Belfast’s newest tourist attraction, and the city’s first working whiskey distillery in almost 90 years, is to open its doors to the public at the end of this month – Friday April 28, to be exact.
Drinks company Titanic Distillers has invested almost £8m (€9m) to convert the historic Titanic Pumphouse, in the heart of Belfast’s Titanic Quarter, into a new distillery and visitor centre that will give guests a chance to explore the site where Titanic last rested on dry ground, before her maiden voyage.
A listed building, the Pumphouse, and neighbouring Thompson Dry Dock, first opened in 1911 to service and accommodate the massive White Star transatlantic liners Olympic and Titanic.
Now, 112 years later, visitors will experience the workings of the new distillery and hear the story of Belfast’s whiskey tradition, why it disappeared and how it has now returned at the Pumphouse, the new home of Titanic Distillers.
Guests will also have a chance to view the distillery’s three new Forsyth’s stills which are situated on a mezzanine floor overlooking the original Gwynne pumping engines which are deep in the building’s pump-well.
All of the original pump equipment and associated internal historic features of the building have been retained and are available to view as part of the associated visitor tours, while the exterior includes a new food and beverage area.
Titanic Distillers Director Peter Lavery is excited to finally open the doors of the distillery and Pumphouse to visitors.
“It’s been quite a journey to get this far but we’re finally here and we can’t wait to open our doors to the public on April 28,” said Peter. ”Whiskey has played an important part in the history of our city but there hasn’t been a working distillery here since the 1930s, so we are delighted to revive this great distilling tradition – bringing Belfast back to the forefront of Irish Whiskey production, while at the same time telling the story of a historic past when we led the way globally – not just in shipbuilding but across many areas of industry, manufacturing and innovation.”
Stephen Symington, Director of Titanic Distillers, added: “We have embraced the history of our distillery’s location to create a unique product and visitor experience, immersed in the spirit of Belfast’s industrial and maritime past and inspired by the people who worked in Belfast’s shipyard more than a century ago.”
“It is important though to recognise that, outside of the site’s massive tourism appeal and historic significance, this is also a working distillery in which we will be able to produce our own products to build on our success to date and really make the most of the growing global demand for Irish Whiskey.”
The Titanic Pumphouse is within walking distance of Titanic Belfast, the world’s biggest Titanic exhibition centre and Northern Ireland’s number one tourist attraction, clocking up more than 800,000 visitors per annum in the days before Covid-19.
Also resident in the Titanic Quarter is the SS Nomadic tender ship which ferried passengers to the great liner, and HMS Caroline, a decommissioned C-class light cruiser of the Royal Navy that saw combat service in the First World War and served as an administrative centre in the Second World War.
On completion, the project is expected to create 41 jobs across a number of areas including operations, distilling, hospitality and sales.
Titanic Distillers at Thompson Dock – available tours
DOCK TOUR £10
A unique opportunity to explore the site where Titanic last rested on dry ground before her maiden voyage. Brought to life by one of our guides, you’ll discover the incredible history of the site, the air thick with stories of former glory. As the tour takes place outdoors, we recommend you dress appropriately for weather conditions on the day.
A 60 minute fully guided tour of Thompson Graving Dock. Descend 66 steps into the historic location where Titanic last rested on dry land. Experience the conditions and scale of the engineering project, that once produced the largest ship the world had ever seen. Dress for the weather conditions on the day and ensure sensible footwear is worn – we recommend flat shoes. Please arrive 5-10 minutes before your tour start-time.
SIGNATURE TOUR £25
The Titanic Distillers Signature Tour is a fully guided experience of our Distillery and historic Pumphouse. Explore the sights and sounds of the Pumphouse, followed by a sensory experience and tasting of our award-winning Irish spirits.
A 60 minute fully guided tour of our Distillery, located within the historic Pumphouse. Journey back in time and explore how the building, which was once famed for its feat of engineering, has now become home to our Distillery. Be guided through the distillation process, before a sensory tasting experience of our award-winning Irish spirits. Complete your trip with a visit to our gift-store. Your tour will start promptly, please arrive 5-10 minutes before your start-time. We recommend sensible footwear should be worn.
PREMIUM TOUR £40
The Titanic Distillers Premium Tour brings the stories of Thompson Dock’s rich heritage to life, while showcasing the ongoing innovations of our working-distillery. Visit the historic Thompson Graving Dock, it’s joining Pumphouse and the first working distillery in Belfast in almost 90 years. Taste both our award-winning Irish spirits, take home a collector’s glass, and experience the new spirit of Belfast’s famous docklands.
A 120 minute fully guided tour of both our Distillery and Thompson Graving Dock. Journey back in time and explore how the Pumphouse which was once famed for its feat of engineering, has now become home to our Distillery. Then descend 67 steps into the historic Thompson Graving Dock to experience the conditions and scale of the engineering project, that once produced the largest ship the world had ever seen, before returning to the Distillery for a sensory tasting experience of our award-winning Irish spirits. Your tour will start promptly, please arrive 5-10 minutes before your start-time. We recommend sensible footwear should be worn.
LEGACY TOUR £100
Take an extended tour of Titanic Distillers at Thompson Dock to gain a deeper insight into the history and stories of our unique site. On this tour, one of our expert guides will lead you around our historic home, taking in the Pumphouse, Distillery, Thompson Graving Dock and the floating mezzanine distillery floor, before a very special visit to the original Gwynne Pumps, located three levels beneath the distillery. Tastings of our premium spirits are included throughout the tour, and guests will receive exclusive Titanic Distillers gifts to take home.
Tours will last approximately 150 minutes, are limited to five people per tour, and must be booked in advance.
