Echlinville Distillery: History and Dunville's Revival
Updated: 2 hours ago
Echlinville Distillery is on the Echlinville estate near the village of Kircubbin, on the east coast of County Down in Northern Ireland. Shane Braniff holds the licence to distil, granted in 2013. It has been described as the first new distillery in Northern Ireland in more than 100 years.
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Echlinville at a glance
Distillery fact | Verified detail |
|---|---|
Distillery / brand | Echlinville |
Country and region | County Down, Northern Ireland |
Ownership / operator | Shane Braniff and Echlinville Distillery |
History | Charles Echlin bought an estate near Kircubbin in the mid 1730s, and the manor house, Echlinville House, dates in its present form to 1860. The distillery now occupies the former… |
Whisky identity | A farm distillery that revived historic Dunville's Irish whiskey branding. |
Visiting | Check the producer's latest official tour and opening information before travelling. |
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History
Charles Echlin bought an estate near Kircubbin in the mid 1730s, and the manor house, Echlinville House, dates in its present form to 1860. The distillery now occupies the former barns. Shane Braniff began the project in 2008 and received the licence to distil in 2013. He and his wife Lynn built a stillhouse, silos and a modern warehouse.
How it is made
Barley comes from the surrounding estate fields, and about half is malted off site. Echlinville has a wash still and a spirit still, plus column stills used for gin and vodka. The distillery relaunched the Dunville's Old Irish Whiskey name.
Visiting
A visitor centre was planned to open in 2017. Check the official website for current visiting details.
Timeline from the official site
1613: Robert Echlin, Bishop of Down and Connor, arrives in the Ards Peninsula from Fife
1730s: Captain Charles Echlin buys the manor house and builds the 1,500 acre Echlinville Estate
2007: Shane Braniff and his wife Lynn buy the Grade B1 listed manor house, designed by Charles Lanyon
2012: Braniff revives the Dunville's Irish Whiskey brand
2013: licence granted, the first new distillery in Northern Ireland for more than 125 years, with the first casks filled on 5 August 2013
2017: Echlinville Irish Pot Still Gin
2019: Dunville's Single Cask Series and Weavers Gin
2021: Old Comber Irish Pot Still Whiskey revived
2023: Echlinville takes ownership of the historic Ards Maltings building
2024: first Echlinville The Beginning single malt and pot still release
2025: Old Comber Single Pot Still, marking 200 years of Old Comber
Ireland's first farm distillery
The distillery calls itself Ireland's first farm distillery, making whiskey, gin, vodka and poitin from barley grown, harvested and malted on its own family farm. It describes the barley as malted by hand on a distillery malting floor, and the spirit as trickle pot distilled, meaning the stills are run slowly. The stillhouse also has column stills. The official site places the distillery in Newtownards on the Ards Peninsula.
Where the old text and the official site differ
The existing text above says about half the barley is malted off site. The official site describes malting on the distillery floor and the 2023 Ards Maltings purchase, so check the current position before publishing.
The existing text says the project began in 2008. The official timeline gives 2007 for buying the manor house and 2012 for reviving Dunville's.
The existing text places the distillery near Kircubbin. The official site says Newtownards. Both are on the Ards Peninsula.
Awards
The official site says Dunville's 21 Year Old Palo Cortado Sherry Cask Finish was named Ireland's Best Whiskey at the Irish Whiskey Awards in 2024 and 2025, after Dunville's Cask 1197 won the overall title in 2022. Echlinville calls itself the custodian of Dunville's, a three time winner of Whiskey of the Year at those awards.
Brands under the Echlinville roof
The site lists Echlinville The Beginning, Dunville's, Weavers Spirits, Jawbox, Matt D'Arcy, Old Comber, Ban Poitin, Feckin and Echlinville Gin.
Visiting
The official site offers a Tour and Tipple and bespoke events, plus a cafe and distillery shop. Tour prices and times were not read.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Echlinville?
Near Kircubbin, County Down, Northern Ireland.
Who runs it?
Shane Braniff and his wife Lynn.
What is Dunville's?
A historic Irish whiskey brand revived by Echlinville.
Sources
Whiskipedia: Echlinville
Stories and Sips: Echlinville
Echlinville official website
Further sources checked and gaps
Loaded: echlinville.com home page and Our Story page, Triple Distilled blog (lists Echlinville among GI certified distilleries). Not tried: Whiskybase, Whisky Advocate, ScotchWhisky.com. Gaps: still sizes, capacity, bottle strengths, and tour prices.
Echlinville Distillery: Our Story
Echlinville Distillery: home
What makes Echlinville distinctive?
A farm distillery that revived historic Dunville's Irish whiskey branding.
Echlinville whisky bottles and expression comparison
Bottle / expression | Age | ABV | Cask maturation / notes |
|---|---|---|---|
Dunville's Three Crowns | NAS / varies | Check label | A farm distillery that revived historic Dunville's Irish whiskey branding. |
Dunville's PX 12 Year Old | 12 years | Check label | A farm distillery that revived historic Dunville's Irish whiskey branding. |
Dunville's 1808 Irish Whiskey | NAS | Check label | Wider Dunville's Irish whiskey brand |
Bottle range update: source-documented expressions are listed alongside the original research. Historic and limited releases are not live stock guarantees.
Rare, limited and historic releases
These special bottlings may be sold out or available only through collectors. They are separate from the standard distillery range.
Bottle / expression | Age | ABV | Cask maturation / notes |
|---|---|---|---|
Dunville's Palo Cortado 21 Year Old Single Malt | 21 years | 46% | Palo Cortado sherry-finished malt |
Dunville's PX 20 Year Old Cask Strength Cask 1668 | 20 years | 53.9% | Historic limited cask of 347 bottles |
Dunville's Moscatel 10 Year Old Single Cask | 10 years | 56.1% | Moscatel sherry cask limited release |
This table describes documented expressions. It does not guarantee current stock, age statements or strengths. Check producer labels for details.
More distilleries to explore
Frequently asked questions about Echlinville
Where is Echlinville based?
County Down, Northern Ireland.
Who operates Echlinville?
Shane Braniff and Echlinville Distillery.
What distinguishes Echlinville?
A farm distillery that revived historic Dunville's Irish whiskey branding.
Which bottlings are documented?
Dunville's Three Crowns, Dunville's PX 12 Year Old. Some editions may be historical.
Can you visit Echlinville?
Please check whether tours are currently operating and book through the producer before travelling.
Sources and editorial checks
Original research and historical notes have been retained. Visitor details, owners and bottle ranges may change.
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About the author
 | Filip Janczak Storyteller, drinker and explorer of all things whisky. Read more about the person behind Whisky Clan and explore additional reviews and distillery guides. |
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