Jameson Distillary

Our Favourite Facts About Jameson Irish Whisky

Learn all about Ireland's famous tipple...
By Megan Hills

From its true origins to the unique distillation process, here are some fun facts we bet you didn't know!

Partial to a snifter of whisky? You'll want to know some of these fascinating facts about Jameson Irish Whisky!

single-glass-jameson-whiskey

If you're keen on a tumbler of whisky after a hard day's work, there's no place better than Ireland to enjoy it. Jameson whisky is undeniably the most famous brand in Ireland - if not the world - but there's a lot of misconceptions about it. Before you head to the Jameson Distillery Bow St., check out some little known facts about Jameson Irish Whisky.

Jameson was actually a Scottish creation

Don't bring this up with a local, the British rivalries run deep. The founder of Jameson Irish Whisky was a Scottish lawyer called John Jameson, who married into an Irish family that owned a Dublin distillery. The rest is history.

On the same thread, Jameson is now owned by a French company

This whiskey's having a bit of a cultural identity crisis. Pernod Ricard, the same liquor company that owns Absolut and Chivas Regal, bought the brand in 1988 however Jameson is still made in Cork, Ireland.

The Jameson motto 'Sine metu' and coat of arms was a national honour

irish-whiskey-glass-whisky-wiskey-stones

The Jamesons were a ferocious bunch and drove off pirates bothering villages along the coast of Scotland in the 1500s. To honour them, they were granted a distinctive coat of arms with the text 'Sine Metu', which translates to without fear. You can find it on all the Jameson labels.

Before 1968, Jameson was only sold by the cask

Casual whisky drinkers would've found buying a bottle of Jameson a little difficult before the 60s, as it was sold by the cask. It wasn't until 1968 that you could stroll into a corner shop and pick up a bottle, ending a 200 year old tradition.

Only 10% of Jameson stays in Ireland

After Pernod Ricard bought Jameson, they aggressively started exporting its iconic whisky overseas and raised its international profile considerably. Out of the millions of cases of Jameson crafted, 90% of it is sent off to greener pastures and foreign bars.

Jameson was the only producer of whisky in Ireland in the 70s

The Irish economy took a pretty hard hit in the 1970s when prohibition kicked in in the United States, meaning that liquor company sales plummeted. In an act of self-defense, the big four whisky brands merged and Jameson came out on top.

Jameson is the most popular Irish whisky globally

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With such high export rates, it's no surprise that Jameson's a big international brand. However the number of bottles sold annually is mind-boggling - 31 million bottles are sold and 70% of all Irish whisky sales in America belong to Jameson. Pernod Ricard really helped turn things around.

The distillation process is what makes Jameson so special

Most standard whiskies you're going to get are going to be at a push twice-distilled, however Jameson goes a step further by adding another step to the distillation process. It's all triple-distilled for a super rich, smooth taste.

It's all in the wood

Jameson experts travel all over the world to look for the perfect wood for their oak barrels every year, to help give the liquor its distinctive taste. Unfortunately good old Irish wood is out of the equation after the number of oak trees dropped significantly in the 1800s, so most of their barrels are made using materials from the US, England and Spain.

People ran into a burning building to save Irish whisky

When a fire took a whisky distillery in 1875, people ran straight into the fire to steal as much booze as they could. Apparently, people wound up being hospitalised and four even died after drinking boiling hot whisky.

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Things to do in Dublin in Summer

Ok ok, so the Caribbean it ain’t, but summer in Dublin is nevertheless a pleasant season defined by warm, (mostly) dry days, lively festivals and events aplenty, and evenings balmy enough to dine al fresco. Unsurprising, then, that the months of June to August are among Dublin’s most popular. Read on for our guide to visiting Dublin in summer, including Bloomsday and Dublin Pride celebrations, what to expect from the weather and, of course, the best places to sample the black stuff. Our guide includes: The Guinness Storehouse St Stephen’s Green Phoenix Park Dublin bike tours Temple Bar Howth Maritime & Seafood Festival The Wicklow Mountains Bloomsday Dublin Pride Visiting Dublin in Summer Dublin’s summers are pleasantly warm affairs with July – the hottest month of the year – having been known to hit (gasp!) the dizzy heights of the high 60s. This is Northern Europe after all, where ‘pleasantly warm’ is a relative term. So if you’ve been picturing sizzling Mediterranean beaches for your summer vacation, move along please, you’ve come to the wrong place. Like the weather here, summer tourism in Dublin is generally mild... with the occasional downpour. In other words, even though May to September is peak season in Ireland, the attraction queues are rarely overwhelming and, though hotel prices have – to be sure – increased with demand, there’s still plenty of affordable accommodation to be had, especially if you’re willing to stay a little outside of the center. However, there will still be occasions when tempers fray due to waiting times at, say, the popular Guinness Storehouse or Book of Kells, just as there will be times you’ll be glad you packed an umbrella and waterproof walking boots. As for what else you should pack for your summer adventure in Dublin, layers are your friend. While you might (just about) get away with short sleeves and bare legs on hotter days, you’ll be thankful for that cardigan and pair of comfy jeans after sunset. Things to do in Dublin in Summer Outdoor types rejoice! For Dublin is an adventurer’s paradise, with stacks of al fresco activities to get involved in both inside and outside the city. First up on our hotlist of recommendations is – and bear with us on this one – Dublin Bay’s beaches! Ok sure, it takes a brave soul to take the plunge and dive into the icy Irish Sea without first donning a wetsuit, but the sweeping sandy beaches along this stretch of coastline are perfect for picnics, scenic strolls and, well, just chilling on the sand with a good book and a glass of vino. Hit up Dollymount Strand (pictured) or Sandymount, or head a little further afield for the many #humblebrag Insta opportunities presented by beautiful beaches at Portmarnock, Killiney and Howth. Sticking with the outdoor theme, summer is as good a time as any to rent a bike and explore Dublin at your own pace. Pedal your way to big-ticket attractions including medieval Christ Church Cathedral, with its creepy crypt and resident (mummified) cat and rat. Wobble riverside to the historic Kilmainham Gaol Museum, famed for its role in the Easter Rising executions and Irish War of Independence, and essential to any meaningful understanding of Irish history and heritage. Don’t forget to stop off at the Guinness Storehouse for some much-needed refreshment along the way! Many of these attractions and tours are included with a pass from Go City, meaning you can save money if you plan to visit a few of them. Dublin’s lush public parks really come into their own in summer. Stroll the seemingly endless pathways of the sprawling Phoenix Park, a former royal hunting ground that’s home to herds of fallow deer, and is almost as big as Dublin itself! And picnic on the lawns of St Stephen’s Green, a verdant Victorian oasis at the end of busy Grafton Street, where a bust of James Joyce, abstract Henry Moore sculpture of W.B. Yeats and imposing statue of brewing magnate Arthur Guinness provide points of interest among the greenery, gardens and duckponds. Day trips to the dramatic Cliffs of Moher and charming seaside village of Howth present further opportunities to experience Ireland’s wild, untamed beauty. Ramblers and romantics alike will also get a real kick out of the Wicklow Mountains south of the city, where long walks in otherworldly landscapes dotted with rivers, bogs and neolithic tombs will have you coming over all Bill Bryson. What’s on: Dublin Summer Events There’s plenty going on during summer in Dublin. Dublin Pride has been a June fixture in the city for 40 years, promising a rollicking roster of events celebrating LGBTQ+ culture, including queer-history walking tours, hard-hitting theatrical drama, world-class drag acts, lively club nights, live music and more. The festival’s focal point is the colorful Pride Parade, which sees O’Connell Street transformed into party central, as flamboyant floats and extravagantly costumed revelers wobble and weave their way down to Pride Village in Merrion Square. Bookworms will find much to enjoy on Bloomsday, which any James Joyce fan worth their salt will tell you falls on 16th June, as depicted in his novel Ulysses. In fact, Bloomsday runs for several days around the 16th, and features performances, readings and other events, many taking place at the very locations and establishments referenced in the book. Get into the spirit by dressing the part: think Edwardian garb including shawls, frilly blouses and fancy hats for the ladies, and Joyce-style britches, braces and straw hats for the lads. Similar in name only, Bloom is Ireland’s largest gardening festival and promises five days of green-fingered fun every June. Expect exquisitely presented gardens spanning some 10 acres of Phoenix Park, with a side order of celeb-chef cookery demonstrations and a difficult-to-resist artisan food market. In August, the Dublin Horse Show canters into town, bringing racing, showjumping and dressage events galore to the eager (and well-dressed) masses, as well as plenty of family fun including kids’ entertainment and pony rides. Last but by no means least, September’s Howth Maritime & Seafood Festival caps off the Dublin summer schedule with a welcome return to the beach. We’re talking two days of family fun in one of Ireland’s prettiest seaside towns. As the name suggests, you can expect some of the finest seafood this fair isle has to offer, as well as funfairs, treasure hunts, circus acts, Irish dancing, boat rides and stacks more. Save on things to do in Dublin Save on admission to Dublin attractions with Go City. Check out @GoCity on Instagram for the latest top tips and attraction info.
Stuart Bak
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When the Sun Goes Down - Things to Do in Dublin at Night

The Irish capital comes to life once the sun sets! Find out things to do in Dublin at night with our comprehensive guide! As any night-owl knows - once the sun goes down is when a city really heats up and Dublin is no different! From cultural evenings and delicious local produce to toe-tapping Irish tunes, pub crawls and more, we've got the low-down on the best after-dark activities with our favourite things to do in Dublin at night. An Evening of Food, Folklore and Fairies The Abbey Theatre See the best that Dublin's theatre scene has to offer at the country's national theatre, where some of the greatest stories by Irish playwrights such as JM Synge and Brian Friel have been performed. Discover what's on in their events calendar here. Dublin Pass holders receive 10% off. James Joyce Reading Groups If you're a massive literature buff, this reading group held in Sweny's Pharmacy is your chance to flex your creative smarts. Dedicated to uncovering the mysteries of Irish poet James Joyce's masterworks who popularised the space in his epic Ulysses, they have multiple evening classes on Thursday (Ulysses), Saturday (Ulysses in French) and Sundays (Finnegans Wake). Ghostbus Tour Slam! Sunday Ireland has been home to some of the world's most prolific storytellers and that tradition continues to this day in modern Dublin. Slam! Sunday is a monthly slam poetry competition in which twelve poets face off against one another in a creative battle, after which audience judges choose who wins a cash prize. Poets can sign up at the door and twelve names are randomly selected to compete on the night. Temple Bar Pub Crawl Temple Bar Night Market If you happen to be around in the summer, the streets of Temple Bar are transformed into a vibrant market full of gorgeous handicrafts and art. Held every Wednesday evening starting from late April to August, it's the perfect place to pick up a unique Irish souvenir made by some of the city's creative talent. Patrick Guilbaud As Ireland's only two Michelin starred restaurant, Patrick Guilbaud is representative of the best of Dublin fine dining. Perfect for an extra special date night, the most discerning diners in the capital have been eating here since 1981 and it continues to amaze with dishes such as lobster ravioli and a wine list to die for. Dawn2Dusk Guided Photography Tours   Practice your photography skills with some of the city's local photographers, who cater to hobbyists and professionals looking for their perfect shots. With a special night tour that spans the most beautiful sites along the River Liffey, it's a great way to spend a few hours enjoying the city. Bernard Shaw Ready to dance your heart out? One of Dublin's biggest nightlife teams Bodytonic continues to run fantastic events at their sweetheart club, The Bernard Shaw. With both international DJs and local musicians tearing up the decks, there's always something on to help you while the dark hours away. Hopefully that gives you a few good ideas on things to do in Dublin at night. Save on Admission to Popular Attractions Regular admission to a number of historical Dublin attractions is available on our Dublin Go City products. Choose as you go from 20+ Dublin activities and save on combined admission vs paying at the gate. See all available passes and Dublin-based attractions here.
Megan Hills

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