Festival Gets Ready To Celebrate Belfast’s Irish Whiskey Heritage

Ireland’s largest whiskey festival, the 3rd Belfast Whiskey Week, is gearing up to welcome whiskey enthusiasts from around the world for a virtual interactive experience and some in-person activities to celebrate Belfast’s whiskey legacy and production.

The week runs from July 23 to 31 and is sponsored by Irish Whiskey App, Willis Insurance and Hastings Hotel Group.

With evolving COVID-19 guidelines and restrictions, this year’s festival will have limited in-person tasting events, including a gala dinner featuring nine local whiskeys at The Europa Hotel on Friday, July 23.

Ireland’s largest whiskey festival, the 3rd Belfast Whiskey Week, is gearing up to welcome whiskey enthusiasts from around the world (image via Belfast Whiskey Week)

The entire festival will be a virtual and digitally interactive experience and will broadcast from multiple iconic venues in Belfast. There will be more than 85 live tastings, 50 entertainment events like local comedians, musicians, artists and DJs, more than 10 whiskey Q&A’s and debate sessions.

 “It is a must attend event for those with an interest and taste for all things whiskey. We are delighted to provide limited in-person participation this year which will follow covid safety guidelines,” festival organiser Paul Kane said in a prepared statement. “We will continue to connect with our audiences at home and around the world by providing access to a virtual and digitally interactive experience from noon to midnight, spanning 9 consecutive days, by using the latest technology.  Participants can hone their tastes, experiment with new flavors as well as interact online with fellow enthusiasts.”

The Belfast Whiskey Week is a community-led initiative driven by a group of enthusiasts from Belfast Whiskey Club.

“We very much thank all our sponsors, partners and supporters, with their support we can help showcase Belfast’s fantastic Whiskey Heritage and make Belfast a must visit city for enthusiasts from across the world in the years ahead,” Kane said.

Prices for the Belfast Whiskey Week passes range from £15-£150 and are available across a variety of levels including introduction, intermediate, masterclass and include tasting boxes.