Sláinte! More than 1 million toured Irish Whiskey distilleries in the past year

The Irish Whiskey Association (IWA), the representative voice of Irish Whiskey producers, announced this week that over 1 million visitors have toured Irish Whiskey distilleries in the past year.

This marks a 23% increase on last year and the strongest visitor numbers since before the Covid-19 pandemic, IWA said in a statement on November 13.

Survey responses from IWA member distilleries recorded a total of 1,010,261 visitors for the 12-month period up to June 2025.

The average onsite spend in whiskey distilleries was €41.24 per person, generating €41.6 million in direct economic benefit to local communities.

Announcing the figures, IWA said that Irish Whiskey tourism is proving to be a "standout success in an otherwise challenging year for Irish tourism."

IWA noted: "Recent figures from CSO point to a softer year for tourism than 2024, while Ibec’s ‘Experience Economy’ survey reported falling business confidence.

"Against this backdrop, Irish Whiskey distilleries continue to draw strong international and domestic interest as tourists increasingly seek premium and immersive cultural experiences."

Eoin Ó Catháin, Director of the IWA, said: “Irish Whiskey has long been one of Ireland’s most compelling cultural exports, and these remarkable results show that our distillery experiences are now flagship tourism attractions.

"It is particularly great to see thousands of tourists visiting our rural distilleries as well as our urban experiences.

“While the wider tourism landscape faces challenges, our distilleries are thriving, welcoming visitors from around the world and driving regional growth. The continued rise in visitor numbers shows how deeply Irish Whiskey resonates with global travellers. But to sustain this momentum, the sector needs targeted Government support and investment.”

The IWA said its survey showed that whiskey distilleries are supported by five core markets: the US, UK, Germany, France, and Ireland.

The most frequent visitors are aged 34-45, followed by 45-54, with a strong gender balance.

"Irish Whiskey tourism is a vital part of Ireland’s experience economy, supporting thousands of jobs, especially in rural towns and villages where distilleries often act as anchor attractions," the IWA highlighted.

The top five Irish Whiskey distillery visitor experiences for the 12-month period up to June 2025:

1. Jameson Distillery Bow St. – Dublin
2. Bushmills Distillery – Co Antrim
3. Teeling Whiskey Distillery – Dublin
4. Midleton Distillery Experience – Co Cork
5. The Shed Distillery – Co Leitrim

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Bushmills Whiskey Distillery Tour in Bushmills, Co Antrim. (Tourism Northern Ireland / Ireland's Content Pool)

The top five Irish Whiskey distillery visitor experiences that showed the most growth for the 12-month period up to June 2025:

1. Dingle Distillery – Co Kerry
2. Micil Distillery – Co Galway
3. Ahascragh Distillery – Co Galway
4. Skellig Six18 Distillery – Co Kerry
5. The Shed Distillery – Co Leitrim

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Dingle Distillery in Dingle, Co Kerry. (Tourism Ireland / Ireland's Content Pool)

Alice Mansergh, Chief Executive of Tourism Ireland, congratulated IWA on its survey results.

“Island-wide, distillery experiences tell the 700+ year old story of whiskey on these shores," Mansergh commented.

"It’s a story touching on history, people, flavours and local ingredients, with distilleries welcoming visitors from Bushmills to Kilbeggan, from the mountains of Mourne to the Skellig Coast.

"At Tourism Ireland, we share cultural distillery experiences with relevant audiences across 14 markets, all with a view to encouraging overseas visitors to our island across regions and seasons.”

The IWA noted that Irish Whiskey sales exceeded 15 million cases in 2023 and surpassed €1 billion in export value in 2024.

"As the Irish Whiskey sector continues to navigate a period of significant trade uncertainty, diversifying its growth through tourism and visitor experiences has never been more important for the hotels, restaurants, and tour operators that also benefit from this major driver of international visitors," the IWA said.

The IWA said it will continue working with the Government and its tourism partners to sustain this growth and ensure Irish Whiskey remains a cornerstone of Ireland’s tourism economy.

Looking ahead, the IWA is preparing to launch its Irish Whiskey Way tourism initiative this month. The Irish Whiskey Way is a celebration of Ireland’s food and drink trails, showcasing its unique craftsmanship, culture, and the value that Irish Whiskey brings to regional tourism.