Copeland Distillery
Copeland Distillery is a craft spirits producer on the historic Donaghadee harbourfront in County Down, Northern Ireland, producing Irish whiskey, gin, rum, vodka, and liqueurs inspired by the town's maritime heritage. Founded by Gareth Irvine, whose concept was sparked by a university project in 2015, the distillery takes its name from Copeland Island — the uninhabited island in Belfast Lough visible from the harbour. After a community crowdfunding campaign raised £30,000 from more than 370 local backers, the distillery opened in August 2019 in a beautifully restored 6,500 sq ft former cinema and Ards Bottling Company building that had lain derelict for over 20 years. It is one of the few distilleries in Northern Ireland making whiskey alongside a full complement of other craft spirits.
Tours
Available
On-site Shop
Open
Online Shop
Available
History
Gareth Irvine developed the concept for Copeland Distillery during his university studies in 2015, drawn to Donaghadee's deep-rooted maritime heritage and the emblematic Copeland Island in Belfast Lough. He spent the following year building community support, and in summer 2016 launched a crowdfunding campaign that raised £30,000 from more than 370 local supporters — pledges ranged from £50 to £500, giving the project a genuinely grassroots foundation.
The distillery took shape in a long-derelict building on the Donaghadee harbourfront, formerly serving as a cinema and later as the Ards Bottling Company. Construction lasted nine months, and the distillery opened its doors in August 2019 with three copper stills. In a personal touch, the stills were named after Gareth's grandmothers and mother: Betty and Hessie are the two whiskey stills; Pam is the gin still.
From 2019 onwards the distillery laid down malt and pot still whiskeys in a range of cask types, including ex-bourbon, Cognac, rum, Amontillado wine, and fino Sherry. Irish law requires a minimum three-year maturation, and the first Copeland whiskey releases reached market in 2024 — a significant milestone for the young distillery. The gin range draws on locally sourced fruits from County Down farms, including seasonal Ginfusion variants with rhuberry and raspberry-and-mint botanicals.
Production
Three copper pot stills are in operation: Betty and Hessie handle whiskey distillation, while Pam is dedicated to gin. The whiskey programme covers both malt and pot still styles across multiple cask types — ex-bourbon, Cognac, rum, Amontillado, and fino Sherry casks provide variety in the maturing stock. The distillery is located directly on the Donaghadee harbourfront, with the maritime microclimate of County Down influencing the character of the spirits. First whiskey releases appeared in 2024, following the mandatory three-year maturation period.
Tasting Character
Copeland's spirits carry a coastal maritime character rooted in their Donaghadee harbourfront home. The gin range is built on locally sourced County Down fruits, with the seasonal Ginfusions (Rhuberry; Raspberry & Mint) adding fresh, fruit-forward variety to the core Traditional and Navy Strength expressions. The whiskey programme spans both malt and pot still styles, with diverse cask finishes offering a range of flavour directions — from lighter bourbon-influenced expressions to richer Sherry and Amontillado-finished variants. The distillery emphasises community and provenance throughout its range.
What They Produce
Notable Bottlings
- Copeland Traditional Irish Gin£23.75 — Fruit-forward, locally sourced County Down botanicals
- Copeland Navy Strength Gin£37.75 — Intensified botanical character at higher ABV
- Copeland Ginfusion Rhuberry — Seasonal, rhubarb and berry flavour
- Copeland Ginfusion Raspberry & Mint£23.75 — Seasonal, fresh and vibrant
- Copeland Rum£29.00 — Caribbean-inspired, craft-distilled in Donaghadee
- Copeland Irish Vodka£35.75 — Clean, grain-based, locally made
- Copeland Cold Brew Coffee Liqueur — Rich coffee character
- Copeland Malt Whiskey£90.50 — Triple-distilled Irish malt (from 2024)
- Copeland Pot Still Whiskey£77.50 — Traditional Irish pot still style (from 2024)
Visiting
The visitor centre is open daily 09:00–16:00. Evening distillery tours run on Saturdays and must be booked in advance via the official website; they include a guided walk of the production floor and tastings of gins, rums, and whiskey. An online shop and physical on-site shop are both available. The distillery sits directly on the Donaghadee harbourfront, within walking distance of the town centre and ferry pier.
Official Website
