

Irish whiskey
Medieval Kilkenny. 1324. Bishop Ledrede records the earliest known recipe for distilling whiskey in a Latin manuscript, the Red Book of Ossory. They called it Aqua Vitae or “water of life”, and used it to treat illness. In the Irish language, “water of life” translated to “uisce beatha”, which evolved into “whiskey”, and so the tale began.
It’s an intriguing story that continues to this day; on tours and tastings at world-famous distilleries and at exhilarating whiskey experiences from the Causeway Coast to County Kerry. The origin stories of global Irish whiskey brands such as Tullamore D.E.W. and Jameson are waiting to be uncovered. Grab a glass and make it a good one – a fine single malt, perhaps? We’re raising a toast to the Irish whiskey tradition, a celebration 700 years in the making. Sláinte!
The history of Irish whiskey is a classic story of rise and fall... and rise again! From its heyday in the 1800s when Dublin’s “Golden Triangle” in the Liberties area of the city produced most of the world’s whiskey, Ireland’s whiskey industry plummeted to just two operational distilleries by the 1980s – Midleton in County Cork and Bushmills in County Antrim.
Today, after decades of resurgence and rejuvenation, there are dozens of whiskey distilleries that you can visit on the island. Whether it’s an established giant such as Jameson or a new kid on the block like Titanic Distillers, streams of whiskey are flowing here once again. You can enjoy distillery tours, blending classes, premium tastings, cocktail-making masterclasses and much more. There’s never been a better time to visit the home of whiskey.
5 Irish whiskey facts
Ireland’s whiskey heritage
L-R: Barley fields, Clonakilty Distillery, County Cork; Ger Buckley, Head Cooper, Midleton Distillery, County Cork; Croithlí Irish Whiskey, County Donegal; Hinch Distillery Whiskey Tour, County Down
Experience Irish whiskey
Wondering where to start your whiskey adventure in Ireland? History lovers should make a beeline for St Canice’s Cathedral in Kilkenny city, where the legendary Red Book of Ossory is on public display for the first time ever.
Drop into the Irish Whiskey Museum in Dublin to delve deeper into the history and heritage of whiskey on the island.
If it’s tours and tastings you’re after, Irish Whiskey 360° and Northern Ireland’s Spirit Trail have them all. Big hitters, micro-distillers, hidden gems... it’s the stuff of Irish whiskey bucket list dreams!
Irish whiskey distilleries




Tullamore D.E.W. Distillery Experience
The Tullamore D.E.W. Distillery Experience in Tullamore, County Offaly, celebrates the history of Tullamore D.E.W whiskey. Explore and discover the interesting heritage behind the whiskey.
Offaly
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Teeling Whiskey Distillery
Experience first hand the sights and sounds of a fully operational distillery. The Teeling Whiskey Distillery is one of Dublin City’s premier destinations for whiskey fans and for anyone with an interest in the history of Dublin distilling.
Dublin
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Wild Atlantic Distillery Gin School & Distillery Tour
The Wild Atlantic Distillery is an award-winning whiskey, gin and vodka distillery based in County Tyrone, drawing inspiration from the spectacular rugged coastline.
Castlederg
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Midleton Distillery Experience
Visit where Jameson is made at Midleton Distillery Experience, County Cork. This whiskey experience takes you beyond process and taste, and brings you to the very essence of Irish whiskey. Home to seven iconic Irish whiskey brands which are Jameson, Redbreast, Powers, Midleton Very Rare, The Spot Whiskeys, Method and Madness and Knappogue Castle, the passion behind every drop lives here. Taste, learn, shop and take in the magic of the Midleton Distillery Experience.
Cork
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Old Bushmills Distillery
In 1608, in Bushmills, a legend was born. In that year, King James I granted a very particular licence to this small village, just a few miles inland from Ireland’s rugged north coast. The licence gave Bushmills the right to distil whiskey. Today, Bushmills is home to the oldest licenced whiskey distillery in the world.
Bushmills
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Dingle Whiskey Distillery
Dingle Whiskey Distillery is an artisanal distillery in beautiful County Kerry where they create craft spirits and helped rekindle the tradition of independent distilling in Ireland.
Kerry
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Titanic Distillers at Thompson Dock
This is the city's first working distillery in almost 90 years. Explore the site where Titanic last rested on dry ground, before her maiden voyage. Visitors to Thompson Dock and Pumphouse will clock in, as workers did a century ago, and experience first-hand a working distillery, before listening to the story of Belfast’s whiskey tradition; why it disappeared and how it has returned to the home of Titanic Distillers.
Belfast
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Hinch Distillery Tours
A tour at Hinch Distillery is not just an exploration of history, production and their bold range of triple distilled whiskeys; it’s an invitation to sit and learn from the characters that bring it to life through an immersive sensory journey.
Ballynahinch
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Micil Distillery
On the Micil Distillery Experience visitors will gain an insight into the history of whiskey, poitín and gin by learning about the processes through which they are made, alongside the family history of Micil Distillery.
Galway
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The Ardara Distillery
Childhood memories of summers spent at his grandparents’ homestead, exploring the wild Atlantic coast and an ever growing desire to breathe new life into an almost forgotten style of Irish whiskey, enticed James Doherty to bring his family back to County Donegal. The result is The Ardara Distillery.
Donegal
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The Shed Distillery Experience
Discover where the ordinary becomes extraordinary at The Shed Distillery of PJ Rigney, the home of Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin in County Leitrim.
Leitrim
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Skellig Six18 Distillery & Visitor Experience
The Skellig Six18 Distillery & Visitor Experience is located in Cahersiveen, in the town that is said to climb the mountain and look upon the sea. You will find it on the rugged Skellig coastline in County Kerry, on the scenic Ring of Kerry route. They specialise in craft gin using local botanicals.
Kerry
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Roe & Co Whiskey Distillery
Roe & Co Whiskey Distillery, located in the heart of Dublin City, is the vibrant home of cocktail exploration and modern Irish whiskey, where tradition meets innovation in every sip.
Dublin
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Powerscourt Distillery
Enjoy fantastic whiskey at Powerscourt Distillery on the beautiful Powerscourt Estate in Enniskerry, County Wicklow. Join a guided tour, learn about the distilling process and find a new appreciation for Irish whiskey.
Wicklow
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The Dublin Liberties Distillery
The Dublin Liberties Distillery, established in 2019, is a whiskey experience in the heart of Dublin City. Please note: The distillery is temporarily closed and tours are currently unavailable.
Dublin
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Slane Distillery
Visit Slane Distillery in an original 18th century stable block on the grounds of Slane Castle in Slane, County Meath. Enjoy an immersive tour, taste fine whiskey and learn about the history of the distillery.
Meath
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Pearse Lyons Distillery
Founded by Pearse and Deirdre Lyons, Pearse Lyons Distillery is a working distillery in the former St James Church, with the glass steeple. Discover fascinating local history, compelling characters and, of course, the signature Pearse Irish Whiskey at Dublin’s only boutique distillery.
Dublin
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Royal Oak Distillery
Royal Oak Distillery is a world class distillery on an 18th century estate in County Carlow. See the large, manually-operated, craft distillery producing three styles of Irish whiskey.
Carlow
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Shortcross Gin Discovery & Tour Experience
Art, craft and history blend together at Shortcross Distillery, to create an unforgettable experience on the beautiful grounds of Rademon Estate. Join founders Fiona and David to learn about their award-winning gin, which also happens to be Northern Ireland’s first craft gin.
Crossgar
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Connacht Whiskey Distillery
Discover the art of distilling and single malt pot still Irish whiskey at Connacht Whiskey Distillery in Ballina in Mayo. Tour the distillery, try craft spirits or reserve your own cask of single malt Irish whiskey.
Mayo
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The Echlinville Distillery
Discover how Echlinville Distillery captures the flavour, colour and mouthfeel of their spirits, before settling down to relax and enjoy them in the bar.
Kircubbin
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Jameson Distillery Bow St.
Visit the home of Jameson at Jameson Distillery Bow St. founded by John Jameson in 1780. Enjoy distillery tours, premium whiskey tastings, a cocktail masterclass, pot still whiskey and chocolate pairings. Sample whiskey straight from a cask in Dublin’s only maturation warehouse, or create your own blend to take home.
Dublin
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Kilbeggan Distillery Experience
Visit the world's oldest licensed distillery dating back to 1757 in Kilbeggan, County Westmeath. Discover real artisan Irish whiskey being made today and learn how Kilbeggan preserves its heritage. All tours enjoy a masterclass in tasting 3 different whiskeys.
Westmeath
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Ballykeefe Distillery
Ballykeefe Distillery is an eco friendly, single estate Irish family farm whiskey distillery in picturesque countryside, just 15 minutes outside the medieval city of Kilkenny. The distillery produces a range of premium spirits.
Kilkenny
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Drioglann Loch Measc
Experience Drioglann Loch Measc in County Mayo, a craft distillery using copper stills to make malt whiskey, vodka and gin. Take a guided tour, and appreciate the outstanding natural beauty of the Tuar Mhic Éadaigh Gaeltacht.
Mayo
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Killowen Distillery Tour & Tasting
Located in the heart of the Mourne Mountains, Killowen Distillery has a ‘Kult’ following and an epic history, due in no small part to its great whiskeys and gins.
Rostrevor
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The Crolly Distillery
Discover the essence of Donegal Gaeltacht whiskey at the Crolly Distillery, Crolly, County Donegal. The Croithlí distillery experience captures the essence of Donegal whiskey, generating anticipation, appreciation and connection to the people, culture and place that is West Donegal.
Donegal
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Ahascragh Distillery
Ahascragh Distillery, close to Ballinasloe, County Galway, is Ireland's first zero energy emissions distillery. Stop by for a tour and taste their award winning spirits.
Galway
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The Copeland Distillery Experience
Truly immerse yourself at The Copeland Distillery, where you’ll hear tales of secret smugglers, savage battles and remarkable voyages, all while soaking up our coastal spirits of whiskey, gin, and rum.
Donaghadee
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Achill Island Distillery
Visit Ireland's first island whiskey distillery. Achill Island Distillery is an Irish owned and family run whiskey distillery, right in the heart of the Wild Atlantic Way on Achill Island, County Mayo.
Mayo
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