A County Fermanagh distillery is set to increase its production capacity fivefold after securing almost £2 million in investment, supported by £510,000 from Invest Northern Ireland. The Boatyard Distillery, founded in 2016 by Joe McGirr, plans to scale from around 300,000 bottles to over 1.6 million annually, creating three new jobs in the process.
The investment, announced by Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald, includes state-of-the-art mashing, fermentation and distillation equipment, alongside a new bio-LPG steam heating system. The company, which produces premium organic gin and vodka from its base at Tully Bay Marina on Lough Erne, exports to the US, Britain and Ireland.
What the investment involves
The project represents a significant expansion for the distillery, which has grown from a small craft operation to an internationally recognised brand. Key elements include:
- Installation of automated mashing, fermentation and distillation equipment
- A new bio-LPG steam heating system for improved sustainability
- Production capacity increasing from approximately 300,000 to over 1.6 million bottles per year
- Three new jobs created
- Support for continued product innovation, including V-52, a new mid-strength spirit
The £510,000 support comes through Invest NI’s Agri-Food Investment Initiative (AFII), a programme designed to help food and drink processors improve efficiency and competitiveness through capital investment. The company has also previously benefited from loan and equity funding through Invest NI’s Access to Finance programme.
Official statements
Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald, who visited the distillery to announce the investment, said:
“The Boatyard Distillery is one of the region’s premium drinks producers. Its success in international markets such as North America demonstrates both the export potential of our local companies and the global reputation of our food and drink sector.
“Invest NI has supported the company’s investment to help it to introduce new technology that will boost productivity and strengthen export capability at its site. This is exactly the type of investment needed to drive sustainable growth locally, enhancing competitiveness and supporting long-term success. The company is a real asset to the Fermanagh area, with this investment demonstrating ambitions to grow further and continue its contribution to the local and regional economy.”
Joe McGirr, founder and CEO of The Boatyard Distillery, said:
“Demand for our products continues to increase across key international markets and we need to scale to keep up. This investment will give us the production capability we need to produce five times the amount of bottles annually, meaning we can meet demand while maintaining the quality and consistency our customers expect. Alongside increased capacity, it will support continued product innovation, including V-52, our new mid-strength spirit that is already helping drive the next phase of growth. It also perfectly positions us to maximise opportunities with major distribution partners while accelerating our expansion across Europe and North America.”
McGirr also acknowledged Invest NI’s ongoing support:
“We have worked closely with Invest NI from the earliest days of the business, and its support has been instrumental in helping us grow our team, expand production and build a global brand from County Fermanagh. We are proud to continue investing in the business, while creating opportunities for our local community.”
Ethna McNamee, Head of Regional Business for the Western region at Invest Northern Ireland, said:
“This investment is an endorsement of The Boatyard Distillery’s ambition and the growing strength of Northern Ireland’s food and drink sector. It has successfully established a premium brand with an impressive international footprint, and this project marks a major milestone in its growth journey. It also demonstrates the role AFII plays in helping businesses adopt innovative technologies and build the capabilities needed to improve productivity, enhance sustainability and strengthen competitiveness.
“Alongside our support for it to invest in state-of-the-art systems, our in-market teams are helping to strengthen its ability to compete in global markets. Our teams in Canada, the US and Japan are working closely with the team at The Boatyard Distillery to develop export opportunities through introductions to international buyers and participation in major trade exhibitions. We’re looking forward to seeing the business continue to go from strength to strength from its base at Tully Bay Marina.”
Context and verification
The Boatyard Distillery’s claim to be “Ireland’s first B-Corp certified distillery” has been independently verified. According to The Spirits Business, the company achieved B Corp certification in February 2023 with a score of 92.1, well above the 80-point threshold required. B Lab, the certifying body, confirms the distillery earned an overall score of 92.1 based on its impact assessment, compared to a median score of 50.9 for ordinary businesses.
The expansion comes at a time when US craft distillers face headwinds, though European and UK markets may present different dynamics. In the United States, the number of active craft distilleries fell by 25.6% to 2,282 between August 2024 and August 2025, according to the American Craft Spirits Association, with craft spirits exports down 20.7% in 2024.
The AFII support of £510,000 represents approximately 25.5% of the total investment value. For context, the Agri-Food Investment Initiative offers support ranging from 20% to 35% of eligible costs depending on business size, with maximum assistance around £5 million. The minimum project size for AFII support is £300,000 for small businesses, £500,000 for medium businesses, and £1 million for large businesses.
What’s missing from the announcement
The press release provides limited detail on several fronts. Current employment figures are not disclosed—only that three new jobs will be created. External data from PitchBook indicated 17 employees in earlier filings, though current figures may differ.
The announcement also omits specific export values or revenue figures, making it difficult to assess the scale of the company’s international success. While the Minister references “success in international markets such as North America,” no concrete sales data or market share information is provided.
Additionally, the announcement does not detail how The Boatyard Distillery positions itself relative to other Northern Ireland distilleries such as Bushmills, Hinch, Echlinville and Copeland. The region now hosts over 20 distilleries and breweries, including established names and newer entrants.
Questions for stakeholders
- How does the £510,000 AFII award compare to other distillery investments in Northern Ireland, and what criteria determined this level of support?
- What safeguards exist to ensure the three promised jobs materialise, and will they be permanent positions?
- Given the volatility in US craft spirits markets, what contingency plans does the distillery have if North American demand softens?
- How will the bio-LPG heating system reduce the company’s carbon footprint, and are there measurable sustainability targets?
- Does the fivefold production increase risk oversupply if export growth does not match projections?
What to watch
The success of this investment will ultimately be measured by delivery on its promises: the creation of three jobs, the scaling of production, and the continued growth of export markets. The distillery’s new V-52 mid-strength spirit will also be worth monitoring—this product category targets consumers seeking lower-alcohol alternatives, a growing but competitive segment.
Invest NI’s in-market teams in Canada, the US and Japan will play a crucial role in converting production capacity into actual sales. The agency’s 2025-26 performance results showed it helped secure £764 million of investment—the highest in over a decade—though questions persist about how effectively such support translates into long-term, sustainable employment across Northern Ireland.
For the Fermanagh area, where economic opportunities can be limited compared to Belfast and the east, The Boatyard Distillery’s expansion offers a rare example of significant capital investment in the west. Whether this proves replicable for other rural businesses will depend partly on how accessible Invest NI’s support programmes remain to smaller enterprises without the distillery’s established track record and international profile.