We were delighted to welcome President of Ireland Catherine Connolly and her husband, Brian McEnery, to Crolly Distillery today (25 September) for a visit that brought together whiskey, heritage and some lovely personal connections.
Speaking as Gaeilge throughout, the President took a full tour of our production facilities, showing a keen interest in how we craft our whiskey. She was particularly interested in the restoration of our historic building and the Irish language and heritage at the heart of the Croithlí brand.
The building’s earlier chapters sparked plenty of conversation. The President was fascinated by its connection to Donegal Carpets, whose creations have graced her official residence, Áras an Uachtaráin. The story of the famous Crolly Dolls prompted a memory from her own family.
“Bhí bábóg Chroithlí ag mo dheirfiúr,” she said, recalling that her sister had a Crolly doll many years ago.
For our visitors from Germany, who were taking a tour at the time, there was the unexpected delight of being joined by Ireland’s head of state. It certainly gave them another story to take home from Donegal.
During her visit, the President also met our team and sampled a little Croithlí Oloroso Single Cask she seemed pretty impressed by our latest special limited edition.
She is among some familiar faces we have been delighted to welcome recently, with Irish athletics legend Sonia O’Sullivan also visiting the distillery.
For everyone here, the presidential visit was a proud occasion and a chance to share the craft, language and history that make this corner of the Donegal Gaeltacht so special.
Go raibh míle maith agat, a Uachtaráin!
