Things to do in Ireland’s Ancient East, Ireland’s Ancient East: The Best Distilleries

Ballykeefe is situated in the heartland of Ireland, adjacent to its medieval capital, Kilkenny city. It is steeped in a historic heritage and tradition, holding the unique distinction of being the birthplace of Irish Whiskey. It is from our area that the first written account of distilling in Ireland comes in 1324. It was written in the Red Book of Ossory. The word “whiskey” is an Anglicisation of the Gaelic phrase, uisce beatha, meaning “water of life”. At Ballykeefe we are now bringing a truly special “water of life” from centuries past to a new generation for their pleasure and good health. The tour; You will see up close every step in the process and also enjoy and have explained the many different aromas and smells at each stage of the brewing and distilling process. Many secrets will be revealed by our award winning Master Distiller . How he makes the “cut” to create the ''Spirit of Kilkenny''

An unfolding story as unique as our smooth and flavourful, triple-casked whiskey, Slane Distillery is housed within the 250-year-old stables of the iconic Slane Castle estate. The new distillery pays homage to the resilient nature of our heritage and the surrounding lands that we call home. Allow our storytellers to immerse you into our wonderful world of whiskey. The fabrics of the Conyngham family tapestry are carefully woven through an interactive and immersive tour of our state of the art working distillery. Finish the tour in the best way possible, with a taste of our signature triple casked blend, Slane Irish Whiskey.

Spend an hour on an entertaining, fun experience learning all about Mead, the drink of Celtic Ireland’s Kings & Chieftains. Ideally located in the historic and food-loving haven of Kinsale on the Wild Atlantic Way, Kinsale Mead is Ireland’s first meadery in almost 200 years. Using a blend of ancient recipes and modern techniques, Kate and Denis Dempsey have resurrected a love of Mead through their sustainably made, award-winning meads created at their family run meadery. Highlights of a tour at Kinsale Mead Co. include: • Insights into Kinsale Meads: light and refreshing, fermented off dry (12% ABV wine strength) • Myths & Legends: hear stories of ancient legends and the colourful history of mead in Ireland • Bee Judgments: how Ireland’s Bee Laws protected the bees, taste three unique raw honeys • Process: modern mead making from fermentation, throthrough to maturation and bottling • Tasting: sample award-winning meads and cocktails in the Meadery’s oak bar tasting room

Located in the coastal town of Clonakilty, on the Wild Atlantic Way, Clonakilty Distillery is a maritime distillery, owned and run by the Scully family. The Scullys have farmed this coastal land for eight generations, growing barley on the family land at the base of Galley Head Lighthouse. This unspoilt marine environment provides a complexity to the soil that permeates through to each individual grain. Using Water drawn deep from within the untouched rock formations of the ocean cliffs, coupled with the fresh Atlantic sea air, the Scully family have created a range of whiskeys that honour their unique provenance. Discover the people and place behind these award-winning products through a tour of this world class facility.

The Powerscourt Distillery is the home of Fercullen Irish Whiskey. Located in an 18th century Mill House on Powerscourt Estate in Enniskerry, the Powerscourt Distillery is set against a backdrop of the breathtakingly beautiful Wicklow Mountains and The Great Sugarloaf. Only a two-minute walk from Powerscourt House, Gardens and Avoca. A seven-minute walk from Powerscourt Hotel and Powerscourt Golf Club. Globally recognised, award-winning Master Distiller Noel Sweeney oversees all aspect of spirit production and Irish Whiskey released from Powerscourt Distillery. This is a fully immersive Irish Whiskey experience as you visit an operating Irish Whiskey distillery and on-site bonded maturation warehouse before sampling some of the award-winning Fercullen Irish Whiskeys in one of the intimate tasting rooms. The visitor centre includes an AV room, six tasting rooms, gift shop and café/bar facilities with Whiskey tasting, cocktails and food pairings. FREE parking onsite.44 Bus to Enniskerry

In the heart of Ireland, just over 1 hour from Dublin lies the town of Kilbeggan, home to the world's oldest distillery, established in 1757. It is the quintessential Irish whiskey distillery - whitewashed walls, weathered slate roof, brick chimney stack, creaking timber water wheel, even regular ghost sightings. This is no mere "visitor centre" but a real working distillery run by a team of young enthusiastic craftspeople (and a few wise old heads too), skilled in the traditional ways of making Irish whiskey. Open 7 days (except during Christmas and New Year). Whiskey Bar. Gift Shop. Free parking.

Visit Jameson Distillery Midleton and enjoy a host of unique experiences - from a Premium Whiskey Tasting to a workshop at our state of the art Jameson Irish Whiskey Academy. Today, every drop of Jameson enjoyed anywhere in the world is produced here, just 20 minutes’ drive from Cork City. Take a hosted tour of the distillery which brings the fascinating story of Jameson’s rich heritage to life. You will learn about the hard-working people and field-to-glass processes responsible for the whiskey that bears John Jameson’s name. Our Behind The Scenes Tour gives you access to our Micro Distillery, Cooperage, Maturation Warehouse & Distiller’s Cottage.

Temporarily Closed Situated right in the heart of Ireland, there is an incredible experience that has been waiting for you since 1829. Join us at the newly renovated home of Tullamore D.E.W. Irish Whiskey and immerse yourself in the history and magic that lies inside the walls of this 19th century bonded warehouse, where our whiskey making tradition began.Located on the banks of the grand canal in Tullamore, the Visitor Centre has been beautifully restored to all its original glory. Once inside, you can enjoy a true Irish welcome and a guided tour which blends both audiovisual and traditional storytelling to help you see, smell, taste and understand the craft, time and passion dedicated to each glass of Tullamore D.E.W. Irish Whiskey.The Tullamore D.E.W. Visitor Centre is just over an hour from Dublin, located off the main Dublin to Galway motorway. You can also get to us by rail - we’re just a stone’s throw away from the Tullamore railway station. So call in today and join us in raising a glass of complimentary Tullamore D.E.W. Irish Whiskey. We will be here waiting to welcome you.