Distillery tours
Distillery Tours in County Down
Plan a distillery tour in County Down: 4 distilleries to visit, with tastings and experiences you can book directly. Expect Irish Whiskey, Gin and more. Highlights include Killowen Distillery, Rademon Estate Distillery (Shortcross), Echlinville Distillery.
4distilleries
Rademon Estate Distillery (Shortcross)
Country estate gin and Irish whiskey in Down
Echlinville Distillery
Northern Ireland's first farm distillery, field to glass
About distillery tours in County Down
County Down has become one of the most exciting corners of Ireland's spirits revival, packing a remarkable variety of distilleries into a small, scenic patch of Northern Ireland just south and east of Belfast. The story here is recent but fast-moving: Echlinville on the Ards Peninsula was the first new distillery licensed in Northern Ireland in well over a century, and it has been joined by Rademon Estate near Downpatrick, the home of Shortcross gin; Hinch Distillery in Ballynahinch, with its smart visitor operation and brasserie; and the tiny, fiercely traditional Killowen, tucked beneath the Mourne Mountains and known for flame-fed stills. Together they offer a trail that runs from a working farm estate to a Georgian country house to a craft distillery the size of a barn, taking in whiskey, gin and even poitín along the way. The settings are a big part of the appeal, from the shores of Strangford Lough to the granite slopes of the Mournes. Compact, varied and warmly welcoming, County Down is an ideal place to see Northern Ireland's new distilling generation up close.
Following the County Down trail
County Down's distilleries form a loose loop around the countryside south and east of Belfast, easily linked over a day or two. On the Ards Peninsula, Echlinville offers a field-to-glass story, showing how its own barley is grown and hand-malted before becoming whiskey, gin and poitín. Inland near Downpatrick sits Rademon Estate, a Georgian country estate and the home of Shortcross gin, increasingly making whiskey too. Hinch in Ballynahinch is a polished modern visitor destination with its own brasserie, while down towards the Mourne Mountains, Killowen is a deliberately small craft operation famed for its flame-fed stills. A sensible trail pairs one or two of the larger estates with the intimate Killowen experience.
Distilleries worth prioritising
Echlinville is the historic must-see, both for being the first new Northern Ireland distillery licensed in 130 years and for its genuine farm-to-bottle approach. Killowen is the connoisseur's choice, a tiny distillery using old-fashioned direct-fire stills that lend its spirit a fuller body. Rademon Estate rewards gin lovers with its Shortcross range in a beautiful country-house setting, while Hinch suits visitors wanting a slick, well-organised tour rounded off with a meal at its brasserie. Trying to combine the contrast between a large estate and a barn-scale craft house makes for the most memorable day.
Where to stay & eat nearby
Belfast makes an easy base, with all four distilleries within a comfortable drive, but staying locally lets you slow down and enjoy the landscape. Towns such as Downpatrick, Newcastle and the villages around Strangford Lough offer good places to stay and eat, and the Mourne coast is glorious. Hinch's own brasserie is a natural lunch stop, while the Ards Peninsula and Lough shore are dotted with seafood spots making the most of local catch. Building a proper meal into the day keeps the tastings enjoyable and showcases County Down's strong food scene.
Getting there & around
Belfast, served by two airports and good ferry links, is the gateway, with the nearest County Down distilleries under an hour away. A car is the most practical way to connect Echlinville on the Ards Peninsula, Rademon near Downpatrick, Hinch at Ballynahinch and Killowen by the Mournes, as they are spread across rural roads. If you would rather not drive, look for guided distillery tours that link several sites, or base yourself near one and arrange taxis. Always book tours in advance, as the smaller distilleries in particular have limited visitor slots.
Frequently asked
- Why is County Down significant for Irish whiskey?
- It sits at the heart of Northern Ireland's distilling revival. Echlinville was the first new distillery licensed in Northern Ireland in around 130 years, and it has since been joined by several distinctive newcomers.
- What spirits can I taste on the trail?
- More than just whiskey. The County Down distilleries also produce gin, including Rademon Estate's well-known Shortcross, as well as poitín at Echlinville, giving plenty of variety across a single trail.
- What makes Killowen distillery unusual?
- Killowen is one of Northern Ireland's smallest distilleries and is noted for using flame-fed, direct-fire stills, an old-fashioned method that produces a fuller-bodied spirit. Its setting beneath the Mourne Mountains adds to the appeal.
- Do I need a car to visit?
- A car is the easiest way to link the distilleries, which are spread across rural County Down. Alternatively, look for guided tours that cover several sites, or base yourself near one distillery and use taxis.
- How far is the trail from Belfast?
- Very close. The nearest County Down distilleries are under an hour from Belfast, making the trail an easy day trip or a relaxed overnight from the city.
- Can I eat at the distilleries?
- Some offer food, notably Hinch with its own brasserie. Elsewhere, nearby towns and the Strangford Lough and Mourne coasts have plenty of good places to eat between visits.
- Should I book distillery tours in advance?
- Yes. The smaller distilleries in particular have limited visitor capacity, so booking ahead is the safest way to secure a tour and tasting.