The Vision That Started It All: Remembering John McKay
Seán McKay
10 December 2025
Achill Island Distillery was born from one man's dream. We reflect on the life and legacy of our founder, John McKay, whose vision continues to guide everything we do.
In 2019, John McKay stood on Achill Island and made a decision that would change the course of Irish whiskey history. He would build Ireland's first island distillery, right here on the rugged western edge of Mayo.
John was not a man who did things by half measures. He believed that Achill Island — with its wild beauty, its Atlantic air, and its centuries of distilling tradition — was the perfect place to craft world-class Irish whiskey. He was right.
Together with his close friend John Burbage, he laid the foundations of what would become Achill Island Distillery. The early days were full of challenges, as all great ventures are. But John's determination never wavered.
When John passed away in 2020, the distillery was still finding its feet. His sons Michael and Seán faced a choice: walk away, or carry the dream forward. They chose to carry it forward.
Today, Achill Island Distillery is a fully operational distillery producing thousands of casks annually, with distribution across the USA, Europe, Ukraine, Australia and International Duty Free. John's vision is being realised, one bottle at a time.
We dedicate every drop we produce to his memory, and to the memory of Mick Gallagher, John's lifelong friend and our beloved distiller, who also passed away in 2022.
Their legacy lives in every cask.
