IWS Dingle: Annual IWS Mary Ferriter & Oliver Hughes Memorial tasting (11 Dec 2026)

Fri, 11 Dec 2026 19:30:00 GMT

As usual, this event is being held to commemorate our dear friends and supporter Mary Ferriter who sadly passed away five years ago this month and also to remember Oliver Hughes whose magnificent idea it was to start making whiskey here in the first place. We all knew Mary and how considerate, kind and generous she was. She was a terrific supporter of the Irish Whiskey Society and its chapter in the town and was delighted to have such an organisation here on her doorstep in Dingle. In the event that she could not attend a tasting, she always purchased 2 tickets for the lads with whom she worked. She also sent her husband P.J. along in her stead. Oliver was the instigator and the driver behind the town's distillery and his son Elliot now leads the distillery on its journey. The distillery has recently obtained Planning Permission to renovate & extend so hopefully we may hear about some of their plans going forward.

Some of their family may also be in attendance.

In addition, we will have a very special guest at this event. Award-winning Irish poet Ger Devine will also join us and read some of his poetry as well as presenting one of his poems to Dick Mack's pub. Ger is President of the 1875 DFB Whiskey Club and prior to joining Dublin Fire Brigade, he spent many years working on the building sites of Dublin, Boston & San Francisco. He still plies his building skills by volunteering to work in third-world countries such as Africa. An animal and nature lover, Gerard recently moved up into the inspiring Wicklow mountains where he lives in harmony with nature with wife Stephanie and their rescue dog Saoirse.

While his favourite poet is the wonderful WB Yeats, much of Ger's poetry is inspired by Irish ballads and singers like Shane McGowan and Christy Moore.

We are also proud to have Dingle's resident distiller Paddy Foley to present an excellent repertoire of the Dingle spirit on the evening and there are bound to be some amazing whiskeys to be imbibed so get booking as everyone will want to pay tribute to their memories.

This event is free to all fully paid up members and is an evening NOT to be missed.

No admittance to persons under 18 years of age.

Whiskeys Tasted:

F of the year series is set to launch eight editions. following

Irish Whiskey Society upcoming events

IWS Dingle: Annual IWS Mary Ferriter & Oliver Hughes Memorial tasting (11 Dec 2026)