Ireland’s whiskey scene has exploded. What was once a handful of distilleries has grown to more than 40 across the island, and that changes how we can plan a trip.
Here’s why this matters: whiskey tours aren’t just about tasting. They take you to places you might otherwise skip — from the Antrim coast in the north to the Dingle Peninsula in the southwest. A distillery visit gives you a reason to linger in a town, explore the surrounding area, and build your itinerary around something more interesting than the usual tourist route.
A few worth building a trip around: Teeling Distillery in Dublin’s Liberties, opened by the Teeling family in 2015 a short walk from where their original 1782 distillery once stood; Bushmills on the Antrim coast, the world’s oldest licensed whiskey distillery, with records dating back to 1608; and a newer wave of craft producers on the west coast, including Dingle Distillery — see our guide to small-batch west coast distilleries for more.
Whether you’re into craft spirits or just curious, these tours offer a lens into Irish tradition and innovation. The best part? You can string several together into a proper road trip across dramatically different landscapes.
If you’re planning your next Ireland visit, whiskey tourism is now a legitimate way to see the country.
Originally reported by ireland.com
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