There has been a renewal in the making of whiskey in Dublin and in Ireland in recent years. The golden age of Irish whiskey was curtailed by the Prohibition Period, and now there is a renaissance with new and revived distilleries appearing.
Irish Whiskey Arises – four distillery tours in Dublin
Pearse Lyons Distillery
Pearse Lyons Distillery was established in the old St James Church and it has a distinctive glass spire which lights up at night. The church and graveyard have a long association with the city.
There are guided tours from Thursday to Sunday, 12 noon to 17.00 on the hour. Saturdays are always busy, book in advance. Visitors can choose to try three whiskies for €20, four whiskies for €25 and five whiskies for €30. Another experience included in the tour is the tasting of one of the three new gins produced by the distillery. Bespoke tours and tastings are also available.
St. James Church, St. James Street, Dublin 8, (01) 691 6000.
Teeling Distillery
The Teeling Distillery is located in one of Dublin’s oldest squares, Newmarket in the Liberties, and was established in 2015. It has a distinctive eagle weathervane, the logo for Teeling. Since opening, the Teeling Distillery has won many awards for their whiskey; it was recently awarded Sustainable Distillery of the year in the Icons of Irish Whiskey by Whisky Magazine. Tours are seven days a week, from 10am – 17.40 and cost €17, €22 or €30 depending on the whiskies you sample. There is a shop and café on site for visitors.
Newmarket, Dublin 8, (01) 531 0888.
Roe and Co Distillery
Roe and Co distillery is in the redeveloped Guinness power station and is a striking redbrick building. The name remembers George Roe and Co, a famous Irish distillery from the golden age of Irish whiskey. Visitors to the distillery can take part in a Flavours Experience where you learn how to make whiskey-based cocktails, €23. There is the Blending Experience, where in room 106 you can learn all that is required to make a great whiskey, €28. The Distillery is open, Thursday and Friday 15.00 – 19.00, Saturday 13.00 – 18.30 and Sunday 13.00 – 17.00.
St. James’s Street, Dublin 8, (01) 6435999.
Jameson Distillery
The grand dame of Irish distilleries is the Jameson Distillery in Bow Street, Dublin, which was established in 1780. The building is a classic cut-stone edifice from the 18th century. Not only can you do a guided tour at Jameson Distillery but you can learn to make cocktails or draw your very own bottle of whiskey. After having a drink at the bar, you can leave with a bottle of the golden amber with your name on the label or some of the distinctive Jameson merchandise. Tours cost from €25. The distillery opens from 11am every day, closing Sunday to Thursday 17.30, Friday and Saturday 18.30, with tours every 30 minutes.
Bow Street, Dublin 7, (01) 8072355 .
