A new partnership between Curraghmore Whiskey and Blackwater Valley Opera Festival brings together two established Waterford brands with shared values, craft, heritage and long-term investment in place.
Founded on over 850 years of heritage, Curraghmore Whiskey is a Single Estate Pot Still Irish Whiskey made entirely from barley and oats grown on the historic Curraghmore Estate in County Waterford. The estate has been home to the De La Poer Beresford family since 1167. Every drop of Curraghmore Whiskey is a reflection of provenance, patience, and place – crafted from field to bottle with integrity and purpose.
Founded in 2010, Blackwater Valley Opera Festival has developed into Ireland’s Summer Opera Festival, presenting opera and concerts across historic venues in Waterford and Cork. Its place-led model spans castles, estates, private houses, and cathedral settings, supporting regional tourism while attracting a national and international audience.
The collaboration represents a clear and credible partnership between two Waterford propositions – one in premium drinks, the other in cultural tourism – aligned through heritage, audience, and experience.
Festival director, Eamonn Carroll, said that the partnership ‘is rooted in shared values and place’.
“Both Curraghmore Whiskey and BVOF are based in Waterford, with a focus on creating something that endures. It brings together two audiences – those drawn to premium Irish whiskey and those engaging with live opera – in a way that strengthens both experiences within the festival setting and beyond.”
Demand for the 2026 festival (26th May – 1st June) is already strong. Mozart’s Don Giovanni at Lismore Castle is fully booked, with audiences continuing to book across the wider programme, including Handel’s Acis and Galatea, concerts at Dromore Yard, and a full recital series throughout the week.
For the business community, the collaboration connects product, place, and audience through a shared Waterford narrative, with clear potential across tourism, hospitality, and premium Irish exports.
Blackwater Valley Opera Festival presents opera and live music across a network of venues in the region, bringing together audiences, artists, and local communities during the festival week.
Further information is available at blackwatervalleyopera.ie.
