Tullamore D.E.W. visit helped put Irish whiskey tariffs on Trump’s agenda
Visit turned out to be far more significant than anyone could have anticipated
A CONVERSATION at Tullamore D.E.W. just days before Taoiseach Micheál Martin met US President Donald Trump played an important part in putting the case for removing tariffs on Irish whiskey directly before the US President.
For Offaly TD Tony McCormack, the remarkable sequence of events is also an example of what can happen when you get the right people into the right room at the right time.
Deputy McCormack had specifically requested that this year’s Fianna Fáil Think-In be held in Tullamore. Once that was secured, he was determined to use the presence of the Taoiseach, Ministers, TDs and Senators to showcase Offaly industry and put the county’s opportunities and concerns directly in front of national decision-makers.
That was why, on the Sunday evening ahead of the Think-In, Deputy McCormack brought colleagues to Tullamore D.E.W.
What followed turned out to be far more significant than anyone could have anticipated.
The US tariff on Irish whiskey was not a new issue for Deputy McCormack. He had previously discussed it with the Taoiseach, while Cathaoirleach of Tullamore Municipal District Cllr Shane Murray had consistently raised the matter with Deputy McCormack and impressed upon him the importance of protecting an industry with such strong links to Tullamore and the wider economy.
But the timing of the conversation inside Tullamore D.E.W. was crucial.
During the visit, Tullamore D.E.W.’s Global Culture and Distillery Ambassador Kevin Pigott spoke directly to the Taoiseach about the impact the tariff was having on the Irish whiskey industry.
He outlined why the issue went far beyond whiskey itself, affecting jobs, exports and tourism as well as Irish agriculture, particularly the tillage sector and the farmers producing the grain on which the industry depends.
With the Taoiseach due to speak with President Trump just days later, Kevin asked him directly to raise the issue with the President.
“The whiskey tariff was something I had already discussed with the Taoiseach, and Shane Murray had been constantly raising it with me, so the issue was already very much on our radar,” Deputy McCormack said.
“But there is a huge difference between discussing an issue and bringing someone directly into the industry to hear and see the case for themselves.
“We were standing in Tullamore D.E.W., Kevin was able to explain exactly what the tariff meant for the industry, tourism and farming, and he asked the Taoiseach directly to raise it with President Trump the following week.
“The timing couldn't have been better.”
The significance of the Tullamore visit became clear afterwards.
The Taoiseach has since publicly referred to his visit to Tullamore D.E.W. when explaining how he approached the whiskey issue with President Trump, saying the visit helped to “focus and concentrate the mind”.
He also highlighted the close two-way relationship between the Irish and American whiskey industries, including the substantial number of American whiskey casks purchased by Irish distillers, as well as the employment and farming supported by the sector.
Then another extraordinary Offaly connection entered the story.
Shane Lowry produced a magnificent performance to win the Irish Open, providing another huge moment for Offaly on the international stage.
President Trump subsequently said that both the Taoiseach and Shane Lowry had spoken to him about the whiskey issue before announcing his intention to remove the tariff on Irish whiskey.
For Deputy McCormack, it completed a remarkable sequence of events.
“You really couldn't have scripted how it all came together.
“We had been working on the issue already. Then we had Kevin making the industry case directly to the Taoiseach in Tullamore at exactly the right time. The Taoiseach took that case into his discussions with President Trump.
“And then Shane Lowry goes and wins the Irish Open. Another Offaly man, on another enormous day for the county, becomes part of the story before President Trump makes the announcement.
“Sometimes the stars align for good things to happen.”
Deputy McCormack stressed that a result like this is never attributable to one individual and paid particular tribute to those who kept the issue moving.
“Cllr Shane Murray deserves real credit because he consistently kept this issue in front of me. Kevin Pigott deserves huge credit for making such a strong first-hand case from the industry. The Taoiseach listened to that case and took the issue directly to President Trump, and Shane Lowry’s fantastic Irish Open victory provided an extraordinary final chapter.
“No one person delivers something like this. It happens because people keep pushing an issue and because opportunities are created to get the right people talking to each other.”
Deputy McCormack said the potential benefits of removing the tariff extend well beyond whiskey producers.
“The United States is an enormously important market for Irish whiskey. When that industry succeeds, it supports jobs and investment, brings visitors into places like Tullamore and creates demand for Irish grain from our tillage farmers.
“That is why this is important for industry, agriculture and tourism.”
For Deputy McCormack, the story also vindicates his determination to bring the Fianna Fáil Think-In to Tullamore and to use it to promote Offaly rather than simply host a political gathering.
“I wanted the Think-In brought to Tullamore because I wanted our national political leadership here seeing what Offaly has to offer.
“Bringing Ministers and national decision-makers into Offaly isn't about photographs or simply hosting an event. It is about creating opportunities for our businesses, our communities and our industries to put their case directly to the people who can make a difference.
“That is exactly what happened at Tullamore D.E.W.
“Within days, the Taoiseach was using what he had seen and heard in Tullamore as part of his case to the President of the United States.
“And then, in another great Offaly story, Shane Lowry wins the Irish Open and President Trump announces that he intends to remove the tariff on Irish whiskey.
“Sometimes the stars align – but you still have to put yourself in the position for it to happen.
“This is a great result for Irish whiskey, for farming and tourism, but it is also a great Offaly story.
“We might be a small county, but this week showed once again that Offaly can make its mark on the world.”