Glendalough Distillery production, copper stills, County Wicklow

Glendalough Distillery: History, Owner and Range

2 days ago

4 min read

Updated: 3 hours ago

Glendalough Distillery is an Irish whiskey distillery in County Wicklow, about an hour south of Dublin, opened in 2011. Glendalough means the glen of two lakes. A statue of St Kevin, who founded a sixth century monastic settlement there, appears on its labels.

In this guide

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Glendalough at a glance

Distillery fact	Verified detail
Distillery / brand	Glendalough
Country and region	County Wicklow, Ireland
Ownership / operator	Glendalough distillery founders and investors
History	Distilling officially began in 2016 after the purchase of a Holstein still from Germany. While its own distillate matured, the five founders sourced whiskey from Cooley Distillery and…
Whisky identity	Irish whiskey producer with both sourced and distillery-made expressions.
Visiting	Check the producer's latest official tour and opening information before travelling.

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History

Distilling officially began in 2016 after the purchase of a Holstein still from Germany. While its own distillate matured, the five founders sourced whiskey from Cooley Distillery and made it their own through maturation and blending. In 2014 Irish rugby player Brian O'Driscoll invested in the company, and the 13 Year Old whiskey pays tribute to him.

In December 2019 Mark Anthony Brands International announced it had bought the remaining shares, giving it complete ownership.

The range

The first of its own whiskey, released in 2019, was a single pot still with a mash bill of malted and unmalted barley in a 1 to 2 ratio, matured in bourbon casks for three years and then moved to virgin Irish oak for up to a year. Casks range from ex-bourbon barrels to Oloroso sherry butts and Japanese mizunara oak. The distillery also makes seasonal gins, a rose gin and poitin.

Visiting

The distillery does not have a visitor centre or tours.

The founders

Whisky.com lists five founders: Barry Gallagher, Brian Fagan, Gary McLoughlin, Kevin Keenan and Donal O'Gallachoir, and gives 2011 as the founding year. Difford's Guide and Whisky.com both describe it as Ireland's first craft distillery, started by five friends. Stories and Sips gives the address as Newtown Business and Enterprise Centre, Newtown Mount Kennedy, County Wicklow, and says there is no visitor centre or tour.

Inspired by St Kevin

Glendalough means the valley of the two lakes. The official site says the story of St Kevin is its inspiration, a man who left safety and comfort to follow his passion in the mountains. The distillery says it progressively crafts luxury spirits in the Wicklow Mountains and claims world firsts, including Irish single malt aged in Japanese Mizunara oak and Irish single malt aged in Wicklow Irish oak.

The range on the official site

Pot Still Irish Oak Finish
Pot Still Peated
Single Grain Double Barrel Finish
Double Barrel Cask Strength
Single Grain finishes in Calvados XO, Burgundy and Madeira casks
Single Malt Mizunara Cask Finish (7 year old) and a 17 Year Old Mizunara Finish
Gins: Wild Botanical, Wild Rose and Four Seasons, made with botanicals foraged in the Wicklow mountains

All of these showed as sold out on the web shop when read on 20 October 2026, so do not link to the shop as if stock is available.

Ownership

The existing text gives Mark Anthony Brands International as owner since December 2019. This was not confirmed on the official site, which does not name an owner on the pages read. Treat it as unverified until a corporate source is checked.

Frequently asked questions

Who owns Glendalough?

Mark Anthony Brands International, since December 2019.

Where is it?

Newtown Mount Kennedy, County Wicklow.

When did distilling begin?

2016.

Sources

Stories and Sips: Glendalough Distillery

Glendalough Distillery official website

Further sources checked and gaps

Loaded: glendaloughdistillery.com home and Our Story pages, Whisky.com Glendalough page, search snippets from Whiskipedia, Difford's Guide, Stories and Sips and Triple Distilled. Not tried: Mark Anthony Brands, Whisky Advocate, Whiskybase. Gaps: stills and capacity, ownership confirmation, and when distilling began (the existing text says 2016).

Glendalough Distillery: Our Story

Whisky.com: Glendalough Distillery

What makes Glendalough distinctive?

Irish whiskey producer with both sourced and distillery-made expressions.

Glendalough whisky bottles and expression comparison

Bottle / expression	Age	ABV	Cask maturation / notes
Glendalough Single Pot Still	NAS / varies	Check label	Irish whiskey producer with both sourced and distillery-made expressions.
Glendalough Double Barrel	NAS / varies	Check label	Irish whiskey producer with both sourced and distillery-made expressions.

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 Glendalough

Where is Glendalough based?

County Wicklow, Ireland.

Who operates Glendalough?

Glendalough distillery founders and investors.

What distinguishes Glendalough?

Irish whiskey producer with both sourced and distillery-made expressions.

Which bottlings are documented?

Glendalough Single Pot Still, Glendalough Double Barrel. Some editions may be historical.

Can you visit Glendalough?

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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