Distillery in Drogheda named Family Food and Drink Producer of the Year

Boann Distillery, located just outside Drogheda, has scooped Family Food and Drink Producer of the Year at the 2025 Family Business Awards, recognising the Cooney family’s outstanding contribution to Irish craftsmanship, innovation, and enterprise.

The Family Business Awards celebrate Ireland’s most exceptional family-run enterprises - those who set new benchmarks for excellence and continue to make a lasting impact on their communities and the Irish economy. 

After a highly competitive judging process, Boann stood out among hundreds of entries for its quality, family ethos, and contribution to Irish food and drink excellence. 

Founded by Pat Cooney and his wife Marie, Boann Distillery is a family-run business with over forty years experience in the Irish drinks industry and  a deep connection to Irish distilling heritage. 

Their children - Sally-Anne, Celestine, James, Peter, and Patrick - each play key roles in the day-to-day running of the company.

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"We are absolutely thrilled to be recognised as Ireland’s Best Food and Drink Producer,” said Pat Cooney, Founder and CEO at the lunchtime gala in The Johnstown Estate, Meath.

“Boann is a family business in every sense of the word, and this award is a reflection of the passion, creativity, and hard work that goes into everything we do. 

“Our goal has always been to honour Ireland’s distilling past while building its future, and to do so together as a family makes this recognition especially meaningful."

From its base near Drogheda, Boann Distillery has earned a reputation for excellence, producing internationally acclaimed spirits such as the Boann Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey range, The Whistler Irish Whiskey, Silks Irish Gin, and Merry’s Cream Liqueurs.

The distillery has become synonymous with craftsmanship and innovation, using cutting-edge technology alongside traditional copper pot stills.

The win at the Irish Family Business Awards follows a string of recent successes for Boann, including multiple international accolades at the World Drinks Awards 2025, where several of its spirits were crowned Irish category winners.

“The company’s win reinforces our position as a leader in Ireland’s craft spirits sector and highlights the strength of family-run enterprises at the heart of the Irish economy,’ said Sally-Anne Cooney who accepted the award along with her father Pat.

This year's awards were hosted by broadcaster Matt Cooper and attended by over 300 guests from across Ireland’s business community.