Ireland’s Ancient East

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Experience Ireland’s Ancient East where vibrant history and modern life meet.

  • Experience Ireland’s Ancient East where vibrant history and modern life meet.
  • Explore the endless idyllic countryside, stop off in bustling towns and picturesque villages, visit historic gardens and estates and immerse yourself in the homes of some of Irish Whiskey’s most iconic brands.
  • From restored waterwheels and historic copper pot stills to state-of-art innovation, the distilleries of Ireland’s Ancient East are bursting with stories to tell.
  • Learn about the pioneering founders, the master craftsmen and the local communities without who our distilleries would not have survived and thrived. Delve behind the scenes, see, smell and hear what really goes on in a working distillery – a joy for the senses. Savour a sip of a great Irish whiskey or try pairing it with local food.

With eight unique distilleries scattered throughout Ireland’s Ancient East, there no shortage of experiences to be enjoyed. Stop off at one on your road-trip; take a day trip from Dublin or Cork; or plan a more ambitious route and visit as many distilleries as you can.

Exquisite estates – close to the capital

Powerscourt Distillery
Set on the Powerscourt Estate, against the backdrop of the Great Sugarloaf Mountain, the visitor centre provides a tremendous environment to learn about all the process of Irish Whiskey distilling, while taking in also the rich local history and natural beauty of this location. Read more.

Slane Distillery
Experience history in the making with tours of our state-of-the-art working Whiskey Distillery, set in the heart of the Boyne Valley. Slane Distillery is housed in beautifully restored 250-year-old stable buildings on the grounds of the legendary Slane Castle, famous around the globe for the incredible series of rock concerts. Read more.

Royal Oak
The Royal Oak Distillery is a world-class distillery producing handcrafted Irish Whiskey, proudly located on an 18th-century estate in Co. Carlow. Visitors can experience a revival of historic tradition as well as forging ahead with innovation in a fully guided, multi-sensory tour. Read more.

Distilleries down south

Blackwater
Beautifully framed within the West Waterford countryside on the banks of the Blackwater river, Blackwater Distillery is renowned nationally and internationally for its innovative, informed and brave approach to creating a diverse range of contemporary Irish spirits that are distilled according to centuries-old techniques. Read more.

Midleton
Today every drop of Jameson is produced in Midleton. You are invited to take one of our fully-guided tours around our heritage grounds. It’s here you’ll come face-to-face with the largest pot still in the world, see our micro-distillery in action, experience our live maturation warehouse and taste our whiskeys along the way. Read more.

There’s a lot more to do in Ireland’s Ancient East.

Hear local legends and mythical tales of the east of Ireland on a lively walking tour or travel back in time at an ancient monastic site. Head on an epic mountain hike. Stop off in pretty towns for locally sourced meals. Visit the cities bursting with fine, modern Irish cuisine.

https://www.discoverireland.ie/irelands-ancient-east