Irish Poteen

Folklore



Poteen was produced in Ireland according to legend, from the time when the first potato was harvested. The term 'Irish moonshine whiskey' commenced from around 1660. A levy was then introduced on the legal distillation of spirits carried out privately and unless the operator was licenced by the State, it would be deemed an illegal act and therefore a criminal offence. Not surprisingly, it then appeared that a substantial element of the Irish population were elevated to the 'criminal classes', overnight!



The following articles have been selected as being typical of poteen folklore:



""First poitín haul of season puts judge in nostalgic mood"
Tuam Herald, Ireland
An article dated 21st November 2002

"Garda poteen hunter steps down after 35 years"
Limerick Online, Ireland
An article dated 24th March 2001

"Poteen Fine for Smithboro Farmer"
Clone News Ireland


"Must keep that poteen well away from Euan Blair"
The Observer, U.K. (Euan Blair - son of Tony Blair U.K. Prime Minister)
Sunday, October 22, 2000

"Viewpoint: On This Day: March 2, 1927: Poteen for Rheumatism"
The Irish News
Tuesday, March 2, 2000

Sun Sets on Irish Moonshiners
By Steven McCaffery, The Irish News
November 8, 1999

"Not so pure mountain due"
The Irish Post
April 17, 1999 (Page 11)

"Poitin worth £15,000 seized in Co Donegal"
The Irish Times
Home Section: Monday, April 5, 1999

"Gardaí seize 70 gallons of poitín in Donegal"
RTE Interactive News
An article from issue dated 3rd April 1999

"Spirit Explained: Poteen"
CLASS: The Magazine Of Cocktail Culture
(Editor: Simon Difford)
Extract from an article by Lesley Singleton
September / October 1998 - Page 36

"Festive leftovers seized"
The Examiner Newspaper, Ireland
An article from issue dated 2nd September 1998 (Page 2)

"Is it time for us to legalise poitín and market it abroad? Deasún Breathnach thinks so"
The Irish Times
Features Section; Tuesday, January 13, 1998

"Donegal pioneer cleared of owning poteen"
The Irish Times
Opinion Section; Monday, July 7, 1997

"Gardai hunt for poitin-makers"
The Irish Times
Home News; Monday, December 23, 1996

"An outline history of Clonmany Parish"
1978

Big Capture on Inismurray: A Small Distillery
"King" sentenced in Sligo Court
Sligo Independent & West of Ireland Telegraph
Saturday, June 7th 1924