Boann Distillery Wins Family Food and Drink Producer Award

Meath-based Boann Distillery has been awarded the title of Family Food and Drink Producer of the Year at the 2025 Family Business Awards. This recognition highlights the Cooney family’s significant contributions to Irish craftsmanship, innovation, and the broader food and drink sector. The Family Business Awards aim to honour Ireland’s most exceptional family-run enterprises, which set high standards for excellence and leave a lasting impact on local communities and the national economy.

The selection of Boann Distillery as the winner followed a rigorous judging process, standing out among hundreds of contenders for its commitment to quality and its family-oriented ethos. Founded by Pat Cooney and his wife Marie Cooney, Boann Distillery has over forty years of experience in the Irish drinks industry, deeply rooted in the heritage of Irish distilling. Their children—Sally-Anne, Celestine, James, Peter, and Patrick—actively participate in the daily operations of the company.

“We are absolutely thrilled to be recognised as Ireland’s Best Food and Drink Producer,” said Pat Cooney, Founder and CEO, during the award ceremony held at The Johnstown Estate in Meath. He added, “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.”

Commitment to Quality and Innovation

Located near Drogheda, Boann Distillery has cultivated a reputation for excellence in producing a range of internationally acclaimed spirits. These include the Boann Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey range, The Whistler Irish Whiskey, Silks Irish Gin, and Merry’s Cream Liqueurs. The distillery combines modern technology with traditional copper pot stills, showcasing both craftsmanship and innovation.

The recognition at the Family Business Awards adds to a series of recent accomplishments for Boann. The distillery has received multiple accolades at the World Drinks Awards 2025, where several of its spirits were named winners in their respective Irish categories. “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,” stated Sally-Anne Cooney, who accepted the award alongside her father.

This year’s awards ceremony, hosted by broadcaster Matt Cooper, brought together over 300 guests from various sectors of Ireland’s business community, celebrating the achievements of family businesses across the nation. The success of Boann Distillery not only underscores its commitment to quality but also exemplifies the enduring impact of family-run enterprises in shaping the future of Ireland’s food and drink landscape.