Ireland is often credited with being the birthplace of whiskey distilling, and dominated the world’s whisky market until the early 1900’s. While many factors led to distillery consolidations and closings, Irish Whiskey has enjoyed a renaissance in recent years with booming sales and a number of new distilleries opening or under construction. If you’re planning a visit to Ireland, I recommend a look at the Irish Whiskey Trail web site for recommendations on places to visit.