Glendalough Distillery was founded in 2011 by five friends from Dublin — Barry Gallagher, Brian Fagan, Gary McLoughlin, Kevin Keenan, and Donal O'Keenan — united by a shared passion for Irish whiskey. Claiming to be Ireland's first craft distillery, Glendalough is named after the ancient monastic valley in County Wicklow, a site with deep historical ties to spirit-making stretching back to the time of St. Kevin's settlement. The distillery is located in Newtownmountkennedy and draws inspiration from Ireland's rich heritage of artisanal production. Glendalough started producing gin in 2013 as a way to establish a presence in the market while its whiskeys matured. This strategy paid off: the brand has grown into one of Ireland's most innovative producers of both Irish whiskey and gin, and became the third-biggest premium gin brand in Ireland. Its portfolio includes a range of Irish whiskey's alongside poitín and botanically inspired gins, all crafted with a strong emphasis on craft and creativity. In 2019, Mark Anthony Brands International acquired full ownership of Glendalough, signaling the distillery's transition from a promising startup to a serious player in the global spirits industry. The brand continues to be celebrated for pushing boundaries in Irish whiskey and gin production.