Tourism, tasting and Irish history: Whiskey a go-go in Killarney

Whiskey tourism is big business – and one hotel group in Kerry is embracing the spirit. Bill Linnane pays a visit

Maurice O'Connell with his Lakeview Whiskey - distilled with barley from his family farm in Fossa, Killarney, Co Kerry

Be it Scotland’s malts, or Kentucky bourbon, there are many who will travel to visit the homeland of their favourite brown spirit. Here in Ireland, we have a much-vaunted Irish whiskey renaissance; with that comes great opportunities for tourism, and one Kerry hotel group is embracing this spirit with a range of exclusive experiences.

The O’Donoghue Ring Collection includes the Killarney Plaza Hotel & Spa, the Killarney Avenue Hotel, the Killarney Towers Hotel, and the River Island Hotel along with Park Place Apartments, while their restaurants and bars include The Tan Yard, Café Du Parc and O’Donoghue Public House, the latter being the venue for the start of their exclusive whiskey experience.