The Copeland Distillery
Filled with Coastal Spirit
The Copeland Distillery was founded by Gareth Irvine in 2015, sparked by a university project, and brought to life through a successful crowdfunding campaign in 2016. In August 2019, the Distillery opened its doors in Donaghadee, taking on a 125-year lease in the town’s abandoned cinema just steps from the harbour.
Rooted in the coastal landscape of County Down, locality is at the heart of everything we do. Our gins feature fruits sourced from local farms, while our Jones 1778 Navy Strength Gin is carefully aged in Kentucky bourbon casks for 120 days, then finished in Oloroso sherry casks for 20 days – for a truly rich, complex spirit.
In 2020, we expanded our portfolio by launching a bold new rum range, and soon after, our very first whiskey, Merchant’s Quay, a carefully crafted blended whiskey as well as a coffee liqueur and a pot still vodka that marked our entry into multiple spirits category. We’ve also laid down our own malt and pot-still whiskeys, which are currently maturing and set to launch soon.
Experience the Distillery
Step into our bespoke Visitor Centre and immerse yourself in the world of Copeland.
We offer guided tasting tours every Saturday – pre-booking is essential. These tours will take you through the decades of stories that inspired our spirits, from smuggling and sea battles to innovation and resilience.
Our café is open every day, serving locally roasted coffee, light bites. It’s the perfect place to relax before your tour or simply pop in during the week.
On selected dates, our bar opens for special events and evening drinks serving a host of coastal cocktails inspired by our surrounds. Follow us on social media or sign up to our newsletter to stay updated on bar openings, live music, events and more.
Crafted with Story and Spirit
The Copeland Distillery is more than just a place where spirits are made, it’s a living tribute to heritage, community, and craft.
Our portfolio includes gin, whiskey, rum, and our signature coffee liqueur, each bottle telling a tale of the coast, the craft, and the people who make it possible.
Copeland’s range of spirits are perfect for a classic gin & tonic, whiskey neat or mixed as part of a cocktail. Fancy something different? Try a Copeland Bramble, a splash of Rhuberry in your Prosecco, or become part of the Copeland story with Cask Share scheme which offers your chance to invest in a cask and become a lifetime member of the Distillery.
The possibilities are endless.
Be Wild. Drink Remarkable.
What They Do
Craft spirit producers, Dog Friendly Café and Visitor Centre, Tours, Events, Merchandise and Bottle Sales, Bar (opening hours on social media pages).
Products
PRODUCTS: Rhuberry Gin Raspberry and Mint Gin Irish Gin Jones 1778 Navy Strength Gin Merchant’s Quay Blended Irish Whiskey Merchant’s Quay Single Grain Irish Whiskey Copeland X Ulster Rugby Blended Irish Whiskey Copeland X Ulster Rugby Irish Gin Smugglers Reserve Rum Pot Still Vodka Coffee Liqueur Mini 5cl Bottles of Rhuberry Gin, Irish Gin, Merchant’s Quay Blended Irish Whiskey and Smuggler’s Reserve Rum. Refill pouches for Merchants Quay Blended Irish Whiskey, Irish Gin, Rhuberry Gin, Irish Pot Still Vodka and Smugglers Reserve Rum. Cask Shares (Limited) Whiskey Casks – individual. Merchandise including clothing and barware.
Where To Buy
Copeland Distillery Visitor Centre, NI independent off-sales, restaurants, bars and off-licences across Northern Ireland as well as Tesco NI. Online via Copeland Distillery Official Website- www.copelanddistillery.com or Master of Malt and Irish Malts.
