Irish Whiskey distilleries have attracted more than a million people for the second consecutive year, while spending also rose during that period.

Visitor numbers were up by 30,000 with businesses recording some 1,040,159 visitors between June 2025 and June 2026.

The top five Irish Whiskey distillery visitor experiences during those 12 months were the Jameson Distillery in Bow Street in Dublin, Old Bushmills Distillery in Co Antrim, The Teeling Whiskey Distillery in Dublin, the Midleton Distillery Experience in Co Cork and also Co Leitrim’s Shed Distillery.

According to figures from the Irish Whiskey Association (IWA) released in its Irish Whiskey Way survey, visitors are also spending more and travelling further into rural Ireland.

When it comes to visitors, the US accounted for the largest source to IWA member distilleries. This was then followed by Ireland, the UK, Germany and also France.

“Just as importantly, visitors are spending more and travelling further, bringing that value into rural communities across the island,” said Eoin Ó Catháin, director of the Irish Whiskey Association,

“Since we launched the Irish Whiskey Way, it has given visitors a new way to discover our distilleries, and we welcome the renewed emphasis on culinary and experiential tourism in the government’s tourism plan, which closely matches what our members offer.

“With continued support from government, state agencies and our tourism partners, Irish Whiskey can play an even bigger role in growing tourism in every region of Ireland.”