County Antrim hosts several chief craft breweries and distilleries that form part of the local drinks production scene. The Old Bushmills Distillery in Bushmills operates as the oldest licensed whiskey distillery in the world with records dating back to 1608. It produces Irish whiskey using water from the River Bush that flows over basalt rock and maintains a tradition of using malted barley for single malt expressions. Its chief products include single malts and blends with a USP in the long history of production under licence and the retention of malted barley methods when other distilleries changed ingredients in the nineteenth century.
Lacada Brewery in Portrush opened in 2015 and focuses on craft beers with a range that includes different styles for broad appeal. Its chief products cover ales and other beers with a USP in the breadth of offerings available at its taproom.
Hilden Brewery in Lisburn began operations in 1981 and stands as one of the oldest independent breweries in Ireland still active. It produces a selection of beers with a USP in its early establishment during a period of unrest and continued independent operation.
Boundary Brewing in Belfast started in 2015 and creates craft beers with an emphasis on independent production. Its chief products include various ales and lagers with a USP in the focus on local brewing in the city.
Bullhouse in Belfast opened in 2016 and functions as a brewery with products that include beers sold through its outlets. Its chief products centre on craft ales with a USP in the combination of brewing and direct service in Belfast.
Belfast Artisan Distillery in Newtownabbey produces gin and operates with a gin school for visitors. Its chief products include artisanal gins with a USP in the provision of hands-on experiences alongside spirit production.
Craft Brewing & Distilling county by county
Antrim – Armagh – Carlow – Cavan – Clare – Cork – Derry – Donegal – Down – Dublin – Fermanagh – Galway – Kerry – Kildare – Kilkenny – Laois – Leitrim – Limerick – Longford – Louth – Mayo – Meath – Monaghan – Offaly – Roscommon – Sligo – Tipperary – Tyrone – Waterford – Westmeath – Wexford – Wicklow
Dining
Antrim – Armagh – Carlow – Cavan – Clare – Cork – Derry – Donegal – Down – Dublin – Fermanagh – Galway – Kerry – Kildare – Kilkenny – Laois – Leitrim – Limerick – Longford – Louth – Mayo – Meath – Monaghan – Offaly – Roscommon – Sligo – Tipperary – Tyrone – Waterford – Westmeath – Wexford – Wicklow
Restaurant awards
Antrim – Armagh – Carlow – Cavan – Clare – Cork – Derry – Donegal – Down – Dublin – Fermanagh – Galway – Kerry – Kildare – Kilkenny – Laois – Leitrim – Limerick – Longford – Louth – Mayo – Meath – Monaghan – Offaly – Roscommon – Sligo – Tipperary – Tyrone – Waterford – Westmeath – Wexford – Wicklow – Overall – County winners – Georgina Campbell – Good Food Ireland – Michelin Star
County Antrim:
Ireland’s County Antrim offers a stunning blend of coastal beauty and historic sites, with the Giant’s Causeway, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, showcasing unique basalt columns along the rugged shore. Carrickfergus Castle provides a glimpse into medieval history, while the Glens of Antrim offer scenic drives through rolling hills. Other attractions include the Belfast Botanic Gardens and coastal. Antrim is Ireland’s ninth largest county by size (3,046 square km) and second largest by population (651,321). In terms of hospitality, Antrim is Ireland’s fifth most visited tourist county with around 525,000 international visitors per year.
Antrim:
Introduction – Adventure – Anthem – Archaeology – Attractions – Awards – Birdwatching – Camping – Castles – Churches – Contact list – Cycling – Dining – Equestrian – Festivals – Fishing – Folklore – Gardens – Golf – Graveyards – Happening – Haunted – Highest – Hiking – History – Holy Wells – Hotels – Hotels top 8 – Hunting & shooting – Instagrammable – Itineraries – Largest town – Luxury – MICE – Movies –Music – Name – New – Novelists – Off the beaten track – Poets – Pubs – Quotes – Random facts – Restaurant Awards – Sacred Places – Saints – Songs – Spas – Sports – Sunsets – Sustainable – Things to do – Towns – Video – Villages – Walking – Wanderlist – Weddings – Wild swimming – Writers – 1837 – 1846 – 1852 – 1909 – 1955 – 1980 –
