TULLAMORE DEW HERITAGE CENTRE TOUR
Irish Mist and Whiskey History in the Ireland Midlands
The
city of Tullamore in the midlands of Ireland was a later bloomer as
Ireland’s countryside towns go. In 1620, mostly a mill some cottages
and a nearby castle. With the arrival of the English Moore family, who
brought their wealth and political influence, as well as a barracks
for 100 soldiers
in
1716. Tullamore’s most curious incident was its place in aviation
history, the site of the first hot air balloon launch in Ireland in
1785. Unfortunately, in what came to be known as the Great Balloon
Fire, the balloon ignited,
crashed and set almost
100 houses on fire. When the Grand Canal from Dublin came in 1798,
the area’s
important industries grew with a number of new buildings. One of them was
a bonded warehouse built along the edge of the canal in 1897.
Whiskey distilling
in Tullamore was the result of the abundance of water, the canal for shipping,
flat fertile lands for barley growing, and the peat
bogs which flank the town. Daniel E. Williams in began his distillery in
Tullamore in 1829, becoming one of Ireland’s most successful and famous distilleries.
D.E. Williams’ initials formed the name of its most famous brand
Tullamore Dew. The whiskey business managed to survive the “potato famine” of
1845-1849, it had more trouble surviving the Irish Civil War and the Prohibition
Era in America of the 1920s when Irish Whiskey exports crashed.
Williams began looking for a product to bolster his sagging fortunes and
came across an ancient recipe for a sweet Heather Wine. He modified the recipe,
combining it with his whiskey and created the whiskey liqueur he called Irish
Mist. The distillery finally closed in 1954. The Tullamore Dew Whiskey and
Irish Mist brands continue, manufactured elsewhere, but the history of the
famous whiskey distilling operations and of the town made famous by it can
be explored at the Tullamore Dew Heritage Center Tour, located in that remaining
bonded warehouse on Bury Quay.
As is true of other whiskey tour sites in Ireland, like Jameson in Dublin (see Jameson Whiskey Tour), though the product is no longer produced on the site, visitors can learn how whiskey was made through the presentation of recreated distillery works, demonstrating the malting, bottling, corking, barrel cooperage, and the historic warehouse where the oak barrels of Tullamore Dew Whiskey were stored to age. Two casks of whiskey are maturing in the warehouse to give it that authentic aroma.
The
tour finishes in the Old Bond Store Bar with a complimentary glass of
whiskey of Tullamore Dew, including the 10 Year Old blend, Single Malt
or of Irish Mist Liqueur. Visitors can purchase whiskey and souvenirs
in the gift shop. Tullamore Dew Heritage Whiskey in its special bottle
which can only be found in Heritage Center. As well as whiskey making,
the Tullamore Dew Heritage Centre is as much about the town as about the
whiskey with exhibits exploring the history of the village and the region
around County Offaly bordered by Galway, Roscommon and Kildare counties.
There is also tea room and a “fun trail” activity for kids.
After the heritage center, take a walk through town to Patrick Street
where the gates of the original distillery remain.
Visiting Tullmore Dew Center
Self Tours with audio guide and guided tours are available. Guided tours are at 11.30 and 2.30. Adult admission is €6 for self tour and €8 for guided. Seniors and students are €5, children under 18 €3.50. Opening hours are 9am-6pm Monday to Saturday and Sunday 12-5pm May to September, closing an hour earlier during the week from October to April. Tullamore lies on the main Dublin to Galway rail line, so easy to visit by rail. By car from Dublin take the M4, N6 and N52. © Bargain Travel Europe
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Tullamore
Dew Heritage
These articles are copyrighted and the sole property of Bargain Travel Europe and WLPV, LLC. and may not be copied or reprinted without permission. Photos courtesy Tullamore Dew Heritage Cantre.
SEE ALSO:
SMITHWICK’S BREWERY TOUR - KILKENNY
DRIVING IRELAND'S SCENIC COUNTRYSIDE
THE
IRISH NATIONAL STUD FARM
ABBEY
HOTEL ROSCOMMON
TANNERY
COOKERY SCHOOL & TOWNHOUSE
