At the dawn of the twentieth century, Ireland was the hub of the world of whiskey with Bushmills being the oldest licensed whiskey distiller in the world.  Jameson was one of the most recognized names and Dublin, the centre of it all having one of every three workers involved in some way with the whiskey industry.  At that time about three quarters of the world’s whiskey came from Ireland.

However, the events of history were not kind to the Irish whiskey trade.  Two world wars, the Irish War of Independence, Prohibition and the rise of the Scotch Whisky industry all played a part in its demise.  By the 1960s the industry was on the verge of extinction with only one percent of the world market share.

By the 1970s there were only two operational distilleries in all of Ireland; Midleton, who produces many well-known Whiskey brands including Midleton, Jameson, Powers, Redbreast, Writers Tears, The Irishman, Green Spot, Yellow Spot, Red Spot, Blue Spot amongst other labels, and Bushmills, who at the time was also then owned by the same company.

For several decades there were no working distilleries in Dublin (Midleton was located in County Cork and Bushmill was in County Antrim, Northern Ireland) but today there is a resurgence throughout Ireland, including Dublin.  In 2015 the redevelopment began in Dublin with the launch of Teeling Distillery.  Since then there have been others who set up shop including Roe & Co, Pearse Lyons and the Dublin Liberties.

Today the Irish Whiskey industry is healthier than it has been for over 120 years.   According to the Irish Whiskey Association, as of December 2019 there were 32 distilleries in operation in Ireland.

If you are planning to visit Ireland here are some of the best distilleries to visit:

DUBLIN

Pearse Lyons Distillery – Founded by the late Pearse Lyons in the Liberties district of Dublin, this boutique distillery is a unique spot to learn about the brewing and distilling processes.  It is located in the restored St James’ Church on James St.

Tullamore D.E.W. Distillery – Created in 1829 and later prospering under general manager Daniel E Williams (hence D.E.W. in the name), Tullamore D.E.W is the second largest selling brand of Irish Whiskey globally.

Teeling Whiskey Distillery – The first new distillery in Dublin for 125 years, it is located in Dublin’s historic distilling district.

Roe & Co Distillery – Named after legendary 19th-century whiskey pioneer George Roe, Roe & Co opened their doors in 2019 at the Guinness Power House.

The Dublin Liberties Distillery – Set in the district from which it takes its name, it is a modern, state-of-the-art distillery on Mill St.  You can hear the tales of trade, conflict and debauchery about the Liberties district, stretching back hundreds of years to when it was outside of the official Dublin city limits.

Jameson Distillery, Bow St. – Ireland’s most famous whiskey opened in 1780 by John Jameson.  The distillery on Bow St in Smithfield has been a staple in Dublin for over two centuries.  Although since 1971 it has operated only as a visitors’ centre.

MIDLETON

Jameson Distillery, Midleton – Midleton, in County Cork, is where the bulk of Jameson operations have taken place since 1975.

COUNTY CARLOW

Royal Oak Distillery is the first to distill all three styles of Irish whiskey: pot still, malt and grain, all under one roof.  It’s also the largest non-automated distillery in Ireland.

COUNTY CORK

Clonakilty Distillery – Single pot still whiskey is Clonakilty’s specialty. They also will explain how different woods change the character of the whiskey as it matures.

DINGLE PENINSULA

Dingle Distillery – Since 2012, the Dingle Whiskey Distillery has been distilling some excellent single pot still whiskey.

COUNTY KILKENNY

The Ballykeefe Distillery – Though only in operation since 2017, the distillery is situated on land that has a distilling heritage going back hundreds of years.  They follow the family farm traditions and have a strong commitment to sustainability.

With records of distilling going back to 1324, it’s claimed that Kilkenny is the birthplace of Irish whiskey.

COUNTY MEATH

Slane Irish Whiskey Distillery – Located 50 minutes outside of Dublin, the distillery is located in in the 250-year-old stables of Slane Castle.

WATERFORD

Waterford Distillery – Distilling since 2015, Waterford Distillery’s state-of-the-art facility is on the banks of the river Suir.

COUNTY WESTMEATH

Kilbeggan Distilling Co. – Established in 1757, it claims to be Ireland’s oldest licenced distillery and after battling through a painful closure in 1953, it was revived by locals in the 1980s who have maintained it ever since.

COUNTY WICKLOW

Powerscourt Distillery – At the foot of the Wicklow Mountains, Powerscourt Distillery is located a short drive south of Dublin. Set in The Old Mill House, the distillery was once at the heart of the local farming community.

COUNTY ANTRIM, NORTHERN IRELAND

The Old Bushmills Distillery – On the wild north coast of Ireland, the Bushmills Distillery has been in operation for over 400 years, making it one of the oldest whiskey distilleries in Ireland. Established in 1608, it claims to be the oldest licensed distillery in the world.

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