HISTORY
A Legacy 700 Years in the
Making
Kilkenny’s connection to the distilling in Ireland stretches back to 1324, when the Red Book of Ossory recorded
Ireland’s first written reference to Aqua Vitae. This medieval manuscript, created here in Kilkenny, connects the
Guild’s to a tradition that is centuries old.
The Red Book of Ossory
The Red Book is the cornerstone of Kilkenny’s place in Irish distilling history and hence, the distilled Spirit Of Ireland, Irish Whiskey. Written in St Canice’s Cathedral in Kilkenny circa 1324 by then bishop Richard de Ledrede, it contains the earliest known written reference on these islands to the distilled spirit drink known in latin then as Aqua Vitae.
This translates as “Water Of Life’ and also in Gaelic directly as Uisce Beatha. Uisce pronounced ‘Ishka’ meaning water and Beatha pronounced Bah-ha meaning ‘of life’.
The Red book contains recipes for the making of Aqua Vitae and is one of the most important historical artefacts of the whiskey world.
The Guild Today
The Guild has gone from strength to strength and now boasts Eleven establishments carrying forward that legacy
through their bookable experiences, regular tasting events, tours, and distinctive modern hospitality offerings.
Timeline of Events
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1324
Aqua Vitae Emerges
Red Book of Ossory mentions Aqua Vitae, marking the first written record in Ireland
1324
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1324
Historic Whiskey Record
Whiskey consumption mentioned in the Annals of Clonmacnoise
1405
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1324
Bushmills Licensed
Bushmills receives a licence to distill making it now the oldest globally
1608
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1324
Distillery Boom
28 Distilleries in operation across the island to meet global demand for Irish Whiskey
1890
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1324
Irish Coffee Creation
First Irish Coffee made at Foynes Airport by Joe Sheridan
1943
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1324
Industry Decline
Only 2 Irish Whiskey distilleries remain open after a global decline in demand
1966
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1324
Guild Launch
Kilkenny Whiskey Guild Launched at St Mary’s Medieval Mile Museum
2017
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1324
Sales Milestone
Irish Whiskey passes 15 million global case sales
2022
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1324
Distillery Growth
Number of operating distilleries on the island reaches 50
2025
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1324
Hospitality Alliance
11 Houses united to celebrate Irish Whiskey Hospitality in Historic Kilkenny
Present Day