Ireland’s whiskey trail

Kick things off at the home of Ireland’s most famous whiskey, the Jameson Distillery in the buzzy Smithfield district of Dublin. Founded way back in 1780, today the former factory is a world-leading distillery experience with a range of bookable activities, including a Jameson blending class and a premium whiskey tasting. Complete your visit with a tipple in the striking bar, which features Jameson bottle chandeliers!

Next up is a trip to the Irish Whiskey Museum, which is centrally located beside Trinity College Dublin. If you’re interested in the history of whiskey then you’re in for a real treat. Journey through four different rooms, each of which represents a different period of Ireland’s often turbulent whiskey history. The tour ends with a tasting of several key whiskeys from around the island. The gift shop here is a great spot to pick up a unique gift for the whiskey-lover in your life, too.

The last stop of the day is one of Dublin’s newest whiskey experiences, located at one of its most historic sites. Roe & Co Distillery in the happening Liberties area is a modern whiskey brand housed in a former Guinness Power Station. In fact, the brand name honours a former whiskey-maker in these parts, George Roe, who was Ireland’s largest whiskey exporter in the 19th century. Situated right beside the Guinness Storehouse, Roe & Co has reclaimed its place in the heart of Dublin’s legendary brewing and distilling quarter. Experiences include whiskey blending and cocktail-making workshops.

When the Teeling Whiskey Distillery opened in the lively Liberties area of Dublin in 2015, it became the city’s first new distillery in over 125 years! Thankfully, it lives up to the hype, with a tour that takes in the complete whiskey-making process and ends with a tasty selection of Teeling’s award-winning tipples. You can also grab a bite to eat in the Phoenix Café which serves up local artisan foodie treats. The distillery is open seven days a week with tours every 20 minutes.

Next up is a distillery with a jaw-dropping location. The Pearse Lyons Distillery – also in the Liberties – is housed in the beautifully restored 18th century Church of St James. Even the church’s stained glass windows have been updated to depict the whiskey-making process! A wide range of expert-led tours are available, including a food pairing experience and a cocktail-making class. But it’s the stunningly unique church-cum-distillery that’ll live long in the memory.

The last stop of the day is the Dublin Liberties Distillery. A tour here promises stories steeped in folklore from the area. Hear tales of local rebels and rascals who roamed the streets and alleys of Dublin’s historic distilling quarter down the centuries. The giant copper stills are also quite a sight to behold as you explore the working distillery floor. The cosy bar with exposed brick walls and a high, wooden-beamed roof is a great place to savour a few drinks at the end. Plus the shop has a good selection of whiskey merchandise on offer.

Is there a whiskey distillery on a finer site in Ireland? Slane Irish Whiskey Distillery is nestled in the lush Boyne Valley right beside majestic Slane Castle. A tour and tasting here mixes ancient distilling techniques with cutting-edge modern technology. Savouring a triple-casked, extra sherry wood whiskey on these historic grounds is a moment to remember.

The small town of Kilbeggan in County Westmeath is home to a BIG whiskey. Founded in 1757, the Kilbeggan Distilling Company has been at the heart of this tight-knit community for over 250 years! On approach to the distillery, the sight of the towering smokestack tells you that this is a place steeped in history. From a cask bottling to an Irish coffee masterclass, several fun experiences await here. And a note for Irish whiskey aficionados, this is the oldest licensed whiskey distillery in the Republic of Ireland. How’s that for a bucket list item?

Round off day three with a visit to one of the biggest Irish whiskey brands globally – Tullamore D.E.W.. The tour here bills itself as the ultimate distillery experience and it doesn’t disappoint. From the Irish coffee upon arrival and the blending lab experiments to tasting whiskey straight from the cask in the warehouse snug, this rich and varied tour has something for everyone.

Begin day four in style at the Powerscourt Distillery on the exquisite Powerscourt Estate in County Wicklow, the Garden of Ireland. The distillery is home to Fercullen Irish Whiskey, a range of small batch and aged single malt whiskeys. Our suggestion? Go for the food pairing tour, which combines the award-winning Fercullen range with charcuterie and local Wicklow cheeses. As one of the new distilleries on the block, sustainability is at the core of what they do at Powerscourt. The distillery incorporates the estate’s old 18th century Mill House and adheres to a number of green initiatives including Origin Green Ireland.

Ballykeefe Distillery is idyllically situated in the County Kilkenny countryside, close to the medieval city of Kilkenny. Uniquely, it’s a family farm distillery, so a personal and intimate tour is guaranteed. Hear secrets from the Master Distiller as you are guided through the complete distilling process, from the brewhouse to the copper pot stills to the bottling plant. Then enjoy a tasting in a charmingly converted stables.

It’s been 700 years since the first known written reference to Irish whiskey distilling appeared. In the Red Book of Ossary, a gorgeous 14th century manuscript penned by Bishop of Ossary Richard Ledrede, there are references to “aqua vitae”, which became “uisce beatha” in Irish and later whiskey in English. This remarkable work is on public display for the first time in its history at St Canice’s Cathedral in Kilkenny city – an essential stop for true whiskey scholars.

A distillery that does things a little differently can be found in Waterford city. Waterford Distillery is home to Waterford Whisky, a barley-forward, natural whiskey brand that partners with individual farms around the island of Ireland to produce original and award-winning products. A terroir tour here highlights the organic and biodynamic processes that convert purely Irish-grown barley into some seriously tasty whiskeys. If you’re interested in picking up a bottle from a certain county in Ireland, this is the place to do it.

Blackwater Distillery bills itself as Ireland’s most innovative craft distillery, and when you see its range of whiskeys, gins, vodkas and more, you’ll agree. Nestled beside the Blackwater River in County Waterford’s serene countryside, the distillery here is housed in a lovingly refurbished 1950s hardware store. You’ll uncover the ancient art of Irish whiskey production before sampling the final product – a delicious selection of contemporary Irish spirits.

The Midleton Distillery Experience in County Cork is home to some of the most famous Irish whiskeys of the lot, including Redbreast and Powers. Experiences here include a distiller's apprentice tour and a premium whiskey tasting. The world’s largest pot still is also on site, a must-see for whiskey fans for sure! The distillery itself is also the biggest one on the island of Ireland. It opened in 1975, when Jameson needed a larger home than its original Bow St Distillery in Dublin.

Clonakilty Distillery is scenically located by the waterfront in the colourful town of the same name. It’s a small, family-run craft distillery, so expect a warm Irish welcome and a personal touch. From the story room and the cask room to the speakeasy bar, the tour and tasting here is a well-rounded experience. On such a gorgeous stretch of the Wild Atlantic Way where land meets sea, it’s no wonder they manage to forge memorable spirits from such a pure landscape.

Is this the most beautifully situated distillery in Ireland? Killarney Brewing and Distilling Co lies by the shores of the Lakes of Killarney, surrounded by Killarney National Park and with the MacGillycuddy’s Reeks on the horizon. The Killarney Irish Whiskey made here has notes of spice and apple and is made with a combination of aged malt and grain whiskey. Enjoy a tour and tasting before a spot of lunch in the chic and modern restaurant and bar. Throughout your time here, panoramic views of the famously pretty Kerry countryside provide the perfect backdrop.

Skellig Six18 Distillery gets its name from the hardy monks who built a monastery on Skellig Michael in the 6th century. You see, these monks crafted six hundred and eighteen steps to the top of the jagged rock, where they founded their monastic settlement which today holds UNESCO World Heritage Site status. That’s a lot of bombast for the whiskey to live up to! Thankfully, the Atlantic air-aged liquid has a deliciously Irish peated flavour profile. Tours here are led by a knowledgeable local storyteller, so expect a few myths and legends thrown in alongside a deep knowledge of the whiskey-making process in this remote corner of the island.

Dingle Distillery is an independent and artisan distillery in the ever-popular tourist hotspot of Dingle. Founded in 2012, the first whiskey was released in 2015, so this is a relatively new Irish whiskey on the block. If you like a blander-tasting dram, look elsewhere. The distillers here like flavoursome tipples to remember. Quality over quantity is the idea – pick up a bottle to see for yourself.

From County Kerry, journey northwards to County Galway and the Micil Distillery by the shores of Galway Bay. This family-run operation has been distilling spirits on Ireland’s rugged west coast for six generations and 170 years. So they know a thing or two about crafting a tasty whiskey! Cocktail, whiskey and distillery experiences are all available. Micil whiskey is made using 100% Irish grain and the peated grain is malted with turf from their family farm for a product that’s truly authentic to the local area.

Loch Measc Distillery is picturesquely located by the shores of Lough Mask in County Mayo. It’s all about tiny batches of perfectly crafted whiskey at this micro-distillery. The tour here is one hour long and takes in the wild beauty of the surrounding landscape. For a small, quieter distillery experience, this genteel spot is a good option.

In the heart of County Galway, Ahascragh Distillery is Ireland’s first zero emissions distillery! Power at the site comes from an innovative use of wind and solar energy. Continuing the sustainable theme, the distillery is housed in a restored 19th century mill, which had been derelict from the 1950s until recently. For travellers who like to go green when they can, Ahascragh is an ideal choice for a distillery tour. A delightful little café serves a range of breakfast and lunch options.

Lough Ree Distillery can be found in County Longford. Known for their Bridge Series of whiskeys, their new Bart’s brand whiskey is one to check out. At 46% ABV, this non chill-filtered whiskey with no added colour packs a punch. While no whiskey distillery tour is available here, they do host a Sling Shot Gin School which champions their own award-winning gin. Fancy crafting your very own gin with all sorts of botanicals? This is the spot to do it!

When The Shed Distillery opened in 2014, it was the first new distillery in the region for 101 years! The brainchild of inventor and experimenter, PJ Rigney, The Shed produces a range of spirits, including Gunpowder Irish Gin and Drumshanbo Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey. A tour here is led by an expert brand ambassador and finishes up with a drink in the Insta-worthy botanical glasshouse. Add a bar, gift shop and café into the mix and you’ve got a top attraction in lovely Leitrim.

Sliabh Liag Distillers is headquartered at their Ardara Distillery in the historic town of the same name. From their Silke range of smokey Irish whiskeys to small runs of limited edition single malts, the Sliabh Liag brands are putting Donegal back on the Irish whiskey map. On the tour, you’ll learn how the distillery draws inspiration from an almost-lost tradition of producing smoky whiskey – a style for which this region was once famous. If you enjoy a whiff of smoke with your whiskey (more often associated with Scotch whisky), then this is the perfect place to get a behind-the-scenes look at how it’s produced.

Want to visit the oldest licensed whiskey distillery in the world? Then head to the Old Bushmills Distillery in County Antrim, which was granted a license to distil way back in 1608! For the last 400 years, they’ve been perfecting the art of whiskey-making, which is more than evident on a tour and tasting at this legendary whiskey site. The Causeway Coast is also close by, if you fancy seeing some coastal wonders after a tipple.

Located in a wing of Belfast’s historic Crumlin Road Gaol, McConnell’s Distillery has to be one of the most intriguing distillery destinations in Northern Ireland. After years of decline, the brand – which dates back to 1776 – is now being restored and championed across the Titanic city and beyond. A tour here will take you on a behind-the-scenes journey to see how the once-mighty whisky (they don’t use the ‘e’) is furnishing its legacy anew.

Choose from signature, premium, dock and legacy tours at Titanic Distillers, Belfast’s first new working distillery in nearly 90 years, located in the very shipyard where the Titanic was built. Visitors even clock in upon arrival to the site, just like dock workers did over a century ago! See how the historic Titanic Pumphouse has been transformed into a modern distillery which produces some of the best new premium and pot still Irish whiskeys in the market.

The Echlinville Distillery in County Down takes you on a whiskey journey from field to glass – all on their family farm which they have been cultivating for generations. Each tour option takes in a lovely stroll around the pretty Echlinville Estate. They grow, harvest and floor malt all of their own barley here for whiskey production, meaning the final product is truly forged from the local landscape. Round off your trip with two drinks of your choice in the bar.

Award-winning blended Irish whiskey is the name of the game at the Hinch Distillery just outside of Lisburn. Visitors can expect an up-close view of the entire whiskey-making process on a tour. From the Ingredients Room and the Mash House to the bespoke tasting area, it’s a detailed and well-rounded experience. There’s also a gin school experience available should you prefer a whiter shade of spirit!

Rademon Estate Distillery is set on 500 acres in the hills of County Down. The original estate here dates back to 1667. The distillery is a relatively new addition in comparison, opening in 2012. A whiskey tour here is led by the head distiller and takes in the sights, sounds and smells of a fully working craft distillery. Whiskey innovation is the order of the day here, as evidenced by the range of whiskeys in production, including single malt, rye and malt, and pot still varieties. You even get a Shortcross branded whiskey glass to take home with you, a lovely memento from your visit.

Beautifully situated in the Mourne Mountains, Killowen Distillery is hard at work making small batch, copper pot distilled Irish whiskey. This is a truly artisan production process, as handmade pot stills are flame-fed to create a unique spirit. It’s a small distillery so a tour is quite the personalised experience, with a few drams of whiskey to enjoy along the way, of course!

Thirsty to learn more? Head to Irish Whiskey 360° where Irish whiskey’s people, places, culture and traditions are explored in fascinating detail.