Irish University Courses in Brewing and Distilling
In recent years I have been privileged to be involved in the development of Brewing and Distilling programmes in Irish Universities.
I have been particularly involved with the development and roll out of the Brewing and Distilling undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in TU Dublin as both a postgraduate student and and as an industry partner for Portmagee Whiskey with Technological University (TU) Dublin and the TU Dublin Enterprise Academy.
I also had a peripheral involvement in the development of the Micro Credentials programme in Maynooth University.
These industry partnered programmes along with similar programmes in Munster Technological University in Cork and South East Technological University in Carlow have added tremendous value to the growing spirits sector in Ireland.
For the last few years, Bernard Walsh and Walsh Whiskey have been generously sponsoring a bursary of €1,000 for the best academic performance of a first year student on the Brewing and Distilling degree course at South East Technological University (formally known as Carlow IT).
I’ll declare a background interest as I was privileged myself in my previous career as a military officer to work closely with the School of Engineering and academic leadership of this college as we jointly developed primary and masters degree programmes in Communications technology. It’s a super college that I have the height of respect for.
John Brennan, a second year student from South East Technological University (SETU) was awarded the Walsh Whiskey sixth annual bursary of €1,000 at the university’s campus in Carlow. John is an undergraduate student of SETU Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Brewing and Distilling. The prize is awarded by Walsh Whiskey, producers of Writers’ Tears and The Irishman premium whiskeys, to the student with the highest grades in the first year of the bachelor’s course, the first course of its kind in Ireland.
Speaking about the course and SETU’s collaboration with Walsh Whiskey, Dr Sinead Morris, Programme Director, commented,
“The collaboration between SETU and Walsh Whiskey has been pivotal to the success of our brewing and distilling honours degree programme which has been designed with industry relevance in mind. Since the programme’s inception, Walsh Whiskey has been a steadfast partner playing a crucial role in the course’s development and maintaining an enduring commitment to our students and graduates. Walsh Whiskey’s continued support, exemplified by its annual bursary, highlights the immense value of the strong university-industry relationship that exists between our institutions.”
Addressing brewing and distilling students at the bursary presentation, Bernard Walsh, Co-founder and Managing Director of Walsh Whiskey, said:
“We would like to congratulate John on his excellent results and wish him well in his future studies. We are delighted to collaborate with SETU and share the industry knowledge we’ve gained at Walsh Whiskey with students of the programme. From there being just a handful of distilleries in Ireland a decade ago, there are now over 50 nationwide. In addition, we at Walsh Whiskey are planning a major new distillery in Dunleckney, county Carlow, so SETU graduates have great career prospects both locally and right across Ireland.”
Launched in 2017, the four-year Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Brewing and Distilling was developed by SETU following significant research and consultation with industry, representative organisations, national bodies, and government. It is the first honours degree programme in brewing and distilling on the island of Ireland, and one of only four worldwide to have achieved professional recognition from the Institute of Brewing and Distilling (IBD). The team at SETU worked closely with industry in the development of the course to ensure graduates meet the needs of future employers in the sector. The combines science, engineering, business, and marketing as well as research, innovation and entrepreneurship, alongside a work-based learning module.
For more information on the Degree and Post Graduate Courses in Brewing and Distilling at Technological University Dublin, click here.
For more information on the Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Brewing and Distilling at South East Technological University, click here.
For more information on Micro-credentials in Brewing and Distilling at Maynooth University, click here.
For more information on the part time Diploma in Brewing and Distilling at Munster Technological University, click here.
Stuart McNamara (@WhiskeyBlogger) is an international Whiskey Blogger who edits several International Whisk(e)y and Whiskey Tourism sites including IrishWhiskey.com and WhiskeyBlogger.com. He is Chair of the Irish Craft And Artisan Distilleries Association (ICADA) and is an elected member of the National Council of ISME, the Irish SME Association. He is also the creator and editor of International Irish Whiskey Day which is celebrated on 3/3 or 3rd March each year and had a global social media reach in 2021 of over 20 Million. He is a Director of Portmagee Whiskey and has also acted as both a brand and product development consultant to several other Irish Whiskey and other spirits producers.
