Inaugural Kerry Drinks Festival will feature more than 45 producers from Ireland’s drinks industry.
Killarney will host its inaugural Kerry Drinks Festival on Saturday, 15 November at Killarney Racecourse.
The festival, sponsored by Carry Out Killarney and Dingle Distillery, will showcase a diverse range of Irish beverages including whiskeys, gins, craft beers, ciders, vodkas, and liqueurs in a day-long celebration of local craftsmanship.
“It will be a weekend of great drinks, great atmosphere and plenty of craic”
The event begins with a Trade Expo at 2:30 PM, designed for industry professionals from the bar, restaurant, and hospitality sectors. Attendees will have opportunities to meet producers, explore new products, and establish business connections ahead of the festive season.
A featured highlight will be the Dingle Distillery Masterclass from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM, offering guided tastings and insights into the distillery’s portfolio led by expert staff.
Raising a glass for innovation
The festival opens to the general public at 7:00 PM for the Brand Expo & Social, an immersive sampling experience set against the backdrop of Killarney Racecourse. Guests will receive complimentary festival tasting glasses designed to enhance flavors across all beverages.
The venue layout will guide attendees through a lively Beerhall with samples, past food vendors offering items for purchase, and into the Spirits Lounge. Complimentary mixers will be available for those preferring longer drinks, and guests are encouraged to interact with producers throughout the event.
The festival is organised by Sonya O’Dwyer and Laurie O’Dwyer, host of Whiskey Chats Podcast, who previously organized the successful Cork Whiskey Fest, which celebrated its third year in March 2025.
“We are thrilled to launch Kerry Drinks Festival this November,” Sonya O’Dwyer said. “With the help of everyone in Kerry, we are excited to create something really special for the county.”
Laurie O’Dwyer added: “It will be a weekend of great drinks, great atmosphere and plenty of craic.”
The festival aims to provide both connoisseurs and newcomers with opportunities to enjoy familiar favorites and discover new beverages in a single venue.
Tickets go on sale Friday, July 18th at 7:00 PM here.
-
Bank of Ireland is welcoming new customers every day – funding investments, working capital and expansions across multiple sectors. To learn more, click here
-
For support in challenging times, click here
-
Listen to the ThinkBusiness Podcast for business insights and inspiration. All episodes are here. You can also listen to the Podcast on:
-
Spotify
-
SoundCloud
-
Apple