Raise a glass to history, humour and great beer

History, whiskey, craft beer, comedy and live music come together this September as Brehon Brewhouse hosts The Gathering 2026, a unique two-day festival celebrating local heritage, storytelling and community spirit.

Taking place September 4–5, the event will be held at award-winning Brehon Brewhouse in Essexford, just outside Carrickmacross. Set on the McMahon family’s working dairy farm, the brewery offers an ideal setting for a weekend celebrating Ireland’s finest brewing, distilling and entertainment.

The festival begins with Whiskey and History on Friday evening. Acclaimed historian Professor Terence Dooley will explore land ownership, the Land Commission and how communities in the region evolved over generations. “It’ll be quite interesting to see how that goes down,” says Brehon proprietor Seamus McMahon.

Guests will also have the opportunity to meet representatives from three acclaimed Irish distilleries: Old Carrick Mill, Two Stacks, and Jack Ryan Whiskey. Each has collaborated with Brehon Brewhouse on cask-finished beer projects.

Saturday night’s Beers and Cheers event features craft beer, comedy and live music. Glasgow-based comedian Jason Lynch headlines the comedy line-up, with a second comedian to be announced shortly.

Live music will be provided by The Rambling String Band and Ciaran Halton, ensuring a lively festival atmosphere throughout the evening.

Beer enthusiasts can also sample brews from guest breweries including Bréifne Gael Brewing and Heaney Brewery, alongside Brehon’s own multi award-winning range. From stouts and red ales to IPAs, gluten-free and alcohol-free beers, there is something to suit every taste.

Now in its thirteenth year, the Brehon brewery has established itself as one of the region’s most distinctive visitor experiences, attracting visitors from across Ireland and overseas. It has won the coveted title of Best Tourism Experience at the inaugural Anglo-Celt Monaghan Business and Tourism Awards, in partnership with Monaghan Co Council and Monaghan Tourism, in April 2026.

Speaking about what makes the brewery experience different, Mr McMahon said: “It’s all intuitive, very unscripted. No one’s rushed in, no one’s rushed out. It’s us, meeting people and telling the stories of our family and the area.”

That sense of authenticity is at the heart of both the brewery and The Gathering. “It’s about the stories, the people, the history and the connections that bring communities together,” he explains.

The Gathering 2026 is proudly supported by Fáilte Ireland and More to Monaghan.