THE NORTHERN IRELAND WHISKEY TRAIL
The first written account of whiskey distillation is found in The Red Book of Ossory , written in Kilkenny in Ireland in 1324, meaning this year we are celebrating over 700 years of Irish whiskey. 432 AD is the year that Saint Patrick arrived in Ireland to help convert pagan Gaelic Kings to Christianity and consequently, an early Christian period began in Ireland. Monasteries popped up all over the island. Some of these monasteries were like cities, bustling with industry. For instance, the world’s first large-scale brewers were almost entirely based in monasteries. Later, when distilling evolved , it was missionary monks who spread the art of distilling to the four corners of the globe.
Saint Patrick had a hand in it all, and at Whiskey Island , we are glad to celebrate our patron Saint on our Northern Ireland Whiskey Tour. This is an overnight tour departing from and returning to Dublin and takes in counties Down and Antrim. We leave Dublin after breakfast and depart north passing the Boyne Valley, Ireland’s megalithic capital. After crossing the border into Northern Ireland, we head east out along Carlingford Lough, with beautiful views along a rural route, ending at one of Ireland’s smallest distillers, Killowen Distillery. This operation is about as small batch as it comes, and owner Brendan Carty has made a big name for himself on the whiskey scene because of his approach to making Irish whiskey. We enjoy an up close and personal tour and tasting with Brendan and team.
Next we head to Downpatrick, still enjoying breathtaking views en route. The Saint Patrick Centre is the only permanent exhibition in the world about Ireland’s Patron Saint, we make time for a visit to the attraction and the café onsite is a great stop for lunch. March 17th, Saint Patrick's Day, is a global celebration of Irish culture. It also the anniversary of the death of our Patron Saint , who is laid to rest in Downpatrick and you can visit this resting place, at Down Cathedral which is nearby the The Saint Patrick Centre.
Our second distillery visit today, is just a short drive away. Hinch Distillery is based at Ballynahinch. It was founded in 2016 by entrepreneur Dr Terry Cross OBE. This is a vastly difference experience to our morning visit , meaning day one of our whiskey trail is a nice ‘blend’ of whiskey experiences showcasing the new wave of whiskey makers in Northern Ireland.
We book you a nice central hotel in Belfast – a night in Belfast is very memorable with its vibrant food scene and great mix of pubs and bars.
Next morning, we depart further north, along the stunning Causeway Coastal Route, one of the most scenic coastal routes in Ireland. From next spring, we’ll be incorporating a stop at The Harbourview , Ireland’s first destination whiskey hotel as this makes for a convenient half way refreshment stop! Further north, you’ll find the Giant’s Causeway, a UNESCO world heritage site. It’s an area of about 40,000 interlocking basalt columns. The scientists will tell you the rock formations are the result of a volcanic eruption 60 million years ago. The locals believe differently however, they’ll tell you the columns are the remains of a causeway built by a giant – the Irish legend, Finn MacCool. We’ll let you take it all in and decide for yourself!
Later, we travel nearby to the village of Bushmills and we visit the oldest licenced distillery in the world – Old Bushmills. Bushmills are well-known for their single malts, and today you’ll try their most premium single malts after your distillery tour. We’ll then let you sit back and relax as we take a 2.5 hour direct transfer back to Dublin (or prolong your Northern Ireland adventure with a second overnight in Belfast !) Tours are curated by Whiskey Specialist Host John Callely (Icon of Whisky 2025). For more info see: Northern Ireland Whiskey Trail