Tyrconnell Whiskey Poster

The Tyrconnell Whiskey Poster is based on an original Irish whiskey advertisement design connected to Watt’s Distillery in Derry. The artwork celebrates the famous racehorse Tyrconnell and one of the best known Irish whiskey brands exported from Ireland in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

This poster was printed in the 1980s from the historic advertisement design and supplied to pubs as décor. Produced as part of an original lithographic print run by Nicholson & Bass, Belfast, it is not a modern reproduction. These posters are original 1980s print stock and remaining copies are increasingly scarce.

These advertisements once appeared in pubs and spirit grocers across Ireland. This poster is a later print, produced in the 1980s and supplied to pubs as décor.

The original Irish language version of Tyrconnell is ‘Tír Chonaill’, from ‘Tír’ meaning ‘Land of’ and ‘Chonaill’, referring to Conall Gulban, the 5th century High King associated with the north west of Ireland and son of Niall of the Nine Hostages.

The original Irish language version of Tyrconnell is ‘Tír Chonaill’, from ‘Tír’ meaning ‘Land of’ and ‘Chonaill’, referring to Conall Gulban, the 5th century High King associated with the north west of Ireland and son of Niall of the Nine Hostages.

In his book Derry: Heroes, Villains and Ghosts, Derry historian Ken McCormack charts the history of Watt’s Distillery and the rise and fall of the Tyrconnell whiskey brand alongside its owner, Andrew Alexander Watt.

The story behind Tyrconnell Whiskey is closely tied to Andrew Alexander Watt and Watt’s Distillery in Derry. In 1876 Watt named his new whiskey after his celebrated racehorse Tyrconnell, which famously won the Irish National Produce Stakes at odds of 100 to 1. The victory became part of the brand identity and helped establish Tyrconnell as one of the most recognised Irish whiskey labels of its era.

By the late 1800s Watt’s Distillery had become one of the largest whiskey distilleries in Ireland and Britain, exporting Tyrconnell Whiskey to the United States, Canada, Australia and beyond. The poster reflects the strong connection between Irish whiskey advertising, horse racing and the commercial expansion of Irish distilling during that period.

Like many Irish whiskey businesses of the era, Watt’s Distillery suffered during World War I and American Prohibition. The Abbey Street distillery in Derry eventually closed in 1921, bringing an end to one of Ireland’s largest whiskey operations. Decades later the Tyrconnell name was revived by the Cooley Distillery, helping preserve the legacy of the historic brand.

Today the Tyrconnell Whiskey Poster is popular for Irish pub décor, whiskey rooms, home bars and interiors inspired by traditional Irish pubs. It is especially recognised by visitors who have seen similar posters displayed in pubs across Ireland.

Poster Size: Approximately 24" x 18" (60cm x 45cm)

Print Finish: High quality 170gsm art paper

Origin: Printed in Ireland

Related Irish Whiskey Posters

• Dunville’s Whiskey Poster
• Jameson Whiskey Poster
• Boyd Family Name Poster