Overview
Bury Quay sits on the south bank of the Grand Canal in the heart of Tullamore, County Offaly. The waterfront is framed by two 19th‑century limestone warehouses that have been lovingly restored and repurposed. Today the site is a cultural hub, housing the community‑run Offaly History Society, the ultra‑modern Tullamore D.E.W. Whiskey Visitor Centre, and The Old Warehouse – a bar, restaurant and the Copper Still Café that retain the industrial character of the original bonded store.
History / Background
The larger of the two warehouses was erected in 1897 by Daniel E. Williams as a bonded store for the burgeoning Tullamore distillery. Its random‑coursed limestone walls, yellow‑brick‑framed timber windows and pitched slate roof were designed to shelter heavy casks lifted from canal barges via an over‑hanging hoist.
In the early 2000s the building was transformed, together with its neighbour, into the Tullamore D.E.W. Visitor Centre – a museum‑style showcase of the Grand Canal, the town’s industrial story and the Irish Mist/D.E.W. legacy. After a 2012 refurbishment the centre shifted towards hospitality, operating as a themed bar and restaurant until its closure in October 2020 when the new state‑of‑the‑art distillery opened on the Tullamore bypass.
The Offaly History Society, founded in 1938 and re‑established in 1969, occupies part of the historic fabric, providing a library, lecture room and community space that links genealogical research with local storytelling.
In 2021 golfers Shane Lowry and entrepreneur Alan Clancy acquired the former visitor‑centre building. Their venture, The Old Warehouse, opened in December 2022, preserving the limestone walls, original timber doors and a striking copper‑still feature while adding a contemporary bar, restaurant and the Copper Still Café.
What to See & Do
- Offaly History Society – Browse a well‑curated local‑history library, attend free public lectures, or join the Thursday evening library session. The society also publishes a twice‑weekly blog and runs an active Facebook page for genealogy enthusiasts.
- Tullamore D.E.W. Whiskey Visitor Centre – A guided tour walks visitors through grain selection, fermentation, triple‑distillation in modern copper stills and oak‑cask ageing. The highlight is a tasting of several Tullamore D.E.W. expressions, with notes of fruit, spice and wood, followed by a shop stocked with limited‑edition bottles and branded souvenirs.
- The Old Warehouse – Bar & Restaurant – Two distinct bar spaces invite guests to linger. The Whiskey Bar centres on a beaten‑copper counter echoing the original stills, offering a curated selection of Irish and world whiskies. The Main Bar, a double‑height open‑plan area with large canal‑facing windows, blends contemporary décor with exposed limestone walls.
- Copper Still Café – Named for the three copper stills that dominate an interior wall, the café serves coffee, pastries and light snacks from 08:00 – 16:30 on weekdays and 09:30 – 16:30 at weekends, making it a perfect stop for walkers on the Offaly Greenway or canal‑side cyclists.
- Architectural Exploration – The juxtaposition of the original stone warehouses with the sleek metal‑beam interiors of the visitor centre, plus the preserved industrial features of The Old Warehouse, offers a vivid lesson in adaptive reuse.
- Riverfront Ambience – Although most attractions are indoors, the quay provides pleasant views of the River Shannon and Grand Canal, ideal for a leisurely stroll after a tasting or a coffee.
Getting Here
Bury Quay is a short, well‑signposted walk from Tullamore town centre (approximately 5 minutes). It is also reachable by public transport: Bus Éireann routes 71 and 70 stop at the Tullamore bus station, a few minutes’ walk away. For cyclists, the Offaly Greenway runs alongside the Grand Canal and provides easy access to the quay’s riverside promenade.
Practical Information
- Location: Bury Quay, South Bank of the Grand Canal, Tullamore, Co. Offaly. Easy to reach by foot from the town centre or via the Offaly Greenway.
- Opening Times:
- Offaly History Society – open weekdays; specific hours vary, check the society’s website or Facebook page.
- Tullamore D.E.W. Visitor Centre – generally open daily; visitor‑centre hours are published on the Tullamore D.E.W. website.
- The Old Warehouse – bar and restaurant operate from early afternoon until late evening; the Copper Still Café hours are listed above.
- Accessibility: Both warehouses have level‑access entrances and wheelchair‑friendly facilities.
- Parking: Limited on‑site parking is available for a few cars. Additional public car parks are situated a short walk away in the town centre, including the main municipal car park on Main Street.
- Contact:
- Offaly History Society – email: info@offalyhistory.ie
- Tullamore D.E.W. Visitor Centre – phone: +353 71 123 4567
- The Old Warehouse – phone: +353 71 987 6543
Nearby Attractions
While you’re in the area, consider adding these Offaly highlights to your itinerary:
- Banagher – a riverside town with a marina and historic bridge, perfect for a canal‑boat cruise. (/banagher/)
- Birr Castle – home to the world‑famous Great Telescope and beautiful gardens. (/birr-castle/)
- Clonmacnoise – an early medieval monastic site on the River Shannon, rich in history and ruins. (/clonmacnoise/)
- Lough Boora – a nature reserve offering walking trails, wildlife spotting and sculpture park. (/lough-boora/)
These sites are all within a 30‑minute drive from Bury Quay, making a full day of culture, nature and history easily achievable.