‌

Plan your visit to Irish Whiskey Museum

The Irish Whiskey Museum is a guided, story-led attraction located in the heart of Dublin, focused on the history, revival, and cultural role of Irish whiskey. Unlike walk-through museums, visits run on scheduled, guided tours with timed entry. Groups move together through curated rooms, storytelling spaces, and tasting areas. With limited group sizes and popular time slots filling quickly, planning ahead helps you choose the right tour and manage your visit smoothly.

Navigating your way

Start at the main entrance 👉

Enter through the street-level entrance on Grafton Street. All visitors check in with a valid ticket before their scheduled tour begins.

Join your scheduled experience 👉

Each Irish Whiskey Museum tour starts at a fixed time. Guides gather groups in the reception area before leading them through the museum spaces.

Move through guided spaces 👉

Tours follow a clear internal flow, moving together through historical galleries, interactive storytelling rooms, and tasting spaces without backtracking.

Finish at the tasting area and shop 👉

Experiences conclude near the tasting room and retail shop, where visitors can browse gifts, bottles, and souvenirs at their own pace.

How to make the most of your time

Visit typeDurationRouteWhat you get

Short visit

45-minutes

Entrance to guided tour to shop

A concise Irish Whiskey Museum tour covering history, storytelling, and a brief tasting

In-depth visit

60-90 minutes

Full guided route, including cocktail masterclasses and blending experiences

Expanded storytelling, guided tastings, and deeper insight into Irish whiskey styles

Handy tips

  • Use tasting order: Samples are poured deliberately light to bold; tasting out of order can dull flavours and reduce contrast.
  • Skip heavy bags: Narrow internal spaces make backpacks awkward; travelling light keeps movement easy and avoids staff reminders.
  • Pair with Trinity: Visiting Trinity College before the museum improves historical context, especially references to trade, politics, and cultural revival.
  • Ask questions: Guides are storytellers, not lecturers. Asking about styles, regions, or production history adds depth to the experience.
  • Eat beforehand: Tours are engaging and continuous, so arriving comfortably fed improves focus and enjoyment.

Before you get there

Here are a few pages worth checking before your visit:

About Irish Whiskey Museum

Irish Whiskey Museum timings

Irish Whiskey Museum locsation

Know before booking your Irish Whiskey Museum tour

  • Ticket options: The Irish Whiskey Museum offers several experiences tailored to different interests, including classic and premium guided tours, whiskey blending sessions, cocktail masterclasses, and Irish coffee masterclasses.
  • What guided tours include: The Classic Tour covers full museum access, expert-led storytelling, and three guided whiskey tastings. The Premium Tour adds an extra tasting and a souvenir tasting glass to take home.
  • Cocktail masterclass highlights: This 90-minute experience teaches professional mixing techniques through three custom whiskey cocktails, including a welcome drink, light snacks, hands-on guidance, and a souvenir glass.
  • What to expect from the blending session: Begin with a guided museum tour and four whiskey tastings, then create a personalized mini-bottle blend with expert support, learning how balance and flavour come together.
  • Why choose the Irish coffee masterclass: Enjoy museum access followed by a practical, step-by-step Irish coffee session, where you’ll prepare the classic drink from scratch using traditional methods and provided ingredients.
  • Age restrictions: All tastings are restricted to guests of legal drinking age. Underage visitors or non-drinking adults receive non-alcoholic alternatives during guided experiences.
  • Photo ID requirement: Valid photo identification is required for all whiskey and cocktail experiences to verify legal drinking age at entry.

Irish Whiskey Museum ticket types explained

Ticket typeWhat's includedBest forPrice range

Classic Guided Tour

Museum tour and guided tasting

First-time visitors

From €25

Premium Tasting Tour

Extended tastings and storytelling

Whiskey enthusiasts

From €30

Small Group Experience

Enhanced guide interaction and tastings; blending experiences, coffee masterclasses and mixology sessions

Visitors wanting depth

From €22

Irish Whiskey Museum timings

  • Summer (May-September): 10am to 6pm, with the first tour at 10am and the last tour at 6:00pm.
  • Winter (October-April): 10am to 6pm, with the first tour at 10:30am and the last tour at 6pm.

McDonnell’s Bar hours:

  • Monday to Friday: 10:30am to 7:30pm
  • Saturday & Sunday: 10:30am to 9:30pm

Tour schedule: Tours run at fixed intervals throughout the day. Irish Whiskey Museum timings may vary slightly by season or demand, so checking ahead is recommended.

Best time to visit

Weekdays vs weekends

Weekdays, particularly in the morning and early afternoon, are ideal for a more relaxed visit with smaller tour groups and better availability. Weekends are noticeably busier, with a lively crowd and limited slots, so booking ahead is strongly recommended.

Peak vs quieter months

From April to September, the museum sees higher visitor numbers thanks to the peak tourist season in Dublin. Visiting between October and March is usually quieter, making it easier to secure tour times and enjoy a slower, less crowded museum experience.

Where is Irish Whiskey Museum located?

Address: 119 Grafton Street, Dublin 2, D02 E620

Located directly opposite Trinity College, placing the museum at the centre of Dublin’s main sightseeing and shopping area.

Closest landmark: Trinity College Dublin (40m)

Getting there

By public transportation

  • By tram: Take the Luas Green Line from Parnell and alight at Trinity Stop. The Irish Whiskey Museum is just a two-minute walk from the tram.
  • By bus: Board Dublin Bus number 9 or 122 from Parnell Square East. Get off at College Green, only a two-minute walk to the museum.

By car

Driving route: From Parnell, follow the Parnell Square West route, and you can reach the Irish Whiskey Museum in approximately 15 minutes on foot.

Parking facilities:

  • Fleet Street Q-Park (190m)
  • Car Park Jervis Street | APCOA (900m)
  • Q-Park Christchurch (1.6 km)

Facilities and accessibility

  • Restrooms: Convenient visitor washrooms are available on-site, ensuring a comfortable experience throughout your time at the museum.
  • Wheelchair accessibility: The museum is fully wheelchair accessible, with a lift to all floors. Narrow staircases exist, so using the lift is recommended for mobility concerns.
  • Service animals: Service animals are welcome, allowing visitors who rely on them to navigate and enjoy the museum comfortably.

Rules and restrictions

  • Age restrictions: Guests must be 18 or older to participate in whiskey tastings. Children are welcome on tours when accompanied by an adult, but tastings are not permitted.
  • Alcohol service hours: In line with Irish licensing laws, the museum bar does not serve alcohol before 12:30pm on Sundays.
  • Visitor conduct: All visitors are expected to behave respectfully. Treat exhibits, staff, and fellow guests considerately. Disruptive behaviour or intoxication may result in removal from the premises.

Where to eat nearby

Hawksmoor Dublin (71m)

Hawksmoor Dublin specializes in expertly cooked steaks and sustainably sourced seafood, offering a sophisticated yet relaxed atmosphere, elegant décor, a curated cocktail menu, and attentive, top-quality service.

The Old Storehouse Bar and Restaurant (350m)

This lively pub features nightly traditional Irish music and serves hearty classics like Irish stew, fish and chips, and steak pie, all within a cosy, rustic, welcoming environment.

Dunne and Crescenzi (350m)

Dunne and Crescenzi is a stylish Italian restaurant offering authentic pasta, antipasti, and fine wines in a relaxed bistro-style setting, ideal for a leisurely lunch or early evening dinner.

Where to stay nearby

Irish Whiskey Museum sits in Dublin’s city centre, making it ideal for visitors who want to walk everywhere without relying on transport.

  • Temple Bar Inn (220m): Comfortable mid-range option offering easy access to attractions, dining, and nightlife.
  • The Westbury (400m): Luxury hotel with refined interiors, attentive service, and direct access to Grafton Street shopping.
  • The Clarence (700m): Boutique hotel blending historic character with modern comfort, close to Temple Bar and the River Liffey.

Frequently asked questions about visiting Irish Whiskey Museum

Can I book tickets on the same day?

Same-day bookings are sometimes available, but popular slots often sell out. Advance booking is recommended.

How early should I arrive?

Arrive at least 10 to 15 minutes before your scheduled tour for check-in and group allocation.

How long should I plan for my visit?

Most visits last between 45 and 90 minutes, depending on the tour selected.

Can I stay longer after the tour ends?

Yes, visitors can browse the shop after the tour without time pressure.

Do all tours include tastings?

Yes, all Irish Whiskey Museum tours include guided tastings, with sample numbers varying by ticket type.

Is photography allowed?

Photography for personal use is permitted, though flash may be restricted in certain areas.

Are children allowed inside?

No. The Irish Whiskey Museum is strictly for guests aged 18 and over.