Today there are almost 40 whiskey distilleries in Ireland. This recent revival is a welcome turn-around after decades of declining popularity for Irish whiskey that almost wiped out the entire industry. These distilleries are scattered throughout the Emerald Isle, many of them new and not even open to the public. So here’s your ultimate guide to whiskey distilleries in Ireland.
It was actually the Irish who were first to distill whiskey. (Sorry Scotland!) Irish monks used the technique of distilling perfumes to distill a drinkable spirit, and by the 12th Century were distilling whiskey. At its peak, Ireland distilled 80% of the world’s whiskey. But several factors (including Prohibition in the U.S.) caused Irish whiskey to suffer a steep decline, almost decimating the entire industry by the 1970s. So today’s resurrection is welcome both Ireland and the entire whiskey world.
The Ultimate Guide to Distilleries in Ireland
Whiskey Distilleries in Ireland range from old and iconic (like Midleton) and the oldest in the world (Bushmills), to popular and established (Tullamore and Teeling), and even up-and-coming (Pearse Lyons and Boann). Some are huge (Midleton, Tullamore, Bushmills), others are tiny (Boann). There’s one in a church (Pearse Lyons) and another in a castle (Slane). So needless to say, there’s a whole lot to experience! If you’re planning a whiskey focused trip to Ireland, here’s what to know about the most popular distilleries.
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Teeling Distillery in Dublin
It may not be historic in the “old” sense, but Teeling Distillery in Dublin is still historic. Established in 2015, Teeling Distillery was the first new distillery in Dublin in 125 years. Opened by two brothers with a family history of Irish whiskey, Teeling immediately made a name for itself and its whiskey instantly competed with the more established Irish whiskey brands.
Why You Should Go :: There are four types of Irish whiskey (single malt, single grain, single pot still and blended), and Teeling Distillery makes all four of them. That means you can taste all four types while you’re there. Plus the distillery is right in the heart of Dublin, so it’s in a tourist-friendly place you’ll likely already be going. Book Teeling Tours here.
Related :: Touring Teeling Distillery in Dublin
Pearse Lyons Distillery in Dublin
How’s this for a distillery with an interesting twist? Pearse Lyons Distillery in Dublin is creatively located in a former church! Built in 1859, St. James Church had long fallen into ruin by the time Pearse Lyons and his wife purchased it in 2014. They spent years renovating it, using the same techniques originally used to build the church, even re-opening the quarry that made the original roof tiles.
Before focusing on whiskey in Ireland, founder Pearse Lyons revived the Lexington Brewing Company and opened Town Branch Distillery, both in Kentucky. So he definitely has whiskey experience! In Dublin, Pearse Lyons Distillery makes malt and grain whiskey, bottled as blended whiskey and single malt, along with gin.
Why You Should Go :: Pearse Lyon’s fermentation and distilling takes place right in the heart of the church, while whiskey-themed stained glass shine in the background. It’s truly a beautiful sight! Plus you’ll learn about the history of the Liberties Area of Dublin and the cemetery dating to the 13th Century, containing thousands of burials on top of each other. Tour Pearse Lyons and Teeling together here.
Related :: Why You Should Visit Pearse Lyons Distillery in Dublin
Midleton Distillery Near Cork
You can’t talk about Irish whiskey without mentioning Midleton Distillery, the distillery that saved Irish Whiskey. Located in Midleton, about an hour’s drive from Cork, Midleton Distillery makes some of the most famous Irish whiskey: Jameson, Red Breast, Method & Madness, and Powers. Originally a woolen mill, it was converted to a distillery in 1825 with the world’s largest pot still.
In 1975 the distillery stopped operating in favor of a new distillery next door. It housed the recently-formed Irish Distillers, a combination of three former rivals who banned together so Irish whiskey wouldn’t die. Today the original distillery is a visitor’s center that conducts tours and tastings featuring the many whiskeys made at Midleton.
Why You Should Go:: Midleton Distillery is absolutely fascinating, from the huge pot still to the old grain houses, to the miniature experimental stills, and everything in between. Plus the tasting room has dozens of whiskeys to try, and if you can’t decide you can build your own flight for a surprisingly reasonable price. Book a driver and tour Midleton Distillery here.
Related :: 5 Surprising Facts About Midleton Distillery in Cork
Tullamore D.E.W. Distillery Near Dublin
The world’s second most popular Irish whiskey (behind Jameson) is Tullamore D.E.W. Originally established in 1829 in the small town of Tullamore, about an hour’s drive from Dublin. In 1954, production moved to Midleton Distillery (see the whole “saving Irish whiskey” thing above). But when its popularity spiked decades later, production moved back to the town of Tullamore. A brand new, huge distillery campus opened there in 2014.
It’s easy to think a shiny new distillery might lack the same charm as old or historic distilleries. But I was impressed by the tour at Tullamore. The huge fermentation tanks and beautiful copper stills inspire awe with their size, as does the warehouse. Their story is not just about the revival of a whiskey brand, but an entire town dependent on the distillery.
Why You Should Go :: Tullamore is quite a contrast from other whiskey distilleries in Ireland for its sheer size and newness. The tour starts off with an Irish coffee — always a plus! And includes whiskey along the way, including in a snug in the warehouse surrounded by thousands of whiskey barrels. Book Tullamore Tours with transportation from Dublin here.
Related :: 5 Cool Things About the Tullamore Distillery Tour
Slane Distillery Near Dublin
Is there anything more quintessentially Irish than a whiskey distillery in a castle?! Well Slane Distillery makes whiskey on the grounds of Slane Castle, built in 1703.
Slane Castle is a picturesque castle located in the Boyne Valley, about an hour’s drive from Dublin. It’s home to the Conyngham Family — I mean the family literally lives there! It’s best known for hosting an annual rock concert on the massive front lawn that’s a bucket list venue for some of pop music’s most famous stars. The concert attracts thousands of attendees to the tiny town of Slane.
In 2009, the Conynghams decided to try their hand at whiskey-making. They converted the horse stables and nearby buildings into a distillery, where they make Slane Irish Whiskey. There’s currently only one bottling of Slane — a triple-casked blend of whiskeys aged in three different casks. But the distillery offers a cask strength version and, if you’re lucky, a 40th Anniversary special release to taste.
Why You Should Go: Slane Distillery is a juxtaposition between historic buildings and modern technology, making the tour a fun experience. (Fun fact: their continuous still is split into three columns to fit in the historic building!) And you can combine distillery and castle tours if you want to see both! Book Slane distillery tours here.
Bushmills Distillery Near Belfast
When it comes to historical distilleries, Bushmills Distillery out-dates them all — literally! Granted a distilling license in 1608, Bushmills Distillery in Northern Ireland claims to be the oldest active distillery in the world.
Even though the distillery you can visit today was built in 1784, it still puts Bushmills alongside some of the world’s oldest distilleries. And the historical campus is massive: they have 46(!) warehouses — each with 50,000 casks! Even though Bushmills is one of the most recognizable names in Irish whiskey, I was surprised at the number of whiskeys offered there. The post-tour tasting was a fun exploration, including some 21 and 25 year whiskeys!
Why You Should Go: Seeing inside Bushmills is experiencing whiskey history. It’s an icon of Irish whiskey and it’s the oldest licensed distillery in the world. So obviously it’s worth a visit! It’s worth noting that photos aren’t allowed inside, but it’ll just make you focus on the tour that much closer. Book a driver from Dublin and Bushmills tour here.
Related :: What to Know Before Visiting Bushmills Distillery
Dingle Distillery in County Kerry
Even though Dingle Distillery is small, its whiskey is rather well-known. Started in 2012 by three beer brewers, Dingle Distillery makes single pot still whiskey, single malt whiskey, gin, and vodka in the southwest corner of Ireland, in County Kerry.
Dingle Distillery recently resumed tours of the distillery, which include tastes of all three types of spirits made there. We didn’t visit Dingle so I can’t personally vouch for the tour, but if you’re in the area you might as well check it out!
Wishlist Distilleries in Ireland: Glendalough, Cooley, Waterford, and Boann
Unfortunately Ireland is home to some outstanding distilleries that aren’t open to the public — yet. Glendalough, with their interesting casks (like that mizunara finish!) and deliciously beautiful gin (it’s pink!), is not currently offering tours. Cooley — who makes Connemara (peated Irish whiskey!), Kilbeggan, Tyrconnell, and others — is closed to the public.
Waterford Distillery, making headlines with its single farm origin whiskey, is also not open to the public. But if you haven’t tried their single malt using barley from a specific vintage of barley (think wine vintages) — especially tasting it side-by-side other farms — find an Irish bar to taste it as soon as possible!
And Boann, a brand new distillery already making huge waves in the whiskey world (and rightfully so; but more on that later), also not yet open to the public. But hopefully they will let visitors peek inside soon, so until then, enjoy them at an Irish pub!
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Irish whiskey is definitely experiencing a revival. And I can’t wait to see what comes out of it! While visiting all the whiskey distilleries in Ireland is exciting, even just tasting all the Irish whiskeys is fun. So if you can’t make it to all these distilleries, find a good Irish whiskey bar so you can at least taste them. If you’re in Cork, I highly recommend The Shelbourne!
Related :: How to Plan a Whiskey Trip to Ireland, What to Eat in Ireland, and more Irish Whiskey Distilleries
