We founded the South East Whiskey Festival with the primary goal of championing whiskey in Ireland, especially within the South East region. Initially launched in Wexford in March 2023, the festival returned for a successful encore in 2024. Our vision extends beyond Wexford as we aspire to reach the major towns and cities across the entire South East in the future. Anticipate the 2025 edition once again gracing Wexford, scheduled from February 27th to March 1st. Keeping pace with the dynamic whiskey landscape in Ireland, we have crafted an event that not only celebrates the heritage of both established and emerging distilleries but also underscores the industry's remarkable potential for growth. Our weekend festival strives to provide a relaxed, affordable experience executed with professionalism and abundant Irish fun. We look forward to welcoming you there for a memorable time.
It all began when 3 friends enjoyed some whiskey.
And so the festival was born…
Meet the Team
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John Barron
There’s romance and passion at the heart of The Sky & The Ground on Wexford’s Main Street. Landlord Johnnie Barron gave up working on the ferries to find himself standing with wife Nuala in the burnt out shell of a derelict pub he’d bought in 1995.
With Wexford musician Pierce Turner's song The Sky and the Ground ringing in his head, he looked at the space before him and wondered how he might fill it. But fill it he did. It's a hugely popular pub, with nooks and crannies and surprises at every turn.
A recent winner of the pub of the year at the Irish restaurant awards John and the family have managed to put a huge amount of their own personality into it over the years.
Anyone who hasn't visited the bar or had the pleasure of Johnnies company before will definitely have a chance over the course of the festival as it’s one of our main venues.
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Daithí O'Connell
Hailing from Myshall in County Carlow, Daithí's background is as varied as his whiskey.
From publican to pilot to fintech and now whiskey! Daithí has a strong background in running events in Ireland and across the globe as well as running bars from Kinsale to Hong Kong.
Daithí started W.D. O'Connell whiskey Merchants in 2019 with a nod to the history of the sector and a focus on the future of Irish whiskey. In 2020 he co founded the Irish whiskey guild as a small business group within the sector.
One of the two bearded members of the team he is now set up in Kilmacthomas Co. Waterford from where he runs his whiskey empire.
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Michael Cowman
Michael Cowman, where to begin with the ways to describe Michael? He's not only the most handsome of the founders but he also writes all the comms....
Hailing from Bunclody in North Wexford Michael began his career in whiskey with Irish Distillers in South Africa following a 5 year stint in the Irish Navy, before moving back to Ireland to continue his career in booze.
He currently works in sales for the luxury spirits company Last Drop Distillers as a European Sales manager.
He had a desire to bring a little bit more whiskey love to Wexford (one of the few counties these days without a distillery) and saw the SE whiskey festival as the way to do that.
Probably most likely to be found wearing a loud shirt and shouting abuse at attendees.
