The Irish Whiskey Association (IWA) has announced that more than one million visitors toured Irish whiskey distilleries in the past year, marking a 23% increase on the previous year and the strongest visitor numbers since before the Covid-19 pandemic.

Survey responses from IWA member distilleries recorded a total of 1,010,261 visitors for the 12-month period to June 2025. The average on-site spend was €41.24 per person, generating €41.6 million in direct economic benefit for local communities.

Irish whiskey tourism continues to be a standout success in an otherwise challenging year for the wider Irish tourism sector. Recent CSO figures indicate a softer year for tourism than 2024, while Ibec’s Experience Economy survey reported declining business confidence. Against this backdrop, Irish whiskey distilleries continue to attract strong international and domestic interest, as tourists increasingly seek premium and immersive cultural experiences.

Top five Irish whiskey distillery visitor experiences (12 months to June 2025):

1. Jameson Distillery Bow St. – Dublin
2. Bushmills Distillery – Co. Antrim
3. Teeling Whiskey Distillery – Dublin
4. Midleton Distillery Experience – Co. Cork
5. The Shed Distillery – Co. Leitrim

Top five distilleries showing the most visitor growth (12 months to June 2025):

1. Dingle Distillery – Co. Kerry
2. Micil Distillery – Co. Galway
3. Ahascragh Distillery – Co. Galway
4. Skellig Six18 Distillery – Co. Kerry
5. The Shed Distillery – Co. Leitrim

The IWA survey shows that distilleries are supported by five core markets: the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, France and Ireland. The most frequent visitors are aged 34–45, followed by those aged 45–54, with a strong gender balance across all groups.

Commenting on the findings, Eoin Ó Catháin, Director of the IWA, said: “Irish whiskey has long been one of Ireland’s most compelling cultural exports, and these remarkable results show that our distillery experiences are now flagship tourism attractions. It is particularly encouraging to see thousands of tourists visiting our rural distilleries as well as our urban experiences.”

Eoin, continued: “While the wider tourism landscape faces challenges, our distilleries are thriving — welcoming visitors from around the world and driving regional growth. The continued rise in visitor numbers shows how deeply Irish whiskey resonates with global travellers. But to sustain this momentum, the sector needs targeted Government support and investment.”

Irish whiskey tourism remains a vital part of Ireland’s experience economy, supporting thousands of jobs – particularly in rural towns and villages where distilleries frequently act as anchor attractions.