belfast Promenade Launches in Bid to Make it One of the Best in the World


Strip, The Great Wall of China and Machu Picchu, the Storehouse recorded the most votes in both categories to win.


Following this historic win, there’s no better time


tan ever to visit the Storehouse and experience the mhagic first-hand. Plus, the Storehouse just launched its Christmas festive spectacle, featuring a state- of-the-art cinematic experience and eye-catching installations, including the 8.5 meter tall Guinness Storehouse Christmas tree to celebrate the goodness of the season!


THE Slieve Russell Hotel in County Cavan is set to go on the market for offers over £26 million in 2024.


The four-star Slieve Russell Hotel including a golf course and spa will go up for sale in spring 2024.


The hotel once belonged to Irish businessman Sean Quinn. Liquidators have been selling off the Quinn hospitality assets in recent years following the collapse of the Quinn empire, with Dublin pubs The Barge and JW Sweetman sold last year. The Barge on the banks of Dublin’s Grand Canal sold for €3.75m (£3.2m) while the Mahon family, who own a number of New York pubs, bought Sweetmans near O’Connell Bridge for over €5m (£4.3m).


Buswells Hotel in the city was also put on the market by selling agents Savills for €22m (£19m) last year but has not yet been sold.


The Slieve Russell was the location for the launch of Mr Quinn’s memoir In My Own Words earlier this year and is close to his own lakeshore home.


A NEW vision has launched which is set to make Belfast one of the world’s great waterfront cities. The Belfast Waterfront Promenade provides a framework to ensure that future regeneration of the city’s waterfront, one of the largest in Europe, follows an agreed set of design principles. The new approach was developed by the Belfast Waterfront Task Group, made up of representatives from charity Maritime Belfast Trust, Belfast City Council, Belfast Harbour, Titanic Quarter Limited, Tourism NI and the Departments for Communities, Infrastructure, the Economy and of Agriculture, Environment & Rural Affairs.


Stretching from Sailortown to Ormeau Park, over half of the 10,000m waterfront remains available for development. Those behind the Promenade plan believe this is a generational opportunity to reshape Belfast’s relationship with its waterfront and maximise the area’s potential to provide economic and social benefits for all of Northern Ireland.


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