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Sazerac Company Proudly Introduces Hawk’s Rock Distillery
Steeped in the natural beauty of County Sligo, Ireland, Hawk’s Rock represents the rebranding of Lough Gill Distillery, which was acquired by the spirits leader in 2022.
Leading global spirits company Sazerac, which owns and operates award-winning distilleries and homeplaces worldwide including Buffalo Trace Distillery in Kentucky; Domaine Sazerac de Segonzac in Cognac, France; and Paul John Distillery in Goa, India, is proud to announce the renaming of its recently-acquired Irish Whiskey Distillery to Hawk’s Rock Distillery. Formerly known as Lough Gill Distillery, Hawk’s Rock will continue to produce and age Irish Whiskey under the watchful eye of Master Blender Helen Mulholland on the over 100-acre site located in County Sligo, Ireland, which includes the nationally listed historic landmark Hazelwood House.
The name change reflects Sazerac Company’s vision for the future of Irish Whiskey – the art and science of blending, innovation and respect for Sligo’s rich heritage. Named after a prominent outcrop in the Ox Mountains that inspired Nobel Prize winning poet William Butler (W.B.) Yeats’ play “At the Hawk’s Well”, Hawk’s Rock Distillery aims to become a global hub for Irish Whiskey, while offering a gateway to explore the rich traditions of Sligo and the surrounding region.
“The renaming of Hawk’s Rock Distillery marks a new, yet familiar, frontier for us,” says Sazerac President and CEO Jake Wenz. “Sazerac is known for its balanced approach to honouring tradition while embracing change in constant pursuit of crafting the world’s best spirits at our distilleries in America, India, Canada and France. Our mission holds true for Ireland, and we are excited to reveal how we are blending time-honoured traditions with bold innovation to advance the art of Irish whiskey-making.”
Leading the Hawk’s Rock distillation team as Master Blender is Helen Mulholland, the first female Master Blender in Irish Whiskey history, Chair of the Irish Whiskey Association and a Whiskey Hall of Fame inductee. She and her carefully-selected team have been entrusted with leading the creation and blending of Hawk’s Rock’s innovative new-to-world Irish whiskey brands, the first of which will debut in June 2025.
Sazerac Company acquired Lough Gill Distillery in 2022, drawn by its historical significance and the cultural richness of Ireland. Since then, the team has upgraded and tripled its warehouse capacity, expanded production and is modernising the distillery, ensuring continued growth while maintaining its commitment to quality.
“This rebrand is just the beginning for Hawk’s Rock Distillery,” says Wenz. “Throughout the changes at Hawk’s Rock, our vision remains the same – creating a track record for the aging and blending of award-winning whiskeys – and this name change brings us one step closer to bringing that vision to life.”
While Hawk’s Rock Distillery is closed to the public during renovations, Sazerac has received planning permission to develop a future visitor experience in Sligo. To ensure an honest restoration of Hazelwood House, Sazerac has hired a Grade 1 Conservation Architect from Howley Hayes Cooney Studio to lead its restoration. The phased delivery of this plan is being established, and Sazerac looks forward to welcoming visitors in the future.
For more information, please visit hawksrockdistillery.com.
Sligo Town Night Time Economy Enrichment and Diversification Grants Awarded
Sligo Town was selected as one of nine pilot towns and cities that has prepared an action plan setting out a range of interventions to support the coordinated development of our night time economy. This is an initiative of the Department of Arts, Culture, Communications, Media and Sports delivered in partnership by Sligo BID and Sligo County Council.
Following a competitive application process reviewed by an independent panel, fourteen innovative projects have been awarded grant funding to bring new and exciting evening experiences to life. These events will take place from April through September, taking place between 6pm and late, Thursdays to Sundays, across ten different locations throughout Sligo Town.
The funded projects will offer a diverse mix of cultural and community programming, including:
- An Irish language live podcast
- Evening family walk
- Film shorts screenings
- Open-air trad agus tine (music & fire)
- DJ sets
- Comedy shows
- Community choir performance
- A Dance social
- Jazz music, and much more!
Edel Doran, Sligo Town’s Night-Time Economy Advisor, expressed her enthusiasm for what lies ahead:
“After the grant callout, I’m delighted and excited for what’s upcoming in Sligo town in the evening time. The grant process highlighted how Sligo is a place teeming with creative event organisers looking to offer something unique in the evening for the people of Sligo. It’s wonderful to see such a variance in the offering. I hope that this grant funding will help support these events to start off and then extend beyond the pilot window.”
Martin Lydon, Chief Executive of Sligo County Council, acknowledged the importance of a lively and safe night time economy; “We are proud to support this dynamic programme that highlights the creativity and energy within our events community. These grants not only enable exciting and inclusive events for all ages but also help strengthen Sligo’s identity as a vibrant, welcoming town after dark. It’s a key step in shaping a safer, more connected and culturally rich night-time experience for residents and visitors alike.”
Be sure to keep an eye on Sligo BID and Sligo County Council social media channels for events as they are officially announced.
Visit Sligo Seeking Social Media Agency for Paid Campaign Management
Sligo County Council is seeking a dynamic and creative provider to manage and elevate its “Visit Sligo” social media presence in 2025.
This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced social media agency or individual and involves comprehensive management of paid social media campaigns across platforms including Facebook, Instagram, Tiktok and Youtube.
We are passionate about showcasing everything our stunning region has to offer. From breathtaking landscapes and outdoor adventures to vibrant festivals and world class cultural experiences, Sligo is a destination that truly has something for everyone.
The successful provider will work with the Visit Sligo team at this exciting time and develop and deliver targeted campaigns across the main social media channels. These campaigns will focus on raising awareness of Sligo as a year-round destination and promoting specific festivals and events happening throughout the county.
The closing date for submissions is Wednesday 2nd April 2025 and the full details can be requested by email to amccormack@sligococo.ie
Sligo shines on the great Irish bucket list
Sligo has taken centre stage in The Great Irish Bucket List, recently published by Discover Ireland! This inspiring guide highlights must-see destinations across the country, and Sligo proudly features not once, not twice, but three times on the list.
It’s no surprise to us, of course. Those of us lucky enough to live here know that Sligo’s landscape, culture, and outdoor adventures are second to none. But it’s wonderful to see our county receiving this kind of national spotlight, reminding everyone just how special Sligo is.
So, which Sligo gems made the list?
1. Walk to Coney Island at low tide
A visit to tranquil Coney Island in Sligo is as much about the journey as it is about the destination – it’s accessible only by car or foot at low tide. The remote island gets its name from the colony of rabbits who live there, follow the stone pillars that mark out the route and tell your friends how you walked to an island.
2. Visit Carrowmore
Carrowmore is currently undergoing refurbishment and is due to re-open with a new refreshed visitor experience in May 2025. You can keep up to date with these details on their website here.
Older than the great Egyptian pyramids, the Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery in Sligo is one of the most important megalithic sites in Ireland with an extraordinary collection of huge dolmens, tombs, and stone circles. Wander around the mysterious stone structures, immerse yourself in their rich history and uncover their ancient secrets.
3. Surf on the Wild Atlantic Way
Sligo is lucky to have the National Surf Centre in the beautiful coastal village of Strandhill – just outside Sligo town. Warm showers and clean changing facilities are available and you can enjoy a friendly surf lesson with qualified teachers no matter what your level is. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro, there’s a perfect wave for you to tick surfing the Atlantic off your list. Check out the National Surf Centre website here.
We have so much to see and do here in Sligo. Check out our What’s on guide too for the best music, arts and festivals.
You can see what else made the great Irish bucket list here.
Sligo Gears Up for Holiday World Show 2025 for 3rd year
Twenty Four Tourism Businesses Rally together to Showcase the Best of Sligo on the national stage.
In preparation for the upcoming Holiday World Show 2025, taking place at the RDS in Dublin from Friday, January 24th to Sunday, January 26th, Sligo County Council, who are co-ordinating the project, hosted an industry information session for local tourism businesses and organisations involved in tourism within the county.
The session followed weeks of preparation and provided an invaluable opportunity to engage and brief tourism stakeholders on plans for the exhibition and to build momentum for what promises to be a crucial event for the promotion of Sligo as a visitor destination.
The Holiday World Show is Ireland’s premier travel exhibition, drawing thousands of visitors over three days who are eager to discover the best travel destinations, experiences, and adventures.
This year, with a brand new look, Sligo aims to take centre stage, showcasing its rich cultural heritage, stunning landscapes, vibrant arts, music scene, food and top-tier hospitality offerings to a national and international audience.
From local accommodation providers to adventure tour operators, from food specialists to wellness businesses, the collective goal is to inspire visitors to choose Sligo as their next destination.
“This is an exciting opportunity for Sligo to showcase all we have to offer on a national stage,” said Aidan McCormack, Tourism Officer with Sligo County Council.
“Our tourism businesses and industry stakeholders offer a world class experience in a stunning place and we want to encourage as many people as possible to come to Sligo and enjoy the magic of this place for themselves.”
Visitors to the Sligo stand at the Holiday World Show can look forward to engaging with local industry experts and take the chance to win prizes totalling over €1000 each day. Local food and drink samples will be available and the distinctive sound of Sligo style traditional music will entertain visitors throughout the show.
Sligo to Shine at Holiday World Show 2025 in Dublin & Local Tourism Businesses Invited to Participate
Sligo is set to take centre stage at Ireland’s largest tourism exhibition, the Holiday World Show 2025 at the RDS in Dublin this coming January, and it has been announced that local tourism businesses now have the opportunity to join Sligo County Council at this important event.
Sligo County Council is inviting tourism operators and tourism businesses from across the county to express their interest in being part of the Visit Sligo stand at the Holiday World Show.
This three-day event, running from Friday 24th January to Sunday 26th January, 2025, will provide a unique platform to showcase Sligo’s vibrant tourism offering to thousands of potential visitors.
From stunning landscapes and outdoor adventures to rich cultural heritage and gourmet experiences, Sligo has something to offer every visitor. By working together, local businesses can promote their own offerings and also raise the profile of Sligo as a must-visit destination. This will attract more visitors to explore our wonderful region in 2025 and beyond.
Director of Services, Dorothy Clarke emphasised the benefits of collaboration for local tourism operators:
“The Holiday World Show offers an unparalleled opportunity for Sligo’s tourism businesses to showcase their offerings directly to thousands of potential visitors, all under one roof. This event not only promotes individual businesses but also strengthens Sligo’s profile as a destination full of adventure, history, and natural beauty. By working together, we can amplify our message and draw more people to discover what makes Sligo so special.”
Tourism businesses interested in partnering with Sligo County Council for this exciting opportunity are encouraged to submit an expression of interest as soon as possible by via the Tourism Officer. Participants will have the chance to engage with visitors, network with other tourism providers, and benefit from the exposure generated by the Council’s presence at the event.