Edward Dillon Celebrates 150 Years
Founded in 1867, over the last 150 years its portfolio has come to include such prestige brands as Hennessy Cognac, Bacardí Rum and Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey.
Edward Dillon & Co (and its world-class brands) has been intrinsically linked to the development of the licensed trade throughout Ireland over this period.
Its relevance and importance in curating and supporting cultural events around the country over many years cannot be underestimated either. These events include the Hennessy Gold Cup, Jack Daniels Battle of the Bands, Casa Bacardi at Electric Picnic (since 2004) – and one of the longest-running and most important cultural sponsorships in Ireland – the Hennessy Literary Awards, now in its 46th year. Having helped launched the careers of some of Ireland’s most important authors including Colm McCann and Joseph O’Connor its Hall of Fame alumni include Sebastian Barry, Paula Meehan and Neil Jordan.
Hosted by Dillon’s Chief Executive Andy O’Hara, the event’s guests included Lord & Lady Henry and Iona Mountcharles, the British Ambassador to Ireland Robin Barnett, publicans/restaurateurs Louis Fitzgerald, Tom Moran, Charlie Chawke and Paul Cadden as well as Stonehouse’s Tom Shipsey and Musgraves’ Noel Keeley.
A Moët & Chandon reception greeted guests arriving at the Chapel of the RHK and an offering of bespoke cocktails showcased a number of Edward Dillon’s brands including the Lynchburg to Manhattan (with Jack Daniel’s Old No 7), the Electric Avenue (with Bacardí Carta Oro) and the Hennessy Sidecar (with Hennessy VS).
String quartet Elastic Strings performed a mixture of classical pieces and world pop music while RTE’s Shay Byrne acted as MC for the evening after Andy O’ Hara had welcomed guests to the Great Hall where they enjoyed a three course meal.
“It has been a real honour to build on the foresight of my previous colleagues and to be allowed to steer this incredible ship over the last five years,” Andy O’Hara told the guests, “Part of our success over the years has been our outstanding team of dynamic, innovative and loyal people and this is no different today. This also reflects the dynamic and fun nature of our Industry and I look forward to Edward Dillon leading the way for many years to come”.
To close out the evening Global Maison Ambassador for Hennessy Jean Michel Cochet raised a toast to Edward Dillion with Hennessy XO.
As befits a company owned by three of the biggest spirit companies in the world – Moët Hennessy, Bacardi-Martini & Brown-Forman – Edward Dillon & Company believes it’s very well-placed to build on the outstanding successes of these global market-leading brands within the Irish market for many years to come.
