Old Kilbeggan Distillery

About

Kilbeggan Distillery, located in County Westmeath just over an hour north of Dublin, is Ireland’s oldest continuously operating distillery, founded in 1757 by Matthew MacManus. The site today blends heritage and craft, offering visitors a rare glimpse into the traditional processes that have produced Ireland’s celebrated blended, single pot‑still and Single Malt whiskies for more than two and a half centuries. The distillery is a fully working facility, complete with historic copper stills, an original waterwheel, and a museum‑style visitor centre that houses artefacts, photographs, and a heritage gallery detailing the distillery’s rich history—from its 19th‑century expansion to its modern revival by Cooley Distillery in 2007. A guided “Distillery Experience” is the flagship attraction. This tour takes guests through the pot‑still house, distillation rooms, and bottling line, while a knowledgeable cask keeper explains the nuances of whiskey production, tasting, and cask selection. After the tour, visitors can continue their experience at “The Pantry” restaurant and the Kilbeggan whiskey bar, sampling wood‑aged whisky cocktails and locally crafted gins. The shop offers a curated range of Kilbeggan bottlings, gift items and memorabilia, making it an ideal stop for whisky enthusiasts. A favourite for families, couples and solo travelers alike, Kilbeggan Distillery is a welcoming destination that combines educational value with convivial ambience. Seasonal highlights include crisp spring mornings when the surrounding countryside is verdant and the distillery’s gates are open early, and early autumn when harvest rains soften the weather. The distillery is open daily from 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM (except Christmas and New Year, when it is closed). Free parking is available on site, and all visitors are welcome to explore the historic grounds, the waterwheel, and the atmospheric museum displays.