Galway Bay fm newsroom - The Old Mill in Ahascragh is to be transformed into a modern whiskey distillery with the creation of 20 permanent jobs.
The new MacAllister Distillery is being built my husband and wife Gareth and Michelle McAllister.
Ahascragh Mill dates back to the early 1800s and up until the 1950s processed grain into flour, but it has remained derelict for the past 70 years.
As well as creating permanent positions once it's up and running, the distillery construction project is expected to create an additional 30 indirect jobs for local trades people.
The owners say the Ahascragh Distillery will be an eco-distillery, powered by renewable energy with a drive to be carbon neutral.
Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue and Minister of State and Galway East TD Anne Rabbitte will lay a stone to mark the start of the construction project this afternoon.
Minister McConalogue told Keith Finnegan on Galway Talks the distillery will provide key employment in the East Galway community.
