Distilleries enjoy surge in visitors

The international growth being enjoyed by Jameson Irish Whiskey is matched by the rise in visitors to its two distilleries.

The Old Jameson Distillery in Dublin and the Jameson Experience at the Old Distillery in Midleton, Co Cork, have announced a 13% increase in visitors for the first six months of this year,

Some 160,500 visitors passed through the doors of both venues between Jan 1 and Jun 31, compared with 139,700 visitors in the first half of 2011.

The majority of customers have come from the US, France, Germany, Britain, and Scandinavia.

John Callely, the managing director of Watercourse Distillery, which operates Irish Distillers’ visitor centres, is delighted with the increase.

“We strive to make our visitor centres more than tours, but a place to visit, eat, and enjoy the atmosphere,” he said, adding that bookings “look very strong for the remainder of the year”.