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How whiskey makers celebrate St Patrick’s Day
From parades to pints, Irish whiskey distillers and blenders share their favourite St Patrick’s Day traditions.
Drinkers the world over celebrate St Patrick’s Day every 17 March, often with an Irish whiskey.
But how do the people who make those whiskeys choose to celebrate?
We asked a range of distillers and blenders with close ties to Irish whiskey about their fondest traditions and memories and what drams (or cocktails) they like to reach for when St Paddy’s rolls around.
Alex Chasko, Teeling
“At Teeling Distillery, we honour St Patrick’s Day by ‘painting the town Teeling.’ This celebration features a curated cocktail menu, including our signature Dublin Coffee, accompanied by live traditional Irish music and a ceremonial lighting of the distillery in green. To mark the 150th anniversary of the Dublin Whiskey Fire, we are offering a special tour on March 17th. Having spent over two decades in Ireland after growing up in the US, one tradition that stands out is the local parades in villages and towns across the country. These events foster a strong sense of community, bringing neighbours and friends together to celebrate shared heritage and history. It’s also a great day to celebrate the wider Irish diaspora – the one day each year when we’re all ‘Irish’.”
Ciarán ‘Rowdy’ Rooney, Glendalough
“As a child it was all about dressing up and taking part in the parade, but I’m too old for green pints. These days for me it’s more about ‘green fingers’ and relaxing with a good Irish whiskey. It’s a national holiday in Ireland, so we all get the day off work and – weather permitting – I always try to spend a few hours in my little garden. The holiday is traditionally the day for planting potatoes, but my garden is far too small. You’ll find me pruning, weeding, planting and just getting my hands dirty and connecting with nature. Then, my reward for all my hard work in the garden will be a generous glass or two of Irish whiskey. I’ll opt for something special like our 25-year-old Irish Oak Single Malt, the oldest whiskey that we have released to date. A toast to St Patrick in appreciation of the holiday he gives us.”
Brian Nation, Keeper’s Heart
“Since moving to the US, the celebration has really centred around walking in the St Paul’s Parade with the distillery team and my family, followed by a celebratory party at the distillery. Growing up in Ireland, it was a tradition to attend at least one parade with my family. I’ve carried that tradition with me and continue it here in the US with my wife and kids. Celebrating St Patrick’s Day away from home actually makes it even more meaningful for me. It’s a more emotional celebration on a personal level. The pride that Irish-Americans have for their heritage makes for a truly special celebration. It’s incredible to see how strong the connection to Ireland remains for so many people here in the US.”
Kevin O’Gorman, Irish Distillers
“As it’s a public holiday here in Ireland, my St Patrick’s Day is very much based around my local community. We attend our local parade at midday to catch up with family and friends before heading to our local – Walsh’s Bar in Mitchelstown, Co Cork (which happens to belong to my cousin) – and I usually enjoy a Jameson Black Barrel. This year I intend to toast the occasion with a Jameson Triple Triple Chestnut Edition, I must make sure my cousin has it in stock!”
Louise McGuane, JJ Corry
“St Patrick’s Day is a very different affair in Ireland. Less ‘whizz bang’ and flashy than elsewhere. I always start it by pinning actual live shamrocks to my lapel which we pick on the farm. My father has done that forever and we carry that on. It’s the original wearing of the green, which has been interpreted far more viscerally abroad. Then for me it’s off to work usually entertaining JJ Corry customers as it’s a key day on the calendar for Irish whiskey.”
Alex Conyngham, Slane Distillery
“In Ireland, St Patrick’s Day is a national holiday and so everyone at Slane Distillery will be celebrating the occasion with friends and family. Like many who work in promoting Irish whiskey, I’m normally in the US for the day itself, but this year I’m delighted to be at home for a change. We’ll have extended family staying and we always kick off the day with a Slane Irish Coffee. If the weather’s good, we’ll do the first barbecue of the year and then head into Slane Village to watch the parade. As the whole village turns up, all of the pubs are packed with families and the music and singing goes long into the night, with a whiskey or two along the way. It’s a time to celebrate with your whole community and that’s what makes it so memorable.”
Graeme Millar, McConnell’s Distillery
“My St Patrick’s Day will kick off with a classic McConnell’s Irish Coffee – and fortunately, at McConnell’s Distillery we’re hosting special events this weekend to help you perfect your own Irish Coffee at home. When I arrive at the distillery, I’ll step straight into the celebrations, where we’ll be running interactive St Patrick’s Day cocktail classes, teaching you how to mix the perfect McConnell’s serve. As the evening draws to a close, I’ll head into Belfast City with my wife Yvonne to continue the festivities. There, I’ll unwind with a creamy pint of Stout and sip on a dram of our McConnell’s Sherry Cask Finish before we head back home on the train – the perfect way to celebrate.”
Andy Mooney, Boann Distillery
“St Patrick’s Day has always been my favourite excuse to wear green, drink Guinness, and fully embrace my Irish roots – though, being colourblind, I’ve likely shown up in orange a few times and just played it cool. Every year, I’ve made my way to the Drogheda parade, starting as a kid chasing free candy and now as a parent chasing my kids (while still eyeing the candy). We go all out with the green – socks, jocks, hats, you name it – and no Paddy’s Day feels complete without a Guinness in hand or a sip of Irish pot still whiskey for that essential ‘parenting strength’.”
Alex Thomas, Bushmills
“This year I’ll be celebrating not just St Patrick’s Day, but the recent release of Bushmills 46 Year Old, the oldest Irish single malt ever released! I’m looking forward to enjoying a dram of that on March 17th.” On 6 March, Bushmills announced the release of its 46 Year Old ‘Secrets of the River Bush’. The whiskey is bottled at 46.3% ABV, with 300 bottles available globally at US$12,500.
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