Three Generations

Founded by the McKillop Family

Our story to date

1960s

1980s

2000s

2015

2020

2025

1960s

Sowing the First Seeds

In the shadow of the Glens, with soil under their fingernails and the salt air of the North Coast in their lungs, the McKillop family began their lifelong love affair with potatoes. It wasn’t just farming, it was pride, heritage, and a commitment to nourish their community.

1980s

Rooted in Tradition

Through storms, seasons, and decades of change, Glens of Antrim Potatoes became a trusted name across Northern Ireland. Every harvest was a testament to resilience and a belief that food grown with care tastes better.

2000s

A New Generation, A Bold Vision

As younger family members became more heavily involved in the business, they brought fresh energy and ambition. Inspired by the land and the stories of those before them, they asked a bold question: What more could we grow from what we’ve built? How can we continue to grow?

2015

From Soil to Snack: The Birth of Glens of Antrim Crisps

With the same potatoes that had fed generations, the family launched Glens of Antrim Crisps. Hand-cooked in small batches and seasoned with flavours inspired by their homeland, it was a leap from farm to food innovation. The crisps told a story with every bite of turf fires, sea spray, and mountain walks.

2020 - 2024

Crunching into the UK and International Markets

From local shelves to farm shops and delis across England, Scotland, and in retailers across Europe, as well as Singapore, Philippines and Taiwan. Glens of Antrim Crisps began to turn heads. Supported by strong distributor partnerships, passionate sampling, and their unmistakable branding, they found their place not just as a snack but as a piece of Northern Ireland.

Present

A Spirit of the Glens: Planning the Glens of Antrim Distillery

With the same courage that turned potatoes into crisps, the McKillops now look to something even bolder: whiskey. Plans are underway to build a world-class distillery in Cushendall, a home for legendary whiskey inspired by the wild, untamed Glens. It’s more than a distillery. It’s a place where stories will be distilled, traditions honoured, and a new chapter written.

Our Story

The Legacy & Craft of Glens of Antrim Distillery

At Glens of Antrim Distillery, our story dates back three generations to when the McKillop family founded Glens of Antrim Potatoes. Today, we continue our proud legacy of providing families across Ireland with high-quality produce. But that's not all - we're now expanding our horizons and venturing into the world of whiskey. Our distillery, due for completion in 2024, will be the home of our signature whiskey. We'll be distilling and filling our founder's casks with the same care and attention to detail that has made our potatoes so popular.

Our whiskey is a labour of love, a tribute to our family's heritage and the stunning landscapes that surround us in the Glens of Antrim.

Our mission is to transport a new generation of whiskey drinkers to a world of myths and stories - so they can write their own.

OUR VALUES
01

Roots

As a family-owned business, we have a deep respect and appreciation for where we come from. Our passion for our craft and the expression of our whiskey is always rooted in the elements and beauty of the natural landscape and myths of our home in County Antrim. 


02

Stories

We believe a glass of whiskey holds incredible stories and has the power to connect people in endless ways. From Irish crafting techniques passed on for generations to the moments you share a glass of Lir with friends and family, our whiskey infuses Irish tradition & inspires you to tell your story. 


03

Sustainability

We are a perpetual work in progress. We promise to be dedicated to implementing sustainable practices, from our sourcing to our distillation process, that reduce our environmental footprint.

THE NEW DISTILLERY

Our distillery is the birthplace of our signature whiskey. From the distillation process to the filling of our founder's casks, we use the same care and attention to detail that has made our Lir Irish Whiskey so popular.