Lough Ree Distillery
Lough Ree Distillery is Ireland's smallest GI Verified Irish Whiskey Distillery, founded in 2018 by siblings Peter, Sheila, and Michael Clancy in their hometown of Lanesborough, County Longford. The distillery sits on the banks of the River Shannon where it opens into lough-ree, drawing on the region's clean waterways to define its character. Starting with gin and vodka in 2018, the Clancys commenced whiskey distillation in 2022 — a landmark that earned the distillery its coveted Geographical Indication status as a verified Irish whiskey producer.
Small in scale but ambitious in vision, Lough Ree is a family-owned microdistillery that brings artisan Irish spirits production back to the Irish Midlands. The Sling Shot Gin School adds an experiential dimension, welcoming visitors to craft their own gin, while guided boat trips on Lough Ree offer a connection to the landscape that shapes the distillery's identity.
Tours
Available
On-site Shop
Open
Online Shop
Available
History
The foundations of Lough Ree Distillery lie in a €5 million investment by the Clancy family — native Longford siblings who set out to revive spirits production in the Irish Midlands. The distillery launched its first product, Sling Shot Distilled Irish Gin, at the Taste of the Lakelands Food Fair in October 2018, immediately establishing a local fanbase and winning recognition as a significant addition to Ireland's growing craft spirits scene.
Whiskey distillation commenced in 2022, following a period of building capacity and reputation through gin and vodka production. The decision to begin whiskey production triggered the eligibility process for the Irish Whiskey Geographical Indication — a regulated status that guarantees provenance, production standards, and authenticity. Lough Ree achieved GI Verified Irish Whiskey Distillery status upon commencement of whiskey distillation, becoming the smallest distillery in the country to hold this designation.
The distillery's location in Lanesborough on the Shannon-Lough Ree corridor places it within a historically rich waterway landscape that once carried trade across the Irish interior, and today the Clancys draw on that heritage in both their branding and visitor experience.
Production
Lough Ree operates as a small-batch artisan distillery, producing Irish whiskey, gin, and vodka. Water from the River Shannon and Lough Ree underpins all production. The whiskey range includes Bart's Blended Irish Whiskey — a blended expression released while single malt stocks mature — and The Bridge Single Malt, which represents the distillery's flagship long-matured whiskey ambition. Gin production centres on Sling Shot Distilled Irish Gin, distilled using natural botanicals. Zesty Vodka completes the core spirit portfolio.
Tasting Character
The house style reflects the distillery's clean Shannon water source and artisanal small-batch approach. Sling Shot Gin is characterised by a fresh, natural botanical profile. The whiskey range is built on triple-distillation traditions typical of Irish whiskey, with Bart's Blended offering an accessible, smooth introduction to the range and The Bridge Single Malt delivering greater depth and complexity from extended maturation. The overall character speaks to provenance — clean, soft, and distinctly Irish Midlands in spirit.
What They Produce
Notable Bottlings
- Sling Shot Distilled Irish Gin — Flagship gin, natural botanicals, launched October 2018
- Bart's Blended Irish Whiskey — Accessible blended Irish whiskey; approachable everyday expression
- The Bridge Single Malt — Premium single malt Irish whiskey; the distillery's long-matured flagship
- Zesty Vodka — Clean, citrus-forward vodka expression
- Sling Shot Gin School Bespoke Gin — Visitor-crafted expression made at the on-site Gin School
Visiting
Tours and tastings covering whiskey, gin, and vodka production are available at the distillery by arrangement. The Sling Shot Gin School is open for bookings and allows visitors to craft their own gin under guidance from the Clancy family team. Guided sightseeing boat trips on Lough Ree can be arranged in conjunction with distillery visits, extending the experience into the waterway landscape that defines the brand. Online shop available at lrd.ie; physical shop on site.
Official Website
