Photo Caption: (Image 1: L to R) Caimin Keane, People and Culture at Ibec, Ambassador Peter Ryan, Carleen Madigan of Irish Whiskey Association, Helen Mulholland, Master Blender at Sazerac Ireland, Jack Teeling, Founder, Teeling Whiskey, Minister Martin Heydon, Eoin Keane, Chair of the Irish Whiskey Association, Sharon Higgins of Ibec, Tommy Keane,Chairman, Irish Distillers, and Claire Tolan, Managing Director – Ireland of Irish Distillers).
Press reelease:
The Irish Whiskey Association hosted its biennial Chair’s Awards this evening at the College Green Hotel in Dublin. These Awards, hosted by Helen Mulholland, Chair of the Irish Whiskey Association and Master Blender at Sazerac Ireland, recognise the true stalwarts of the Irish Whiskey industry and their work which makes Irish Whiskey the powerhouse of Irish drinks sales and exports.
Minister for Agriculture, Martin Heydon T.D., was on hand to oversee the evening’s proceedings and in his keynote address he recognised the contribution of the sector to local economies throughout the island: “These awards are not about a bottle, a brand or a medal on a label. They are about people. The people whose vision, persistence and, frankly, stubbornness took Irish whiskey from a category many had written off to one of the great success stories in world spirits”, he said.
Helen Mulholland was inaugurated as Chair of the Irish Whiskey Association in 2024, the first woman to hold this office. In her speech this evening, she recognised the diversity of the Irish Whiskey community: “The Irish whiskey industry stands where it does today because of countless individuals who gave their time, energy, expertise, and so often their hearts to its success. While we recognise five of them this evening, we know there are so many others deserving of praise.
There is something particularly fitting about an event such as tonight’s as it recognises the people behind the industry”.
The Irish Whiskey industry has shown its resilience over the past two years, under Ms Mulholland’s stewardship as Chair. The sector has had to overcome considerable turbulence and the introduction of a tariff in its biggest market, the USA, while business costs have continued to rise. To tackle this, many in the industry have shifted their focus to market diversification, seeing the profile of the category rise in several new markets, such as India, Japan, Nigeria and South Africa.
The Association recently welcomed US President Donald Trump’s announcement of his intention to remove the tariff on Irish Whiskey in the USA, noting that many commented on this tariff’s “unfairness”.
Irish Whiskey saw its most successful year last year, selling over 16 million cases (192 million bottles) worldwide and seeing the conclusion of a pivotal free trade agreement with India, the world’s biggest whiskey market.
This evening’s Awardees are:
Jack Teeling, Founder of Teeling Whiskey.
Jack comes from a family steeped in Irish Whiskey tradition. In 2015, Jack and his team opened the Teeling Whiskey Distillery in The Liberties, bringing Irish Whiskey distilling back to the nation’s capital for the first time in 125 years. The Teeling Distillery recently welcomed its 1 millionth visitor and has revitalised the area once known as the Golden Triangle such was the proliferation of whiskey distilleries.
Carleen Madigan, Legal Counsel of the Irish Whiskey Association
Carleen Madigan is Legal Counsel with the Irish Whiskey Association. She joined the Association shortly after its establishment and is charged with the protection of the category and its Geographical Indication (GI). Irish Whiskey now has legal protection in over 120 markets, and the category and GI is now synonymous with Irish excellence all over the world.
Ambassador Peter Ryan, Director of the Global Ireland Unit at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Ambassador Peter Ryan has served in Ireland’s Missions in Tokyo, Seoul, Singapore, New York, Hong Kong, New Zealand and most recently Nigeria. Ambassador Ryan has long recognised the role of Ireland’s diplomats in promoting homegrown products of excellence, and has been a strong supporter of Irish Whiskey distilleries, big and small. It is no coincidence that Irish Whiskey’s profile and sales have grown exponentially in many of the markets where he served as Ambassador or Consul General.
Tommy Keane, Chairman of Irish Distillers Limited
Tommy Keane has over 40 years’ experience with Irish Distillers, holding senior leadership roles across Operations, Engineering and Project Management. Mr Keane oversaw the expansion of the Irish Distillers facilities in Midleton, Co. Cork which led to Jameson becoming the world’s best-selling Irish Whiskey. Tommy’s contribution to the Irish Whiskey Association has been just as significant. His ethos has always been to support and encourage distilleries to make Irish Whiskey of real quality: whiskey that honours centuries of heritage and is made with true craft.
Willie Jack, Publican
Willie Jack is a veteran publican and businessman known as the “King of the Cathedral Quarter” in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Willie’s commitment to our category is representative of the support we receive from publicans and restauranteurs all over the world, and his establishments are recognised as among the best whiskey bars on the island.
Leave a Reply