Boann Distillery wins Sustainability and Climate Action Award at North East Business Awards
Boann Distillery clinched the Sustainability and Climate Action Award, sponsored by Enterprise Ireland, at the North East Business Awards organised by the Drogheda and District Chamber.
(L-R) Paddy Cooney, representative on the night, Boann Distillery, and Harry Evans. distiller, at the Drogheda and District Chamber’s Northeast Business Awards 2025 at The City North Hotel
The family-owned distillery in Drogheda was recognised for its strong commitment to sustainability, circular production, and support for local agriculture.
The awards, held at a gala event last Saturday night in the City North Hotel in Meath, recognised an inspiring spectrum of businesses – from emerging entrepreneurs to long-established leaders – each contributing to the thriving North East region.
Winners were decided by a combination of public vote and independent judging.
“We are honoured to receive this recognition for our commitment to sustainability and regenerative practices,” said Paddy Cooney, who represented Boann Distillery on the night, along with distiller Harry Evans.
“At Boann, we believe innovation and environmental stewardship go hand in hand, and this award acknowledges the hard work of our entire team.
“Sustainability lies at the heart of everything we do as we continue to push boundaries in sustainable Irish distillation.”
Boann Distillery’s award-winning submission outlined a comprehensive, deeply rooted sustainability programme including its use of local ingredients and zero-waste ethos, its native tree planting and solar power investment.
All ingredients used in Boann’s spirits are local, natural, and 100 per cent Irish.
Through a close partnership with Loughran’s Family Maltsters, the distillery has initiated a local grain sourcing project – barley, oats, wheat, and rye – ensuring inputs are both Irish-grown and, where possible, locally sourced.
When it comes to the distillery’s zero-waste ethos, spent grains from production go directly to a local farmer for use as cattle feed.
Pot ale and spent lees are collected to feed an anaerobic digester, contributing to renewable energy generation.
The distillery also uses hot water generated during distillation to pre-heat incoming product streams and to clean vessels, significantly reducing energy loads and improving overall system efficiency.
Since 2021, Boann has partnered with a local regenerative farmer and Reforest Nation to plant 1000 native oak trees each year.
This forms a core component of the distillery’s barrel sustainability programme, contributing to biodiversity, carbon capture, and long-term woodland restoration.
And in early 2024, Boann completed installation of a 225 kVa solar PV system on its new warehouse, generating over 30% of the site’s electricity requirements and further reducing the distillery’s carbon footprint.
Presented in association with premier sponsor Flogas, this year’s North East Business Awards celebrated exceptional achievement across a multitude of sectors.
Independent judges praised the quality of entrants – many first-time nominees – reflecting the vibrancy and growth of the region’s business community.
“These awards are special as they reward excellence and recognise the efforts people put in on a daily basis in their own sector.
“The town is blessed to have such individuals and firms as part of our growing community,” said Drogheda and District Chamber CEO, Hubert Murphy.
Boann’s range of Single Pot Still Irish Whiskeys, The Whistler Irish Whiskeys and Liqueurs, Silks Irish Dry Gin and 1848 Apple Brandy is now distributed in over 60 countries worldwide.
The brands have won a number of awards including “World’s Best Single Grain” in the World Whisky Awards 2022, “Ireland’s Best Gin” in the Irish Whiskey Awards and “World’s Best New Make Spirit” in the World Whisky Awards 2021 for its single pot still spirit.
