Since 2015, more than 39 new independent distillers have gone into operation around the country, joining the ranks of the handful of large long-established international firms. Here’s information about eight distilleries in Ireland’s South. Five of them offer tours.
Dingle Distillery tour (Dingle): https://dingle-distillery.appointedd.com/
A side venture started in 1996 by the owners of Porterhouse Brewing, they filled their first barrel in 2012 and offered their first release in 2015, which marked the begining of the small distillery movement in Ireland. Tours are not offered at present due to the pandemic. Visiting: distillery is a 15 minute walk from Dingle town: Take Irish Rail to Tralee; then take the 275 bus to Dingle (one-hour bus ride). Also: Cork City tour bus operators offer a day trip to Dingle.
Jameson distillery Tours (tours are offered at both Bow St., Dublin visitor center, and Midleton (Cork Area) facilities: https://www.jamesonwhiskey.com
Midleton tour is “semi-experience” (visitors get to see non-operating pilot still, and a small representative barrel aging facility). Open 7 Days. Various price points €19 to €60. Also there is a master-class experience (not currently offered). The Midleton distillery is one of Ireland’s oldest and largest facilities: Jameson, Redbreast, Powers, Yellow Spot and Paddy are produced here. Visiting: 18 minute walk from the Midleton train station, close-by to the bus stop. Cork City tour bus operators offer a day trip.
Clonakilty Distillery tour (Cork area): https://clonakiltydistillery.ie/the-distillery-experience/
Actual distillery tour. Open Wednesday-Sunday. Various price points €18 to €60. Visit: Hourly bus service from Cork City via Bus Éireann #236, or the West Cork Connect bus. Distillery is a 5 minute walk from downtown.
Waterford Distillery (Waterford): https://waterfordwhisky.com/element/the-facilitator-virtual-tour/
Situated in a former Guinness brewery, at the North end of the quay. They don’t offer tours but have an elaborate online virtual tour.
West Cork Distillers (Skibbereen, West Cork) https://www.westcorkdistillers.com/distillery
You can request a visit by email info@westcorkdistillers.com. Information is on their website.
Killarney Distilling Company (On N72, a few miles West of Killarney) https://killarneydistilling.com/
A side venture of the well-known Killarney Brewing Company (which is a short walk south of Downtown Killarney and open to the pubic). Not giving tours. They filled their first cask in 2020, and are planning to commence bottling at the end of 2023.
Blacks of Kinsale Brewery and Distillery (Kinsale, south of Cork City) https://www.blacksbrewery.com/tours/ Black’s Brewery expanded into distilling in 2015, first by making gin, and in 2018 they added spiced rum to the lineup. They filled their first whiskey casks in 2020 which need at least three years in the cellar before packaging. Tours are currently suspended due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Visit: Bus Éireann #226 (the airport bus) offer a 50 minute ride every hour Also: Cork City tour bus operators offer a day trip to Kinsale.
Blackwater Distillery (Ballyduff, West, Waterford) https://blackwaterdistillery.ie/experiences/visit-us/
Blackwater started operations in 2015 with gin making, and expanded into whiskey in 2018. Tours of their unusual, traditionally-designed facility are offered on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 11 am and 2 pm, €15 per person, reservations are required.
Links for more information:
Stories and Sips: guide to Irish distillers https://storiesandsips.com/irish-whiskey-distilleries/