Midleton Distillery Experience

About the museum

The Old Midleton Distillery was founded in 1825 by the Murphy family on the banks of the Dungourney River and made whiskey for 150 years. A large new distillery was built next door in 1975, and the old buildings were then turned into a visitor centre that opened in 1992. The 15-acre historic site belongs to Irish Distillers.

The visitor experience is centred on a fully guided tour led by whiskey experts. It follows the whole grain-to-glass process, from locally grown barley to the finished whiskey, and tells the story of the people who work in the distillery. The tour passes through the preserved nineteenth-century buildings and ends with a tasting of three whiskeys. A premium tasting version, a two-hour behind-the-scenes tour of the micro distillery, cooperage, maturation warehouse and distiller's cottage, and a longer apprentice tour are offered as well.

Midleton is the home of six whiskey brands, including Jameson, Redbreast and Midleton Very Rare. The site also has a retail shop, a bar and a café that can be visited without a ticket, and spaces for private events. Pre-booking is recommended for all whiskey experiences.

Highlights

• Fully guided 75-minute tour of the historic Old Midleton Distillery
• Tasting of three whiskeys with a Jameson or Redbreast drink
• Behind-the-scenes tour of the micro distillery, cooperage and maturation warehouse
• Nineteenth-century distillery buildings on a 15-acre site
• Shop, bar and café open without a ticket

Permanent exhibition

• Midleton Distillery Experience – A guided tour of the historic Old Midleton Distillery buildings that explains the grain-to-glass whiskey process and the history of the site, ending with a tasting.

Founded

1992

Operated by

Irish Distillers (Pernod Ricard)

Admission & discounts

Prices start at €28 for the standard Distillery Experience and can vary by date and session; student rates are offered. No ticket is needed for the retail, bar and café areas.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The standard Distillery Experience and the premium tasting version are listed as wheelchair accessible. The Behind the Scenes tour is accessible with advance notice, and the Distiller's Apprentice Tour is not wheelchair accessible. On-site parking includes disabled spaces.

Kids & families

Only partly suitable for kids

The main tour is an adult tasting experience; children aged 7 and under are free of charge.

Getting there & parking

The museum recommends arriving early to find parking. By car, follow the N25 Waterford road from Cork city to Midleton.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

The site has a retail shop, a bar and a café that are open without a ticket.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties

Spaces for private events of all sizes are offered on the distillery site.

Plan your visit