News has today arrived that planning permission has been granted for the proposed distillery on Cape Clear Island. Islanders will know that the planning process has been extremely difficult and arduous and was carried forward by the Comharchumann after the withdrawal of the initial investor. Credit and thanks is due to all who supported the project through difficult times and especially those islanders who stood in to fund the process from their personal finances, Údaras na Gaeltachta and the Coiste of Comharchumann Chléire Teo. Adrian Fitzgibbon must  also be given credit not only for starting the project but also for selecting a very professional and competent team, all outstanding in their fields of expertise and it has been a great learning experience to have worked with them. We also thank Bruno Teillard for establishing the extent of the water resources on the Island and to Irish Water who have been helpful at all times.

Whether anything concrete will ever come of this remains to be seen. There are enormous challenges ahead and much to be done.