Hennessy Cognac legacy is owed to a sleepy village in North Cork

Bill Linnane meets up for an exclusive interview with members of the Hennessy dynasty and finds out why the Irish connection is still strong with the famous brandy producing family.

As birthplaces of empires go, Killavullen is more humble than most. Nestled between the lush slopes of the Blackwater Valley, the village is home to an immediate population of about 200. It is a pretty place, with a few pubs, a church, and a community centre.

It is at the highest point in the village that you will find the origins of one of the best-known luxury brands in the world. Almost hidden among the trees is Ballymacmoy House, the ancestral home of Richard Hennessy, who went on to create one of the world’s best-known and most-respected Cognac brands.