The Irish Whiskey Association (IWA) has unveiled the Irish Whiskey Way, a digital and experiential trail designed to highlight Ireland’s distilleries and cultural heritage.

The initiative was officially launched by Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment Peter Burke at the Kilbeggan Distillery Experience in County Westmeath.

The trail allows visitors to create custom itineraries featuring distilleries, visitor centres, and curated culinary experiences. The interactive website includes guides on food pairings developed with Irish chefs and cocktail recipes, providing a comprehensive cultural journey.

Minister Burke said, “I am delighted to launch the Irish Whiskey Way, a unique initiative that celebrates one of Ireland’s most iconic exports while showcasing the rich culture, heritage and hospitality that makes our country and this region so special.”

The launch also highlighted policy changes positively affecting tourism. In September, Dublin Airport increased the hand luggage liquid allowance from 100ml to two litres. Michael Clancy, founder of Lough Ree Distillery, noted that this change “has directly boosted sales” as travelers are now able to purchase whiskey for travel. He added that such updates will be important for businesses catering to “high-end, high-spend” consumers.

Eoin Ó Catháin, director of the IWA, emphasised the collaborative nature of the project: “The Irish Whiskey Way is a celebration of our island’s rich distilling heritage, but also an initiative developed by our whiskey distilleries working together to present a unique food and drink trail to the international and domestic visitor.”

The trail is expected to support both established and emerging distilleries as whiskey tourism continues to grow. In 2023, more than 1.3 million people visited Irish distilleries, underlining the economic potential of this sector.

Explore the full details of the Irish Whiskey Way and its impact on Irish tourism in the complete story.