Advertisement

Water Of Life

This is not a story just about whiskey but one about identity, emigration, politics and life told through the water of life itself! The fact that the word whiskey comes from the Irish word uisce speaks volumes about the history our nation has with this...

Share this article

07.58 3 Apr 2022


Water Of Life



Share this article

07.58 3 Apr 2022


This is not a story just about whiskey but one about identity, emigration, politics and life told through the water of life itself!

The fact that the word whiskey comes from the Irish word uisce speaks volumes about the history our nation has with this world-famous beverage. However, it’s not as straightforward as the method of production being invented and the brand growing, the story of whiskey is one entangled in politics and history with twists and turns at every corner. 

It’s a story that goes as far back as Irish monks in 1000 AD, about a drink that ruled the world from its dominant distilleries in Dublin before it all came crashing down. As Irish whiskey died off Scotch took the reins, Japanese whiskey followed and it looked likely that Irish Whiskey would be lost forever to the history books. 

Out of the ashes a few key players began a rebuild and decades later Irish whiskey has made a dramatic comeback. This documentary tells the story of how it all started, how it almost ended and poses the question on its future. 

We hear from distillers, businessmen, publicans and historians from Dublin to Cork to Scotland’s Highlands to unpack the story of Whiskey, Uisce Beatha, the Water of Life. 

Produced and edited by Brian Kenny (www.kennysound.com) for Newstalk with the assistance of the BAIs Sound and Vision Scheme. 


Read more about

Documentary on Newstalk

Related Episodes

The Sunday Kickback | Manchest...

00:10:30

The Sunday Kickback | Manchester United 4-0 Everton | Amorim's men smash Everton at Old Trafford!

OTB Football

00:10:30


The Sunday Paper Review | New...

01:12:54

The Sunday Paper Review | New Rules Pass With Flying Colours | Ireland Edge Past Wallabies | Roy Keane - An Entertainer

OTB GAA

01:12:54


The Sunday Paper Review | Irel...

01:12:54

The Sunday Paper Review | Ireland Edge Past Wallabies | New GAA Rules Pass With Flying Colours | Roy Keane - An Entertainer

OTB's Sunday Paper Review

01:12:54


Brian Stanley: "Within an...

00:02:52

Brian Stanley: "Within an hour I realised I had made the right decision"

Elections 2024

00:02:52