Irish whiskey has been produced since the 12th century and is one of the earliest distilled drinks in Europe. As such, it belongs to Ireland just like Guinness, Irish Pubs, the Shamrock and St. Patrick’s Day. So, naturally, it also has its place in music and film – whether it originates from Ireland or somewhere else in the world. And with Irish whiskey on the rise again – get to know more about the renaissance in our blog post dedicated to the topic – there are also many public figures investing in the spirit. In this post, we’ll have a look behind Irish whiskey in pop culture.
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Irish Whiskey on the Screen
Irish whiskey has made its way onto the big screen in numerous memorable moments. One example is the classic The Quiet Man, an American film from 1952, which is set in Ireland. The romantic comedy shows beautiful and typically Irish green landscapes, as it has been filmed in county Mayo, as well as characters bonding over glasses of whiskey in several scenes. Brooklyn (2015), with Irish actress Saoirse Ronan and In Bruges (2008), with Collin Farrel and Brendan Gleesan, also feature Irish whiskey in key moments. The connection between Irish culture and Irish whiskey is further drawn in the blockbuster Gangs of New York (2002). Here, immigrants from Ireland play a leading role, and their community is often seen consuming Irish whiskey. The 2022 Oscar-winning dark comedy The Banshees of Inisherin (2022), again with Irish actors Collin Farrel and Brendan Gleesan, who play two estranged friends, also includes moments where their characters drink whiskey. In this film, set on Achill Island, whiskey is not only tied to tradition in Ireland but also to the theme of friendship.
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Really prominent is Irish whiskey also in the hit series Peaky Blinders. While most of the action takes place in Birmingham, main character Tommy Shelby prefers to drink Irish whiskey. If you look closely, you can even make out a brand: Bushmills. To honor the series, the distillery even released a special edition whiskey. The Bushmills Prohibition Recipe by Order of the Shelby Company is made true to the way whiskey was made at Bushmills when the Shelby family ran the streets in the 1920s.
Irish whiskey in music
Even more prominent than in films is Irish whiskey in music. One of the reasons being that the Irish have lots of traditional songs where beer and whiskey are often central topics in the lyrics. Whiskey in the Jar, for example, has been covered by artists like Thin Lizzy and later Metallica. While The Irish Rovers apparently like to drink Whiskey on a Sunday, The Pogues sang about the Streams of Whiskey in 1984. The song inspired John O’Connel, owner of West Cork Distillers, to produce an Irish whiskey named after the song and band. Similarly, you can also find Thin Lizzy whiskey on many store shelves.
More critical of the love of Irish people towards their beer and whiskey is Christy Moore, who humorously critiques Ireland’s deep relationship with alcohol in the song Delirium Tremens.
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Irish celebrities and Irish whiskey
Not only do Irish musicians praise Irish whiskey in their songs – also, several other celebrities, like Bono or Pierce Brosnan have expressed their appreciation for the spirit. Some also released their own whiskeys. The Irish whiskey, or rather a blend of American bourbon matured single grain whiskey and triple distilled Sherry aged single malt whiskey, called Sláinte, for example, is promoted by actor Liev Schreiber. You may know him from X-Men Origins: Wolverine or the TV series Ray Donovan. Sam Neill, mostly known for his role in Jurassic Park, is also involved in the production of an Irish whiskey: Gelston‘s Single Pot Still Pinot Noir Finish Irish Whiskey is a special edition that is finished in Pinot Noir casks from Sam Neill’s wine production in New Zealand.
Irish whiskey’s presence in pop culture reflects more than just its smooth taste; it represents a connection to Ireland’s storytelling tradition. Keep an eye and an ear open when listening to music and watching films, and you might even find more references to Irish whiskey in pop culture.
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