The Irish Whiskey Association (IWA) has confirmed that its director, Eoin Ó Catháin, has been appointed to the board of the World Spirits Alliance (WSA). The appointment formally commenced last week and positions Ó Catháin to represent the interests of smaller trade associations and heritage spirits categories at a global policy level.
The Geneva-based WSA serves as the global voice of the spirits industry. It brings together multinational companies and regional trade associations to represent the sector in policy discussions.
Its core priorities include international trade, alcohol and health, and tax and excise.
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READ THE STORYÓ Catháin will bring a heritage, whiskey tourism and international-trade-driven outlook to the forum.
“It is an honour to join the board of the World Spirits Alliance,” said Ó Catháin. “95% of Irish Whiskey distil is exported and navigating the complexities of global trade and policy, from tariffs, to expansion in emerging markets, to protecting our Geographic Indication, has been central to the IWA’s work.”
He added: “While a board member of WSA, I will continue to ensure that the specific needs of Irish Whiskey and similar historical spirits categories worldwide have a direct voice in the global policy decisions that shape our trading environment.”
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Helen Medina, CEO of the World Spirits Alliance, welcomed the appointment. “We are delighted to welcome Eoin to the WSA board,” she said. “Eoin’s experience representing Irish Whiskey on the global stage will ensure that the unique perspectives and needs of categories like Irish Whiskey are front and centre as we continue to navigate complex global discussions around trade, fair taxation and our role in reducing the harmful consumption of alcohol.”
Ó Catháin was appointed director of the IWA in 2023. He previously worked at the Embassy of Ireland in Canada, as head of advocacy at Spirits Europe, and as a political correspondent with RTÉ’s Raidió na Gaeltachta.
Under his leadership, Irish whiskey exports have grown 75% to India and 23% to Japan since 2023. A record 16.46 million cases of Irish whiskey sold globally in 2025.
Cormac Healy, director of Drinks Ireland at Ibec, described the move as “a significant endorsement of the Irish Whiskey Association’s work and the global standing of Ireland’s spirits sector.”
