17 Of The Best Whiskey Distilleries In Ireland To Visit 2023

The best whiskey distilleries in Ireland are a hotly debated topic on the internet.

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While there’s nothing wrong with ordering a great Irish whiskey at a bar or pouring one at home, a tour of a working distillery is far more immersive.

Those who embark on an Ireland whiskey tour will be able to learn how the famous old drink is made as well as hear some tales of craftsmanship and local history along the way.

Ireland’s top whiskey distilleries (that you can visit)

From the 400-year-old Bushmills on Ireland’s far north coast to the rugged Atlantic beauty of Clonakilty in County Cork, here are 17 of Ireland’s best whiskey distilleries to visit in 2022.

1. Pearse Lyons Distillery

17 Of The Best Whiskey Distilleries In Ireland To Visit 2023 — Photo via Pearse Lyons

A distillery in the midst of a church? Yes, you read that right. Founded by the late Pearse Lyons in Dublin’s Liberties district, his boutique distillery is a one-of-a-kind place to learn about the brewing and distilling processes.

There are four separate tours to choose from (including a VIP tour led by the head distiller) inside the impressively restored St James’ Church on James St, so you’ll have plenty of ways to discover the secret behind Lyons’ style.

2. Tullamore Distillery D.E.W.

Tullamore D.E.W, founded in 1829 and later flourishing under general manager Daniel E Williams (hence the D.E.W. in the name), is the world’s second largest selling brand of Irish whiskey.

The 105-minute (I know, very precise! The tour is now held in a cutting-edge distillery, and you’ll be greeted with an Irish Coffee before embarking on your journey.

Take a tour and learn about the characters behind this famous old brand, as well as the art of making Irish whiskey.

3. Teeling Whiskey Distillery

The Teeling Whiskey Distillery, Dublin’s first new distillery in 125 years, is only a stone’s throw from the original family distillery.

Teeling opened in 2015 in the heart of Dublin’s historic distilling district, the Golden Triangle, and is part of the area’s vibrant whiskey revival.

Book a tour to learn about Walter Teeling’s original craft distillery on Marrowbone Lane, where he served drams of his finest to locals in 1782.

Fortunately, this promises to be a far more pleasant experience than industrial 18th century Dublin.

4. Roe & Co Distillery

The Dublin whiskey revival is heating up, and Roe & Co Distillery is the latest to join the fray.

Roe & Co, named after legendary 19th-century whiskey pioneer George Roe, debuted in 2019 at the iconic and imposing Guinness Power House.

Take a tour to learn more about George Roe, the golden age of Irish whiskey, and why his famous distillery shut down in 1926. If whiskey isn’t your thing, there’s also a cocktail bar (though it very much should be).

5. Jameson Distillery Bow St.

The world’s most visited whiskey tour is also owned by Ireland’s most famous whiskey.

The distillery on Bow St in Smithfield, founded by John Jameson in 1780, has been a fixture of Dublin life for over two centuries.

Even though Jameson relocated the majority of their operations to County Cork in 1975, tourists continue to flock to this historic location.

Tours include (of course) whiskey tasting, storytelling, and a complimentary drink at JJ’s Bar.

6. Jameson Distillery Midleton

Finish the Jameson whiskey story by visiting Midleton in County Cork for a truly vivid glimpse into the company’s processes and secrets.

Almost 50 years after the big move from Dublin, the proximity to freshwater, barley farmers, and extra space gave the company plenty of room to grow.

The Midleton distillery, located less than 30 minutes from Cork, is a great place to spend a day away from the city.

Take a deep dive into this Irish icon with their Behind the Scenes tour, a two-hour extended tour that will leave you knowing everything there is to know about Jameson.

7. Slane Irish Whiskey Distillery

Slane’s whiskey is often associated with epic gigs and huge crowds, but it’s also big on taste (though an enormous concert probably isn’t the best place to appreciate all its notes and nuances).

The Boyne Valley’s clear water and lush soil make an excellent foundation for Slane’s triple casked whiskey.

The immersive distillery tour is an hour long and takes place in the 250-year-old stables of Slane Castle, which is only a 50-minute drive from Dublin. You can also combine your distillery tour with a visit to the famous old castle.

Travel tip: I know several people who went here last year. By all accounts, this is one of Ireland’s best whiskey distilleries that is still slightly under the radar – get here soon!

8. Kilbeggan Distilling Co.

Kilbeggan Distillery in County Westmeath has had a turbulent history, but the people of Kilbeggan have ensured that the old place does not fade away.

It claims to be Ireland’s oldest licensed distillery, and after a painful closure in 1953, it was revived by locals 30 years later, who have kept it going ever since.

Take a tour to learn the inspiring story of Kilbeggan’s perseverance and to sample some of their finest.

9. Sliabh Liag Distillers

Sliabh Liag Distillers is located on the rugged Atlantic coast of south Donegal.

They take pride in being the first distilling company in this part of the world for 175 years, and having a distillery located in a beautiful yet savage coastal landscape.

Only the gin distillery is currently open for tours (though you wouldn’t say no to that), but the Ardara whiskey distillery should be operational by late 2020.

10. Powerscourt Distillery

Powerscourt Distillery is conveniently located at the foot of the Wicklow Mountains, a scenic spot only a short drive south of Dublin.

This unique distillery, housed in The Old Mill House, was once at the heart of the local farming community. Tours are available Friday through Sunday.

If you want to play golf, there’s a course right next door, but you’ll need a serious handicap if you take the whiskey tour first.

11. The Dublin Liberties Distillery

Back in Dublin, the Dublin Liberties Distillery is located in the district that bears its name.

A modern, cutting-edge distillery on Mill St, the visitor experience is immersive and includes a cocktail bar if you want to stay after.

You’ll hear all the stories about the Liberties district, which dates back hundreds of years when it was outside of Dublin’s official city limits (and thus its laws and taxes). Expect tales of commerce, conflict, and excess.

12. The Old Bushmills Distillery (the oldest of the many whiskey distilleries in Ireland)

The Bushmills Distillery has stood proudly on Ireland’s wild north coast for over 400 years, making it one of the country’s oldest whiskey distilleries. It claims to be the world’s oldest licensed distillery, having been founded in 1608.

Bushmills is an Irish whiskey icon, made with water from the River Bush and named after the mills that produced the barley.

If unusual rock formations are your thing, the remarkable Giants Causeway is only a short distance away from the distillery.

13. Waterford Distillery

Waterford Distillery’s state-of-the-art facility on the banks of the Suir River has been distilling since 2015. Inside, however, some of Ireland’s finest single malts are produced, and visits are by appointment only.

Waterford, according to owner Mark Reynier, has the best barley in the world. If you want to know if that’s true, you’ll have to travel to Ireland’s sunny south-eastern coast.

14. Royal Oak Distillery

Never, ever say that distilleries can’t multitask. The Royal Oak Distillery in County Carlow is the first to produce all three types of Irish whiskey – pot still, malt, and grain – under one roof.

It’s also Ireland’s largest manual distillery, so there’s plenty of space to appreciate Royal Oak’s many strings.

There are three tour options available, including the Connoisseurs Choice tour, which includes three tastings of select limited-edition whiskies.

15. Clonakilty Distillery

Clonakilty Distillery is located on the sunny south Cork coast. Clonakilty’s game is single pot still whiskey, and they do it well, so take a tour of their windswept distillery and see how it all works.

They also have an elegant cask room where your tour guide will explain how different woods affect the character of the whiskey as it ages.

And if the science doesn’t make sense, just relax and enjoy the many flavors of this unique whiskey.

16. Dingle Distillery (one of the most popular whiskey distilleries in Ireland)

The Dingle Peninsula in west Kerry has long been regarded as one of Ireland’s most beautiful natural areas, so it’s no surprise that the town of Dingle has its fair share of pubs and bars.

And, for those who can’t take any more pints, the Dingle Whiskey Distillery has been producing some excellent single pot still whiskey since 2012.

Take the Dingle Whiskey Experience tour to learn about the origins of this independent family-owned business.

Travel tip: The Dingle Distillery is one of Ireland’s most popular whiskey distilleries; make sure to book a ticket in advance!

17. The Ballykeefe Distillery

While the Ballykeefe Distillery has only been in operation since 2017, it is located on land with a long history of distilling.

So much so that it is claimed that this area of county Kilkenny is the birthplace of Irish whiskey, with distilling records dating back to 1324.

On The Ballykeefe Experience, you’ll learn more about the medieval origins of Irish whiskey, as well as the family farm traditions and their commitment to sustainability.

Have you been on a whiskey tour in Ireland that we haven’t heard about?

There are numerous whiskey distilleries in Ireland that you can visit for a tour and a drink.

I’m sure we unintentionally left some out of the above guide. If you’ve recently been on a whiskey tour in Ireland that you’d recommend, please leave a comment below.

Toipc: 17 Of The Best Whiskey Distilleries In Ireland To Visit 2023

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