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Roden Place, Dundalk, County Louth, Ireland
Website is not provided.
Countryireland
RegionCounty Louth
Established1708
OwnerDistillers Company Limited (DCL), from 1912 until closure in 1926
TypeGrain whiskey (Coffey still) with pot still capacity
Number of stillsFour pot stills (two 10,700-gallon wash stills, one 8,000-gallon low-wines still, one 6,000-gallon spirit still) plus a Coffey still
Visitor centerNo
StatusClosed
Phonen/a

Dundalk Distillery — County Louth Single Malt Whisky

Dundalk Distillery is an Irish whiskey distillery that was located at Roden Place in Dundalk, County Louth, Ireland. It was founded in 1708 and closed in 1926 after 218 years of production. By the late 19th century it was one of the larger grain distilleries in Ireland, producing around 700,000 gallons a year, and its 162-foot brick chimney was said to be the tallest in Ireland when it was built in 1817.

History

The distillery traces its origins to 1708, when it was established by James Gillichan and Peter Godbey, making it one of the oldest registered distilleries in Ireland. Ownership passed to Malcolm Brown in 1812 after he married Gillichan's daughter, and the business continued as Malcolm Brown & Co. Following Brown's death in 1854, the distillery was taken over by his nephews, the Murray family, under whom it grew into a major grain-whiskey operation. In 1912 it was acquired by the Distillers Company Limited (DCL), the dominant Scotch whisky combine, for £160,000, reflecting its scale and the value of its Coffey still capacity. In its later years, alongside grain spirit, the distillery exported a distilling by-product, yeast, to England under the brand name "Skylark," which was reportedly a profitable sideline in its own right.

Quick Facts

  • Region: County Louth, Ireland
  • Founded: 1708
  • Owner: Distillers Company Limited (DCL), from 1912 until closure
  • Status: Closed
  • Stills: Four pot stills (two 10,700-gallon wash stills, one 8,000-gallon low-wines still, one 6,000-gallon spirit still) plus a Coffey (continuous) still

Closure & Legacy

Dundalk Distillery closed in 1926, a casualty of the broader contraction of the Irish whiskey industry in the early 20th century that also claimed many of its contemporaries. Most of the site was subsequently cleared, including the landmark chimney, whose bricks were reused in local housing. Two of the original buildings survive: the former grain store and maltings, which today house Dundalk's County Museum (opened 1994) and the town's Public Library. Because production ceased nearly a century ago and DCL absorbed the business into its wider grain operations, no branded bottlings from Dundalk Distillery are known to circulate on the collector's market; surviving interest in the site today is largely historical and architectural rather than centred on whiskey itself.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Dundalk distillery?

Dundalk distillery is located at Roden Place, Dundalk, County Louth, Ireland.

When was Dundalk founded?

Dundalk distillery was founded in 1708.

Who owns Dundalk?

Dundalk distillery is owned by Distillers Company Limited (DCL), from 1912 until closure in 1926.

What region is Dundalk from?

Dundalk distillery is from County Louth, ireland.

Where can I buy Dundalk whisky online?

You can buy Dundalk whisky at Glenbotal.co.uk. We currently stock a selection with free UK delivery on orders over £99.

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Dundalk Bottles for Sale

About Glenbotal

The idea of Glenbotal came to us naturaly: as whisky lovers, we were always on the lookout for new experiences in the whisky world. That’s why we created Glenbotal and became our very own first customers. We buy unique and hard to find spirits from auctions, ballots, and private collections. Then, we share them with a small circle of friends and people who can appreciate a good dram.