Northern Irish connection with first Poitin Bar

The first Poitín bar is being launched in Dublin with support of Bán Poitín, the manufacturer of the clear spirit distilled in Northern Ireland.

The unique bar is named 16-61 after the year poitín distillation is thought to have first taken place in Ireland. The bar will host a six-week residency from 19 October to 26 November at a secret Dublin location, which will be revealed next month. It celebrates the 20th anniversary of the decriminalisation of the spirit, once Ireland's 'moonshine' in the Republic of Ireland. The company launched its version of the spirit last year.

"Poitín has been on the rise for over five years now, we can't believe nobody has done anything in Ireland like this before," says Dave Mulligan, founder of Bán Poitín, which is distilled in county Down. He adds: "We have seen specialist gin bars popping up all over London and the UK, it makes sense to support a revival of our national spirit, this is what Bán has been about from the get-go."

Bán Poitín will curate a list of poitín-based cocktails, while 16-61 will also feature other Ireland-made spirits beers and local food. Weekly masterclasses will also take place, and guest bartenders from Ireland and abroad will tend the bar.

"This is going to be the biggest celebration of poitín since its heyday of the early 1800s," adds Mulligan.

A traditional style spirit, Ban Poitín, which is distilled in the Ards peninsula from potatoes, single estate barley, and sugar beet, is a raw and earthy spirit that is now making waves in the vibrant cocktail scene especially in London.

Bán Poitín was created by Dave Mulligan, who has a background in the sales and distribution of spirits and beers, and business partner Cara Humphreys, an experienced marketer with family links to county Clare. The poitín has won business from high-end retailers Selfridges and Fortnum and Mason, a host of cocktail bars and off-licences.

Bán Poitín is the outcome of market research over the past three years by the two business people poitín who share a fascination about the history and heritage of poitín.

The historic clear spirit is proving to be popular in London bars as a new cocktail option. In addition, it has attracted interest from parts of Europe and from China.

Irish poitín has achieved Geographical Indicative Status designation by the EU Council and Parliament.