Eleanor ‘Mother’ McConnell

Over the years, there have been some truly remarkable women help to shape the whisky/whiskey industry as we know it today. From Rita Cowan (Taketsuru) to Stephanie Macleod, one of the finest Master Distillers in the history of whisky, there have been many great women who have helped to shape the industry I’m so blessed to work in today. 

Another woman who has played an instrumental part in Irish whiskey is Eleanor McConnell of McConnell’s Distillery. 

The McConnell’s Irish whisky brand was founded back in 1776 by a grocer and spirit dealer named Hugh McConnell. Hugh was married to Eleanor, and tragically passed away suddenly a short time later. He was survived by Eleanor, as well as their three young children. 

Eleanor was forced to take charge of the business, where she took a hands-on approach to making, blending, and selling the whiskey. All this, while raising three children by herself. When they were old enough, Eleanor taught two of her sons, John and James (Of the J & J McConnell brand) how to operate the business. She left such a mark in fact, that she is referred to as ‘Mother McConnell’ by the team over at the distillery.

The business operated successfully for more than a century, surviving two large fires and countless other setbacks. Sadly, following prohibition in the US in the 1930s, the company could no longer survive and was forced to close its doors as the distillery fell silent. Until now… 

Reviving the Brand and Empowering Women

Fast forward to the present day and US investors Belfast Distillery Company have revived this once iconic brand, now operating a working distillery and visitor experience on the site of the former A-wing section of the Crumlin Road Gaol. Ironically, this wing of the jail was once the women’s wing and housed a number of suffragettes. 

The building, which sits in the heart of the city, was built in 1846 by Sir Charles Lanyon. It operated as a prison until 1996. Here it housed regular inmates, as well as political prisoners. As mentioned, a number of suffragettes and their families were incarcerated here so there is already a deep-rooted feminine energy here right from the get-go.

Today, McConnell’s employs a number of remarkable women who have helped the brand expand overseas and once again dominate the US market. From Julie Thompson, the only female member of the distillery team, to Finn McGrenaghan the team leader of the visitor experience, and Sarah Kennedy the company’s brand manager, each woman plays an integral role in the day-to-day operation of the business. Were it not for them, it’s unlikely the brand would be in such a favourable position as it currently finds itself in. 

Iconic Bottle Design

I’ve spoke about bottle design and branding a fair bit as late, and it’s stories like these that have inspired me to do so. 

Just one look at this bottle and you know you’re looking at an Irish whiskey through and through. The key element of the logo is a golden harp, an instantly recognisable symbol of Ireland. You’ll also notice that they omit the ‘e’ in whisky, spelling it as they do in Scotland. Traditionally, whiskey is usually spelt with an ‘e’ in Ireland. The omission of the ‘e’ here is deliberate and was done to honour the history of the spirit. McConnell’s favoured whisky with no ‘e’ which is why McConnell’s Irish Whisky is spelled the way that it is. 

The design of the bottle itself is a nod to Belfast’s industrial past, particularly when it came to ship building and textiles. Its shape is inspired by old medicine bottles, so as to pay homage to whisky’s apparent medicinal properties. 

Even the tough and rigid opaque glass at the base of the bottle tells a story, and once again, one which pays homage to Ireland’s great woman. The glass is designed to represent the private snugs in traditional bars where women would sit and drink. These snugs were private and secluded and were designed to prevent the women from being seen drinking in the male-dominated pubs and bars.