Express Jameson Whiskey Experience with Visit to Ireland’s Oldest Pub
Join the Express Jameson Whiskey tour to taste exquisite whiskey and learn about its rich history from expert guides.
Dublin's Three Icons: Guinness, Jameson and Roe & Co - A Guide to Ireland's Most Famous Drinks
Dublin is known for two things: its history and its drinks. The city’s identity flows through three major experiences: Guinness Storehouse, Jameson Distillery Bow Street, and Roe & Co Distillery.
Each offers a different experience and tells a different chapter of Dublin’s story. Understanding what they provide helps you decide where to spend your time.
If you are deciding which to visit, or whether to see all three, This guide explains what makes each one distinct, what you’ll see, and how to choose between them.
A Brief History: Why Dublin Became a Drink Capital
In the 18th and 19th centuries, Dublin was one of the most important distilling cities in the world. Whiskey production flourished across The Liberties and Smithfield.
Breweries expanded. Trade routes grew. And, over time, consolidation and decline reduced the number of working distilleries. Today’s drink experiences reflect both history and revival.
Guinness remains a global symbol. Jameson preserves traditional whiskey heritage. Roe & Co represents the return of distilling to Dublin. Understanding this context makes each visit more meaningful.
Explore our range of Dublin Tours
Express Jameson Whiskey Experience with Visit to Ireland’s Oldest Pub
Join the Express Jameson Whiskey tour to taste exquisite whiskey and learn about its rich history from expert guides.
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Dublin Coastal Tour – Dalkey Castle & Village & Island Adventure
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Howth Summit & Castle Early Access Tour – Dublin Coastal Escape
Join us for an unforgettable journey to Howth Summit & Castle. Experience Dublin's beauty and history on this scenic adventure.
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Guinness Storehouse & Jameson Irish Whiskey Experience
The two names that define Irish drinking culture — together in one tour. Guinness Storehouse, Jameson Distillery, and an expert guide connecting the stories behind both.
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Dublin Night Tour: Jameson Whiskey Experience, Historic Pubs & Irish Music Tour
Join the Dublin Night Tour for an unforgettable evening of whiskey tastings, live music, and storytelling in historic pubs.
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1916 Rising Tour: Road to Freedom & GPO Witness History Museum
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House of Guinness: Legacy & Legends Walking Tour
Uncover the legacy of the House of Guinness as you walk through Dublin, learning the impact of this iconic family on Irish culture.
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Guinness Storehouse and VIP Roe & Co Whiskey Tasting Tour
Experience Dublin’s best drinks on a guided tour of the Guinness Storehouse and Roe & Co Distillery, with VIP tastings included.
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A History of Ireland Tour in 2.5 Hours
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Ultimate Jameson Distillery Master Blending
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Indulge in a premium Dublin food tour featuring bites, bars, and a classic Irish coffee-making class.
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Dublin Food Tour: Bites, Sights & Irish Coffee Master Class
Indulge in a premium Dublin food tour featuring bites, bars, and a classic Irish coffee-making class.
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Dublin Spirits Tour: Guinness, Whiskey & Gin Experience
Discover the true spirit of Dublin on a premium guided tour of Irish whiskey, craft gin, and iconic Guinness—complete with tastings, stories, and skyline views.
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Guinness Storehouse:Ireland's Most Recognisable Pint
The Guinness Storehouse is Ireland’s most visited tourist attraction and it’s only a 20-minute walk from the city centre. Over 1.7 million people visit it annually.
The Storehouse focuses on the story of stout: the grain, the roasting process, the water, the yeast, and the branding that made it global.
Why Visit?
Guinness is Ireland’s most recognisable export. This experience explains how a local brewery became a global brand. The Gravity Bar views are exceptional on clear days — you can see the Dublin Mountains and the coastline.
What You’ll Experience:
Ground Floor: The four ingredients (water, barley, hops, yeast) and Arthur Guinness’s 9,000-year lease
Middle Floors: Brewing science, fermentation process, and iconic advertising history
Top Floor (Gravity Bar): 360° views of Dublin + complimentary pint
The building itself is large and immersive. It is designed for high visitor numbers and it’s perfect for first-time visitors who want the classic Dublin experience and skyline views.
What to Know:
Book weeks in advance (especially May–September)
Busiest between 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Wheelchair accessible
with LetzGo City ToursHow to Experience Guinness
We offer four ways to see Guinness as part of a guided experience, depending on how deep you want to go:
1. Guinness Storehouse & Jameson Irish Whiskey Experience: Covers both icons in one visit with skip-the-line access and a local expert guide. Includes a pint at the Gravity Bar and a whiskey tasting at Jameson. The most popular combination for first-time visitors.
2. House of Guinness: Legacy & Legends Walking Tour: A walking tour focused on the Guinness family’s wider impact on Dublin’s history and culture, beyond the Storehouse itself. Ideal for those who want the story behind the brand as much as the building as you can add an Upgrade to enter the Storehouse at the end of this tour.
3. Dublin Spirits Tour: Guinness, Whiskey & Gin Experience: The most comprehensive option, combining Guinness with an Irish whiskey distillery and a Dublin gin distillery in a single 5-hour guided experience with reserved access and tastings throughout.
4. Guinness Storehouse & VIP Roe & Co Whiskey Tasting Tour? Pairs Dublin’s most famous drink with its most refined whiskey experience. Skip-the-line access to both, includes a whiskey cocktail and a pint of Guinness at the Gravity Bar. The premium combination for those who want quality over quantity.
Guinness Storehouse & Jameson Irish Whiskey Experience
The two names that define Irish drinking culture — together in one tour. Guinness Storehouse, Jameson Distillery, and an expert guide connecting the stories behind both.
From €138
House of Guinness: Legacy & Legends Walking Tour
Uncover the legacy of the House of Guinness as you walk through Dublin, learning the impact of this iconic family on Irish culture.
From €49
Dublin Spirits Tour: Guinness, Whiskey & Gin Experience
Discover the true spirit of Dublin on a premium guided tour of Irish whiskey, craft gin, and iconic Guinness—complete with tastings, stories, and skyline views.
From €179
Guinness Storehouse and VIP Roe & Co Whiskey Tasting Tour
Experience Dublin’s best drinks on a guided tour of the Guinness Storehouse and Roe & Co Distillery, with VIP tastings included.
From €109
Jameson Distillery Bow Street:Irish Whiskey's Heritage
Jameson is the world’s best-selling Irish whiskey. The Bow Street distillery in Smithfield is where it all began. Production moved to a larger facility in Cork, but the original site has been restored as a visitor experience.
It is a heritage site with guided tours, tasting rooms, and cocktail bars. The building itself is smaller and more intimate than the Guinness Storehouse.
Why Visit?
Jameson offers the clearest whiskey education in Dublin. You learn tasting technique, flavour identification, and Ireland’s unique pot still tradition. The experience is more intimate than Guinness but less refined than Roe & Co.
What You’ll Experience:
Guided Tour: Triple-distillation process and Irish whiskey’s unique production method
Tasting Session: Sample Jameson’s core range with expert guidance
JJ Bar: Whiskey cocktails in a modern Irish pub setting
The tone is educational but accessible. You leave understanding not just how whiskey is made, but why Irish whiskey tastes distinct.
What to Know:
Book 3–5 days in advance
Tours run every 30–45 minutes
Smaller groups than Guinness
with LetzGo City ToursHow to Experience Jameson Distillery
We offer four ways to visit Jameson, ranging from a quick tasting to a full master blending class:
1. Express Jameson Whiskey Experience with Visit to Ireland’s Oldest Pub: A 2-hour guided experience covering the Bow Street distillery tour and comparative tasting, followed by a visit to The Brazen Head (Ireland’s oldest pub, circa 1198). Best for those short on time who still want expert context and atmosphere.
2. Dublin Night Tour: Jameson Whiskey Experience, Historic Pubs & Irish Music: Combines the Jameson distillery experience with an evening of historic pub visits and live traditional Irish music. The social option, ideal if you want the whiskey story woven into a real Dublin night out.
3. Guinness Storehouse & Jameson Irish Whiskey Experience: Both icons in one guided visit with skip-the-line access. The most efficient way to cover Dublin’s two most famous drinks experiences in a single day.
4. Ultimate Jameson Master Blending Experience: For serious whiskey lovers. A Black Barrel Blending Class hosted by a Jameson Craft Ambassador, with premium tastings, cask sampling, and the opportunity to create your own blend to take home. The most immersive Jameson experience available.
Express Jameson Whiskey Experience with Visit to Ireland’s Oldest Pub
Join the Express Jameson Whiskey tour to taste exquisite whiskey and learn about its rich history from expert guides.
From €79
Dublin Night Tour: Jameson Whiskey Experience, Historic Pubs & Irish Music Tour
Join the Dublin Night Tour for an unforgettable evening of whiskey tastings, live music, and storytelling in historic pubs.
From €79
Guinness Storehouse & Jameson Irish Whiskey Experience
The two names that define Irish drinking culture — together in one tour. Guinness Storehouse, Jameson Distillery, and an expert guide connecting the stories behind both.
From €138
Ultimate Jameson Distillery Master Blending
Experience the Jameson Master Blending class and immerse yourself in the world of Irish whiskey at Dublin's top distilleries.
From €139
Roe & Co:The Modern Craft Experience
The distillery revives the name of the George Roe & Co distillery, originally established in 1757. It was once the largest whiskey distillery in Ireland. Owned by Diageo, the modern site focuses on contemporary whiskey blending and cocktail culture while paying homage to the historic Roe legacy.
The modern Roe & Co Distillery Experience is in the Liberties, a short walk from the Guinness Storehouse. It was opened to visitors in June 2019 in the restored former Guinness Powerhouse on James’s Street. It is a working distillery where you can see production in action.
Why Visit?
Roe & Co is for travellers who want depth over spectacle. The VIP tasting includes expert-led sessions on barrel ageing, wood influence, and flavour development. The cocktail bar is one of Dublin’s best.
What You’ll Experience:
Guided tasting sessions
Hands-on cocktail workshops
An introduction to Dublin’s whiskey revival
What to Know:
Smaller capacity = fewer crowds
More expensive than Jameson (higher quality)
Best for whiskey enthusiasts or return visitors
with LetzGo City ToursHow to Experience Roe & Co
Guinness Storehouse & VIP Roe & Co Whiskey Tasting Tour : Pairs Dublin’s most famous drink with its most refined whiskey experience.
Skip-the-line access to both, includes a whiskey cocktail and a pint of Guinness at the Gravity Bar. The premium combination for those who want quality over quantity.
Guinness Storehouse and VIP Roe & Co Whiskey Tasting Tour
Experience Dublin’s best drinks on a guided tour of the Guinness Storehouse and Roe & Co Distillery, with VIP tastings included.
From €109
How They Compare
All three offer great experiences, but choosing which one suits your preferences can be tricky. Here’s a quick list on how one differs from the other.
Guinness
Focus: Brewing and brand heritage
Scale: Large and immersive
Highlight: Gravity Bar skyline views
Jameson
Focus: Traditional whiskey production
Scale: Medium, guided experience
Highlight: Comparative tasting
Roe & Co
Focus: Modern whiskey and cocktails
Scale: Intimate and workshop-style
Highlight: Hands-on cocktail experience
FAQLocation & Logistics
Is Guinness better than Jameson in Dublin?
They serve different purposes. Guinness focuses on stout and global branding. Jameson focuses on whiskey production and tasting.
Is Roe & Co worth visiting?
Yes, especially if you prefer smaller groups and cocktail-led experiences.
Do I need to book tickets in advance?
Yes. Weekends and holiday periods often sell out.
Which is best for non-whiskey drinkers?
Guinness or Roe & Co are often better suited than a traditional whiskey tasting.
Can you walk between all three?
Yes. Jameson and Roe & Co are very close. Guinness is also walkable.
All three are accessible from central Dublin.
Guinness Storehouse: St James’s Gate
Jameson Bow Street: Smithfield
Roe & Co: The Liberties
Jameson and Roe & Co are approximately 10–15 minutes apart on foot. Guinness is slightly farther but still within walking distance.
Booking in advance is recommended, particularly during weekends and festival periods.
Final Thoughts
Guinness, Jameson, and Roe & Co each tell part of Dublin’s story. Guinness shows Ireland’s global reach. Jameson explains its whiskey heritage. Roe & Co represents where Irish craft is headed.
Choose based on interest, not obligation. One excellent experience beats three rushed visits.
Ready to explore Dublin’s drink culture?
Browse Dublin Tours or explore the full Drink & Spirits Hub Guide for deeper context on Irish drinking traditions.
