McConnell's: Distillery Profile
Updated: 6 hours ago
McConnell's Distillery is a whisky distillery in the A-Wing of the former Crumlin Road Gaol in Belfast, Northern Ireland. It makes McConnell's Irish Whisky, a brand that was relaunched in 2020.
In this guide
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McConnell's at a glance
Distillery fact | Verified detail |
|---|---|
Producer / distillery | McConnell's |
Country and region | County Antrim, Northern Ireland |
Owner / background | McConnell's Irish Whisky brand, current ownership to verify |
Historical context | The relaunched brand began with blended whiskey. A Malt Review entry for McConnell's Irish Whisky 5 describes it as a blend of Irish malt and Irish grain whiskies aged in ex-bourbon casks,… |
Whisky identity | Historic Belfast whisky label revived with blended Irish whisky |
Visitor information | Check the official operator's website for currently available tours and visitor access. |
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Where is McConnell's Distillery?
The distillery is inside the restored Crumlin Road Gaol in North Belfast, a Victorian prison that has been converted into a distillery and visitor attraction. A June 2026 Belfast Live piece, which is a partner advertising feature, says pot stills have replaced the prison cells and that the distillery opened its doors two years earlier.
The brand and its history
TripAdvisor's listing describes McConnell's as a brand born in 1776.
The Belfast Live feature says McConnell's Irish Whisky was relaunched in 2020 and is leading a whisky revival in the city.
It also claims Belfast exported over 75 percent of the world's Irish whisky at the turn of the 20th century. That is the advertiser's statement and we have not tested it.
The whisky
The relaunched brand began with blended whiskey. A Malt Review entry for McConnell's Irish Whisky 5 describes it as a blend of Irish malt and Irish grain whiskies aged in ex-bourbon casks, and a Derry retailer lists it as a five year old blend aged in American oak at 42% ABV and based on spirit from the Great Northern Distillery. Those entries predate the Belfast distillery's own output.
Visiting
The distillery runs tours, cocktail masterclasses and events, and the Belfast Live feature says it is open daily from 9:30am with tours starting at noon. Belfast Whiskey Week listed a McConnell's Signature Distillery Tour in 2024 as one of the first public tours of the new distillery. Check mcconnellsirishwhisky.com for current times and booking.
Gaps
We did not find an independent source for the exact opening date, still sizes or capacity, so they are not stated here.
Sources
Sources: Belfast Live partner feature, 24 June 2026; Malt Review, 16 September 2024; Gee's Wine Shop product listing; Belfast Whiskey Week event page; TripAdvisor listing. Read on 21 October 2026.
What makes McConnell's distinctive?
Historic Belfast whisky label revived with blended Irish whisky
McConnell's whisky bottle and expression comparison
Bottle / expression | Age | ABV | Cask maturation / notes |
|---|---|---|---|
McConnell's Irish Whisky | NAS / edition varies | Check producer label | Historic Belfast whisky label revived with blended Irish whisky |
Bottles and editions listed above are documented expressions or historical associations, not live stock or guaranteed current distillery production. Confirm dates, strengths and provenance with the producer.
McConnell's Irish Whisky bottle photograph
Photograph of a McConnell's Irish Whisky bottle; packaging can change with the edition.
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Frequently asked questions about McConnell's
Where is McConnell's based?
County Antrim, Northern Ireland.
Who owns or operates McConnell's?
McConnell's Irish Whisky brand, current ownership to verify.
What is distinctive about McConnell's?
Historic Belfast whisky label revived with blended Irish whisky.
Which whiskies are documented?
McConnell's Irish Whisky. Editions and market availability may differ.
Can you visit McConnell's?
Check the current official distillery website for tour and visitor arrangements.
Sources and editorial notes
Original research and source links have been preserved. Ownership, production, release schedules and visiting information may change.
Image note: featured whisky photograph is an illustration from the Whisky Clan media library, not a photo of this particular distillery or its products.
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Cover photograph: Crumlin Road Gaol, Belfast, part of which houses McConnell’s Distillery and Visitor Attraction. Carroll Pierce (2024), Creative Commons BY-SA 2.0; displayed at reduced size.
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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