Filter

Filter By

Product Type

Origin

Type

Price Range

DUNVILLES

(3 items)
  • 3 items
  • Viewing all
     
  • 3 items
  • Viewing all
     

About Dunvilles

The story of Dunville's Irish Whiskey is one of legacy and resurgence. It's a saga steeped in Irish tradition that traces its roots back to the start of the 19th century. In 1808, William Napier and John Dunvill announced the launch of their wine and spirit business, Napier & Dunvill. Over the years, this partnership evolved into Dunville & Co. Ltd., a name that became synonymous with premium Irish whiskey.

Under the leadership of five successive generations of the Dunville family, the company reached new heights. At the turn of the 20th century, Ireland was producing 14 million gallons of whiskey annually, with The Royal Irish Distilleries, home of Dunville's Irish Whiskey, contributing a significant 2.5 million gallons. With expansive malting floors, numerous washbacks, multiple pot stills, a Coffey still and its own railway siding, the Royal Irish Distilleries stood as a testament to the company's modernity and innovation.

The influence of Dunville's was not confined to the distillery but extended into the very fabric of Belfast's society. Known for their philanthropy, the Dunville family demonstrated a deep sense of responsibility towards their employees. They were instrumental in providing affordable housing for the working class, and contributed towards recreational facilities, founding the Distillery Football Club in 1880. Their generosity also extended to creating public spaces, such as Dunville Park, which was built on land donated by the company in 1890. Today, landmarks like Dunville Street, Distillery Street and the Distillery Football Club serve as reminders of the family's enduring contribution to Belfast.

However, the story took a tragic turn in 1931 when Robert Lambart Dunville, the fifth Chairman of Dunville & Co. Ltd., died unexpectedly. The subsequent leadership vacuum, coupled with the fallout of the Great War, led to a steady decline in the company's fortunes. The distillery ceased operations in 1935, and the company was liquidated in 1936. Over the following years, the once-majestic Royal Irish Distilleries were gradually dismantled.

But Dunville's story didn't end there. The Echlinville Distillery, becoming the first newly licensed distillery in Ireland in over 125 years, undertook the monumental task of reviving Dunville's Irish Whiskey. The revival was a tribute to 'The Spirit of Belfast' that Dunville's had come to symbolise over a century. Echlinville Distillery, while retaining the essence of Dunville's rich history, infuses the brand with a modern spirit. It stands as a bridge between Dunville's illustrious past and its promising future, echoing the sentiment that the best of Dunville's Irish Whiskey is yet to come.

Close

POP-IN HTML goes here

Close

Your Basket

Your basket is currently empty