Our History

Our History begins with Bunratty Mead

Nestled in the heart of County Clare, the home of Bunratty Mead is located steps away from the famous 15th Century Bunratty Castle, where the story of our mead is one rooted in history, tradition, and celebration.

In the 1950s an ambitious and beautiful restoration of Bunratty Castle took place after Lord and Lady Gort purchased the property with the vision of it becoming a living medieval landmark for all to experience. The castle opened its doors to visitors from around the world in 1963, offering an immersive journey into Ireland’s past, along with the introduction of the now-famous Bunratty Castle Medieval Banquets.

Since 1981, our Bunratty Mead has been a featured part of the banquet’s welcoming ceremony filled with songs, stories and toasts.

Bunratty Mead was first produced by our founder, Oliver Dillon, and his team following a centuries-old recipe that we still used today. Crafted in small batches, the enchanting aroma of Bunratty Mead is the result of marrying pure honey and fruit of the vine in a careful process that honours Ireland’s ancient traditions.

From Castle Banquets to the World

As Bunratty banquet guests returned from Ireland, they relived their Bunratty Castle experience with the distinctive taste of Bunratty Mead in their own homes. This demand led to the launch of Bunratty Mead in the United States in 1989. We started with a small shipment of 100 cases to New York and New Jersey and have been growing ever since. Under the leadership of Nancy Larkin Rau, Bunratty Mead can now be found in over 2,000 US stores. It is enjoyed at home and at festivals of all types: Irish, Food, Wine, and Renaissance festivals. In 2020, Bunratty shipped it’s 1 millionth bottle of mead to the United States! Our drinks continue to connect generations of people who celebrate their love of Irish heritage and Bunratty.

Bunratty Fine Drinks proudly brings legendary mead and spirits into the modern world and preserves its symbolic connection of celebrating Ireland's past.

Bunratty Fine Drinks Through the Years

1963

Bunratty Castle formally opens to the public and welcomes visitors to take part in their world-renowned Medieval Banquets.

1981

Founder Oliver Dillon produces the first batch of Bunratty Mead, becoming the exclusive mead supplier for Bunratty Castle's medieval banquets.

1989

The first shipment of Bunratty Mead is exported to the United States.

1991

After years of seeking permission from the Irish government, Oliver Dillon and his team produce Bunratty Poteen, the first legal batch since it was banned centuries ago in 1661.

1994

Promotions begin at major Irish festivals and events in the US to connect Bunratty with Irish descendants and our loyal fans

2001

Bunratty Mead partners with Walt Disney imagineers to create a dedicated Ireland booth at Epcot's famous Food & Wine Festival. Ireland is the first country ever to have a dedicated stand-alone spot in the Epcot showcase.