Boann Distillery: History, Family and Single Pot Still
Updated: 3 hours ago
Boann Distillery stands at Lagavooren, on the Platin Road outside Drogheda in County Meath, close to the River Boyne. It is an independent, family-run distillery set up by Patrick and Marie Cooney and their children, with one stated aim: to revive the character of Single Pot Still Irish whiskey.
In this guide
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Boann at a glance
Distillery fact | Verified detail |
|---|---|
Distillery / brand | Boann |
Country and region | County Meath, Ireland |
Ownership / operator | Cooney family |
History | See the original researched history below. |
Whisky identity | An independent family producer in the Boyne Valley known for innovative still design. |
Visiting | Check the producer's latest official tour and opening information before travelling. |
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The Cooney family and the Boyne Valley
According to the distillery, the Cooney family has lived and worked in the Boyne Valley for over 200 years. The distillery names Patrick and Marie Cooney, alongside their children Sally-Anne, Celestine, Peter, Paddy and James, and says the family has over 50 years of experience in the Irish drinks industry.
Whisky Magazine (August 2025) reports that the family built the Gleeson Group from a small independent bottler into a company with an annual turnover above 300 million euro, before its sale in 2012. Managing director Pat Cooney chose a site that had been an upmarket car dealership, and the showroom was converted into a combined brewing, distilling and bottling operation. The beer and cider parts of the business were sold to the Carlow Brewing Company in 2019, and that space became warehousing.
Why the name Boann
Boann, or Bóinn in Irish, is the mythical goddess said to have created the River Boyne. The distillery sits about four miles from Newgrange, and its first release, Solstice, took its name from the winter solstice sunrise that lights the Newgrange chamber. Whisky Magazine says Solstice was a three-year-old single pot still matured in a Pedro Ximénez hogshead.
A return to Drogheda distilling
Whisky Magazine notes that Drogheda was once home to no fewer than 18 distilleries, the last of which closed in the 1850s, and that a whiskey bonding business existed on the site until 1968. Boann describes itself as bringing distilling back to the town.
Stills and production
Three bespoke copper pot stills, made in Italy by Green Engineering.
The lyne arms carry patented nanotechnology that exposes the spirit to six times more copper surface, according to director Sally-Anne Cooney.
Reflux control on the intermediate and spirit stills lets the team vary the style of spirit.
About 90 per cent of what is distilled is single pot still, with a few small single malt campaigns each year, mostly for blending (Whisky Magazine).
Oats and rye feature in many mash bills. The distillery has used 40 different recipes to date.
In December 2020 the Cooneys worked with Irish writer and whiskey historian Fionnán O’Connor, who had found a range of vintage mash bills. Ten of them, dating from the early 1800s to the mid-20th century, were selected and 2,000 litres of spirit from each was distilled, then filled into sherry, rum, bourbon and New Era of Oak casks (Whisky Magazine).
The range
Boann core range: launched in summer 2024 as three single pot still whiskeys aged four and a half years in Marsala, Madeira and Pedro Ximénez casks, using a mash bill of 40 per cent malt, 55 per cent raw barley, 3 per cent oats and 2 per cent rye.
Solstice: summer and winter limited editions and single casks.
The Whistler range: blends and single malts, including a Trilogy Series. The name comes from Pat Cooney’s habit of whistling while he works.
Silks Irish Dry Gin and Copper Cloud Irish Dry Gin.
Visiting
The distillery website lists guided tours, bespoke experiences and a Your Visit page. Whisky.com, however, states there is no visitor centre and that spontaneous tours are often possible, while Whisky Magazine reported in August 2025 that a café, bar and visitor facilities were planned by the end of that year or early the next. Check the official site for current tour times and prices before travelling. Address: Lagavooren, Platin Rd., Drogheda, Co. Meath, A92 X593.
A family distillery in Drogheda
Whiskybase says Boann Distillery was established in 2019 by the Cooney family in Drogheda, County Meath, reviving whiskey production in the area after more than a century. A June 2023 visit report describes it as family run, with brothers and co-founders Peter and James Cooney and their father Pat Cooney.
Gin: Silks gin uses botanicals from the family orchard
Whiskey: the Whistler range includes single cask releases and Irish single pot still whiskey, with Summer Solstice reported as its second single pot still release
Location: just outside Drogheda, per the Bord Bia members directory
Sources and gaps
Sources: boanndistillery.ie (Our Family page and home page), Whisky Magazine, Distillery Focus by Gavin Smith, 27 August 2025, and Whisky.com distillery database.
Conflict: the official site says the dream became reality in 2019. Whisky.com gives a founding year of 2016, and Whisky Magazine says the venture was established in 2016 with the first distillation in December 2019.
Gaps: tour prices and hours, current range ABVs and awards were not checked.
Further source read on 21 October 2026: Freedom and Whisky visit report (27 June 2023) and Whiskybase brand summary.
What makes Boann distinctive?
An independent family producer in the Boyne Valley known for innovative still design.
Boann whisky bottles and expression comparison
Bottle / expression | Age | ABV | Documented producer release |
|---|---|---|---|
Boann Legacy Single Pot Still | Check label | Check label | Documented whisky label, batch availability varies |
Boann Single Pot Still Madeira Cask | Check label | Check label | Documented whisky label, batch availability varies |
Boann Single Pot Still Marsala Cask | Check label | Check label | Documented whisky label, batch availability varies |
Boann Single Pot Still PX Cask | Check label | Check label | Documented whisky label, batch availability varies |
The Whistler Triple Oak | Check label | Check label | Documented whisky label, batch availability varies |
These expressions are documented in producer or release sources. Limited and historical editions may no longer be available. Whisky Clan has not independently tasted every bottle.
This table describes documented expressions. It does not guarantee current stock, age statements or strengths. Check producer labels for details.
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Frequently asked questions about Boann
Where is Boann based?
County Meath, Ireland.
Who operates Boann?
Cooney family.
What distinguishes Boann?
An independent family producer in the Boyne Valley known for innovative still design.
Which bottlings are documented?
Boann Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey. Some editions may be historical.
Can you visit Boann?
Please check whether tours are currently operating and book through the producer before travelling.
Sources and editorial checks
Original research and historical notes have been retained. Visitor details, owners and bottle ranges may change.
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Bottle documentation: https://www.boanndistillery.ie/shop/
About the author
 | Filip Janczak Storyteller, drinker and explorer of all things whisky. Read more about the person behind Whisky Clan and explore additional reviews and distillery guides. |
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