FoodNI Member Distilleries set for Boost from Scheme Aiding Rural Growth
Six Northern Ireland whiskey distilleries, including Four FoodNI members are
featured in a unique initiative by the Irish Whiskey Association (IWA) in Dublin to
encourage tourism, whiskey and local food.
Included in the planned all-Ireland Irish Whiskey Way initiative are FoodNI members:
Echlinville at Kircubbin; Hinch outside Ballynahinch; Rademon Estate, Crossgar; and
Titanic, Belfast. Other distilleries included are Old Bushmills and Belfast Distillery.
The Irish Whiskey Way is seen as a landmark tourism initiative that weaves Ireland’s
distilling traditions, landscapes and community stories into a single, immersive
whiskey trail. It aims to build on the success of whiskey tourism which attracted
around one million visitors to distilleries in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern
Ireland last year. Historic Bushmills, the world’s oldest whiskey distillery, was
Northern Ireland’s most popular visitor attraction then.
The initiative also boosts local food by recommending pairings with the various
whiskeys.
The statistics for whiskey tourism and the wider impact on the economies, both north
and south are impressive and show opportunities for even faster growth.
Over €41.6 million was generated from an average onsite spend of €41.24 per
person by 1,010,261 visitors in the 12 months leading up to June 2025. Other
impacts include:
Bottle sales: More than 200,000 bottles of Irish whiskey were purchased
directly from distillery gift shops in 2022, indicating the importance of tourism
for premium product sales.
Job creation: Irish whiskey tourism is a significant driver of employment,
especially in rural towns and villages, where distilleries often act as “anchor
attractions”.
The most recent study shows other economic benefits as follows:
Local community support: Visitors spend money in local communities linked
to distillery visits, with estimates reaching over €40 million in local
communities in 2022.
“Experience economy” support: The growth of whiskey tourism contributes
to Ireland’s broader “experience economy,” which includes a wide range of
cultural and heritage attractions.
Multiplier effects: The industry creates substantial multiplier gains for local
economies by supporting supply chains for goods and services, such as
accommodation and food, in the areas surrounding distilleries.
An all-island industry: Irish whiskey tourism is promoted as an all-island
offering, which helps to deepen the overall tourism experience and economic
ties across the island of Ireland
The economic importance of the whiskey industry is recognised by Tourism NI which
has a whiskey experience programme.
All six Northern Ireland distilleries included the planned Whiskey Way offer very
sophisticated and different visitor centres aimed at visitors especially from overseas.
Belfast Distillery has developed a striking visitor attraction at its location in a wing of
the former Crumlin Road Gaol, once the city’s gaol. Titanic has developed an
impressive centre around the old Pumphouse at Thompson Wharf, once used by the
Titanic.
Belfast Distillery is home to McConnell’s whisky which dates back to the 18th century
and was among the city’s oldest spirits.
Other distilleries such as Bushmills, Echlinville, Hinch and Shortcross have invested
extensively in modern facilities for tourists. Bushmills charts the whiskey’s
development going back almost 400 years. Echlinville traces the history of Dunville’s
Irish Whiskey to the 19th century and the time when it was Ireland biggest selling
whiskey in the US.
Launched by Ireland’s Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment Peter
Burke, the Irish Whiskey Way showcases Ireland’s leading Irish Whiskey distillery
experiences and visitor centres and allows any tourist coming to Ireland to build their
own food and drink trail across the island.
It includes an interactive website that allows users to build their own Irish food and
drink trails. The platform features the country’s leading whiskey distilleries and visitor
experiences, all showcased alongside their distilling traditions, landscapes and
community stories.
Additionally, the website includes recommended food pairings from celebrated Irish
chefs, as well as cocktail recipes.
Director of the IWA Eoin Ó Catháin called the initiative “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”.
He added: “The importance of cooperation has never been greater, this year more
than ever, and the value of every euro spent in Ireland has never been more
appreciated.”
Irish whiskey tourism provides significant economic benefits, including a direct spend
of over €41 million from over one million visitors in the year to June 2025, high-value
employment especially in rural areas, and support for local economies through visitor
spending on other goods and services.
The industry also generates substantial income through on-site sales, which have
seen over 200,000 bottles of premium whiskey purchased annually, supporting local
communities and the overall Irish experience economy.
