Wexford to host Whiskey festival next month

Whiskey enthusiasts and industry veterans will converge on Wexford and Kilkenny this February as the South East Whiskey Festival launches an extended programme of events…

Now in its fourth year, the festival is set to be a sell-out success as it expands its footprint across the South East.

Initially established in 2023 by South East men Johnnie Barron (The Sky and the Ground pub), Daithí O’Connell (O’Connell Whiskey Merchants), and Michael Cowman (Good Spirits Bottling), the 2026 festival will run from Friday 26 – Sunday 28 February, showcasing the exciting depth of Irish whiskey through 16 intimate masterclasses.

The festival kicks off with an exclusive event on Thursday, 25 February:

Bonders’ Dinner: Paris Texas, Kilkenny will host an exclusive, 4-course bonders’ dinner, pairing exceptional food with an incredible selection of whiskeys from Ireland’s finest bonders.

Masterclasses

Across the weekend, master distillers and blenders respresenting Method and Madness, Ballykeefe, Teeling, Liberator, Ardara Distillery, Redbreast, Dingle, Clonakilty, West Cork, Copeland, Micil, Bushmills and Dunvilles will present in a variety of venues across both counties.

Tickets for all masterclasses are limited and priced at an incredibly affordable €20 per event.

Speaking about this year’s festival, co-founder Daithí O’Connell told Wexford Weekly:

“When we launched this festival 4 years ago, we wanted to create an event that was a little bit different. There are so many distilleries now with mature stock that we wanted to celebrate the integrity of Irish whiskey and the future potential. This festival is about meeting the makers, hearing the stories and promoting Irish made products”.

Tickets are limited so early booking is advised. Tickets are available for purchase online at whiskeyfestival.ie.