8 Amazing Northern Ireland Distilleries You Can Visit

Updated On: November 08, 2023 by   Ciaran Connolly

Northern Ireland Distilleries have a long history as distilling has been a key industry in Ireland throughout its history. This article will tell you all you need to know when visiting these amazing distilleries around Northern Ireland.

What Northern Ireland Distilleries Can You Visit?

• Boatyard Distillery
• Copeland Distillery
• Echlinville Distillery
• Hinch Distillery
• Killowen Distillery
• Rademan Estate Distillery
• Old Bushmills Distillery
• Wild Atlantic Distillery

Boatyard Distillery

The Boatyard Distillery is located on the banks of Lough Erne, County Fermanagh, North West Ireland. It was Fermanagh’s first legal distillery. It is built on a historic boatyard which gives it its name.

When visiting the Boatyard Distillery you can take a hour and a half long tour of their distillery including a gin tasting. The tour includes:

• A gin and tonic reception.
• The history and origins of the Boatyard Distillery.
• A neat tasting of our full spirits range.
• Two cocktails.
• A behind-the-scenes tour of the distillery from distilling to labelling, and an insight into our future projects.
• The chance to label your own 70cl bottle of Boatyard Double Gin to take home with you.

TOUR OPENING HOURS

• Monday & Tuesday – Closed
• Wednesday & Thursday – 11am & 2pm
• Friday – 11am, 2pm & 6pm
• Saturday & Sunday – 12pm & 3:30pm

Location: 346 Lough Shore Rd, Drumcrow East, Enniskillen BT93 7DX

Opening Hours:

Monday	9am–4pm
Tuesday	9am–4pm
Wednesday	9am–4pm
Thursday	9am–4pm
Friday	9am–4pm
Saturday	10am–5pm
Sunday	10am–5pm

Copeland Distillery

Copeland Distillery based on Ireland’s East Coast create a range of Irish Gin, Rum, Single Malt and Pot Still Whiskey. You can visit their distillery and take part in a tour including:

• Tour guides that will bring you through the Copeland production process, from grain to glass, for our award winning gins, rums and whiskey.
• A walk around our historical distillery which was once a picture house dating back to 1915 and hear the stories of the local area.
• A tour of the production floor, see our stunning copper stills up close and hear about the distillation process.
• Sample their portfolio of gins, rum and whiskey in a range of drinks

Location: The Copeland Distillery, Manor St, Donaghadee BT21 0HF

Opening Hours:

Monday	Closed
Tuesday	9am–4pm
Wednesday	9am–4pm
Thursday	9am–4pm
Friday	9am–4pm
Saturday	9am–4pm
Sunday	9am–4pm

Echlinville Distillery

Known for Dunvilles Whiskey and Jawbox Gin, Echlinville are distilling quality Irish spirits. On a visit to Echlinville Distillery you can choose between a range of  tours for your visit:

Tour & Tipple – A tour of the distilling process and a tasting session of drinks mixed with a spirit of your choosing.

Spirits & Cheese –  Pair your tasting with excellent Irish cheese from Indie Fude.

They also offer private tours for groups.

Location: 62 Gransha Rd, Kircubbin, Newtownards BT22 1AJ

Opening Hours:

Monday	11am–5pm
Tuesday	11am–5pm
Wednesday	11am–5pm
Thursday	11am–5pm
Friday	11am–5pm
Saturday	11am–5pm
Sunday	Closed

Hinch Distillery

The Hinch Distillery offer both Gin and Whiskey tours of their distillery allowing for an experience that suits anyone.

The Classic Whiskey Tour includes: Tasting 2 flagship whiskeys, Small Batch & 5 Year Old Double Wood. 

The Premium Whiskey Tour includes tasting of 4 flagship whiskeys, Small Batch, 5 Year Old Double Wood, 10 Year Old Sherry Finish and Peated Single Malt whiskeys.

The gin experience at Hinch involves learning about the distilling process, and the combination of botanical ingredients. You also get to create your own gin to take home.

Location: 19 Carryduff Rd, Ballynahinch BT27 6TZ

Opening Hours:

Monday	10am–5:30pm
Tuesday	10am–5:30pm
Wednesday	10am–7pm
Thursday	10am–8pm
Friday	10am–8pm
Saturday	10am–8pm
Sunday	11am–6pm

Killowen Distillery

Killowen Distillery create whiskey, gin, and poitin and their distillery tour gives you information on all three. You even get to try seven different types of Killowen spirits

Location: 29 Kilfeaghan Rd, Killowen, Newry BT34 3AW

Opening Hours:

Monday	8:30am–5:30pm
Tuesday	8:30am–5:30pm
Wednesday	8:30am–5:30pm
Thursday	8:30am–5:30pm
Friday	8:30am–5:30pm
Saturday	Closed
Sunday	Closed

Rademan Estate Distillery

Try out whiskey’s or gins in catered experiences that allow you to learn more about the process and take home gifts such as customised bottles wax dipped on your tour, branded glasses, and whiskey straight from the cask.

Location: 65 Church Rd, Downpatrick BT30 9HR

Opening Hours:

Monday	9am–5:30pm
Tuesday	9am–5:30pm
Wednesday	9am–5:30pm
Thursday	9am–5:30pm
Friday	9am–5:30pm
Saturday	Closed
Sunday	Closed

Old Bushmills Distillery

The most famous of the Northern Ireland Distilleries is of course Bushmills. It is part of many North Coast Tours. The tour of the Bushmills Distillery takes in its 400 years of history and enables you to learn more about how this iconic whiskey is made.

Take a virtual tour of the distillery here.

Location: 2 Distillery Rd, Bushmills BT57 8XH

Opening Hours:

Monday	10am–4pm
Tuesday	10am–4pm
Wednesday	10am–4pm
Thursday	10am–4pm
Friday	10am–4pm
Saturday	Closed
Sunday	Closed

Wild Atlantic Distillery

Located on the stunning Wild Atlantic Way is the last of the Northern Ireland Distilleries on the list, the Wild Atlantic Distillery. On top of their distillery tour they offer cocktail classes and a gin school to help you serve up perfect gins at home.

Location: 20 Trienamongan Rd, Aghyaran, Castlederg BT81 7XF

Opening Hours:

Monday	9am–5pm
Tuesday	9am–5pm
Wednesday	9am–5pm
Thursday	9am–5pm
Friday	9am–5pm
Saturday	1–2:30pm
Sunday	Closed

Northern Ireland has an amazing range of distilleries which make a great day out when visiting Northern Ireland or wanting to see more of the country.