VISITOR ATTRACTION: what’s new and what’s cool at Leitrim’s Shed Distillery

Since the visitor centre’s recent €3m opening in 2020, the Shed Distillery, located in Drumshanbo, County Leitrim, has been a vibrant visitor attraction and the first distillery in Connacht in over 105 years. Known for producing Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin, Drumshanbo Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey, and other unique spirits, it offers an immersive journey into artisanal distilling, set against the picturesque backdrop of Lough Allen and Sliabh an Iarainn (Iron Mountain).

The fully guided tour, led by “Curious Ambassadors” like Shane, takes visitors through the heart of the distillery, exploring the vision of founder PJ Rigney. Highlights include the history of Connacht’s first whiskey in over a century, the slow hand-distillation process using medieval copper pot stills, and the use of exotic botanicals like gunpowder tea, Chinese lime, and local meadowsweet. The tour visits key areas such as the seed/spice room (a favourite for its sensory displays of botanicals), the barrel/board room, and PJ’s Curious Laboratory, where visitors can experiment with flavors. Tours are interactive, encouraging questions, and last approximately 1 hour.
Tastings: The standard tour includes two expert tastings: a whiskey tasting in the Whiskey Maturation Hall, featuring Drumshanbo Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey (made with malted and unmalted barley and Irish Barra oats, matured in Sherry Oloroso and Kentucky Bourbon barrels), and a gin tasting with a complimentary Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin and tonic (or non-alcoholic option) at the exotically decorated Honey Badger Bar in the botanical glasshouse. The premium “Grand Cru Whiskey Experience” offers additional tastings of Drumshanbo Single Malt Irish Whiskey Galanta Release and unique cask expressions.
Sensory and Historical Elements: The tour showcases the distillery’s museum-like displays, including milling, fermenting, distillation, aging, and packaging processes. Visitors learn about the local legend of the jackalope (a mythical rabbit-deer hybrid) and the significance of meadowsweet, handpicked locally, in the gin’s flavor profile.

Visitor Amenities and Atmosphere:

Jackalope Café: Located within the visitor centre, this bright and spacious café, run by Siobhan Smyth and David Fitzgibbon of Nua Bakehouse, serves a range of fresh lunches, homemade baked goods, specialty teas, coffees, and juices. Open Tuesday–Saturday from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, it’s a cozy spot with curious décor inspired by the jackalope. Reviews note occasional issues with wasps, which may limit outdoor seating.
Gift Shop: The extensive shop offers distillery-exclusive bottles (e.g., ceramic editions of Gunpowder Gin), bespoke clothing, local artisan produce, and non-alcoholic souvenirs. Popular items include Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin (classic, Sardinian Citrus, or California Orange editions) and Sausage Tree Vodka.
Botanical Glasshouse: The striking glasshouse, housing the Honey Badger Bar, adds a majestic, lush ambiance to the tasting experience, with views of Lough Allen augmenting the rural charm.
The distillery is accessible, with level entry to the visitor centre, café, and bar. Toilets and free Wi-Fi are available, and the site is family-friendly, with non-alcoholic options for younger visitors or designated drivers. The distillery’s resilience in staying open during challenges like water and electricity outages (e.g., December 2024) ensures reliability.

Practical Details:

The Food Hub, Carrick-on-Shannon Road, Drumshanbo, Co. Leitrim (Eircode: N41 X4R9). It’s a 15-minute drive from Carrick-on-Shannon, 30 minutes from Sligo, and 2 hours from Dublin, accessible via the N4 or Local Link bus (Route 563 from Sligo to Dromahair).
Operating Hours: Open daily from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, with tours running regularly (booking advised via www.thesheddistillery.com). The Jackalope Café operates Tuesday–Saturday.
Admission: Tours are reasonably priced (around €20–€30, based on reviews, with premium experiences like Grand Cru Whiskey costing more). The standard tour includes whiskey and gin tastings, making it a good value. Group bookings, corporate events, and hen/stag parties are accommodated.
A visit, including the tour, tastings, and time in the café or shop, typically takes 1.5–2 hours. Combining it with nearby attractions like Lough Key Forest Park (20 km) or Parke’s Castle (25 km) makes for a full day.
Nearby Attractions: Part of Leitrim’s Hidden Heartlands, the distillery is near Glencar Waterfall, Arigna Mining Experience, and the Shannon Blueway’s floating boardwalk. Local dining options include The Swan Bar or Carthy’s Bar Lock 17 in Drumshanbo.

Atmosphere and Appeal:

The distillery’s setting in the former Lairds Jam Factory, now a community-run Food Hub, reflects its role in revitalizing Drumshanbo after the factory’s 1998 closure. Reviews praise the tour’s engaging storytelling, vibrant displays, and the warm, knowledgeable staff. The lush, exotic décor of the Honey Badger Bar and the distillery’s focus on global botanicals create a unique blend of rural Irish charm and international flair. With 150,000 visitors since opening in 2020 and 30,000 in 2024 alone, it’s Leitrim’s top attraction and the Shannonside region’s most popular in 2023.
Seasonal Considerations: Wasps can be an issue in late summer, occasionally affecting outdoor café seating. Visitors should check weather conditions and book tours in advance, especially during peak seasons.
Expectations: Some find the tour’s focus on branding (e.g., PJ Rigney’s “curious mind”) a bit commercial, but the quality of spirits and interactive elements outweigh this for most.The distillery’s small scale compared to larger operations like Jameson adds to its intimate appeal.
Accessibility for Families: While family-friendly, the tour’s alcohol focus may limit engagement for younger children, though the café and shop cater to all ages.

What’s New:

New Gin Expression: Bruno Vanzan Edition: Launched in March 2025 at ProWein in Düsseldorf, the Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin Bruno Vanzan Edition, developed with Italian mixologist and TV star Bruno Vanzan, introduces Tuscan juniper, viola fig, and Italian laurel to the gin’s botanical profile. Available in Ireland from late March 2025, this edition adds a new tasting option for visitors, augmenting the tour’s gin experience with an Italian twist.
Fizz & Fashion Event (January): A stylish evening with colour analyst and stylist Saffron Cull from 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM, where visitors can discover flattering wardrobe colours while enjoying a Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin cocktail. This event reflects the distillery’s growing focus on unique, themed experiences.
Full Moon Yoga Sessions: Following successful sessions in January 2025 (January 12 and 19, 10:30 AM–11:30 AM), additional yoga events in the botanical glasshouse will be scheduled throughout the year, combining wellness with complimentary cocktails or mocktails. These sessions highlight the distillery’s innovative approach to visitor engagement.
With 30,000 visitors in 2024 and 150,000 since opening, the distillery is poised for growth, with enhanced marketing or partnerships with nearby attractions like Parke’s Castle or Lough Key Forest Park.
Employing over 100 people in Leitrim, the distillery remains a vital economic driver, as emphasized by commercial manager Roisin Rigney. Plans to “continue to evolve” suggest upgrades to the visitor experience, such as new interpretive displays or expanded café offerings, though no major capital projects are confirmed.

Visitor Expectations:

Check www.thesheddistillery.com for updates on additional events or spirit releases.
Seasonal Crowds: The distillery’s popularity (30,000 visitors in 2024) means peak times will be busy, so booking tours in advance is essential, especially for premium experiences like Grand Cru Whiskey.
Commercial Focus: Some visitors note the tour’s emphasis on branding, but the high-quality spirits, engaging guides, and unique setting consistently earn praise on platforms like Tripadvisor.
Regional Context: The Shed Distillery is a modern, operational facility, offering a contemporary contrast to Leitrim’s historical sites while complementing the region’s tourism offerings.

A visit to The Shed Distillery offers an immersive, sensory journey into the craft of Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin and Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey, with engaging guided tours, whiskey and gin tastings, and a vibrant café and gift shop. The stunning botanical glasshouse and rural setting enhance the experience, making it a recommended visit in Leitrim’s Hidden Heartlands. New, the Bruno Vanzan Edition gin, Fizz & Fashion event, and Full Moon Yoga sessions. For the latest details, visit www.thesheddistillery.com or contact +353 71 931 7000