​A Traveling Irish Toast

Irishman Tim Herlihy, Tullamore D.E.W. Brand Ambassador and Irish pub historian, is taking a month-long adventure cross country in search of the best ways to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in all 50 states in the “Tullamore D.E.W. Irish True Pub Tour.” Tim is touring the nation, visiting the pubs and people that that make St. Patrick’s Day a special holiday. He will also be debuting Trilogy, a 15-year-old Irish Whiskey. The journey begins on February 17 in Los Angeles, and ends March 17 in New York City.

Tim will be stopping at the Blarney Stone Pub in West Fargo on Tuesday, February 23 around 8 p.m. to meet locals, find out how they celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, and share an Irish toast. Rumor has it that the local St. Patrick’s Parade planning committee will be among those on hand to welcome him and join him in the toast.

A native of Termonfeckin, Ireland, he has worked for and traveled to numerous distilleries. He has extensive knowledge of the history of whiskey and the entire production process from malting to maturation. He presents all over the world, and especially likes talking about the history and prevalence of the Irish pub. In 2015, Tim was crowned Whisky Magazine’s Icons of Whisky: Best Irish Whiskey Ambassador.

I had the opportunity to interview Tim on the phone. Imagine him speaking in a delightful Irish accent.

High Plains Reader: What do you like the most about St. Patrick’s Day?

Tim Herlihy: I’m most excited that I get to celebrate it in America. In Ireland it is a National Holiday. As a kid, you’d be off school, and it was a great day for the family. As you got older it was visiting your friends at a local pub. I’m really impressed with how Americans celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, especially the parades. Did you know that in Ireland, up until 1961, you could not drink on St. Patrick’s Day because the pubs were closed? We’ve fixed that.

HPR: What are some common misconceptions about St. Patrick’s Day?

TH: A few things I can clear up. First, although St. Patrick is Ireland’s ‘most famous Irishman,’ he was actually born in Wales. So he’s more of an honorary Irishman. Second, St. Patrick is known as the most talented snake charmer. He must have been so talented that we never had snakes for him to charm away. But if anyone gets credit, I’m happy it’s him. St. Patrick’s Day is not St. Patrick’s birthday. We’re actually celebrating, Irish wake-style, the day of his death.”

Also, the original color of St. Patrick’s Day was not green. It was blue. It goes back to the order of St. Patrick, and the original Irish flag, which was blue. Also, in the United States, when St. Patrick’s parades first started, most people wore blue to honor St. Patrick and also because most cops were Irish American and they marched in their blue uniforms. Today, St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated with green. I’m okay with that because I look better in green. My eyes shine in my green outfit.

HPR: Irish Pubs are so popular throughout the world. What is their charm?

TH: I have always been intrigued with Irish pubs. Everyone’s favorite watering hole seems to be an Irish Pub. An Irish pub is not pretentious. It’s a friendly and welcoming place where you go with friends or go to make new friends. The same can be said about the Irish people in general.

HPR: Are there any favorite Irish pubs you’ve visited?

TH: How much time do you have? I love The Dead Rabbit in New York City. Not only was named it Best Bar in 2015 (by Tales of the Cocktail), it is also where I’ll be ending the tour. The first floor is an Irish pub with the largest Irish whiskey selection in the United States. I am beginning my tour in Los Angeles at Tom Bergin’s, famous for its Irish coffee -- I can’t think of a finer way to start out my adventure.

HPR: Tell me about Tullamore D.E.W. Whiskey.

TH: Tullamore D.E.W. gets its name from the town of Tullamore in Ireland. But the ‘Dew’ is not the moisture on the grass dew that you think it is. Daniel Edmond Williams went to work at the Tullamore Distillery at age 14. He would go on to own the distillery and when he took over, he added his initials D.E.W. to the brand. This is also where ‘Give every man their due (dew)’ comes from. On my tour I’ll be introducing people to our new product, Trilogy. It is triple-distilled, and is smooth and friendly. We lay it to rest in oak casks. It has lots of flavor and complexity to it. And we’ll all get to taste it on February 23 at the Blarney Stone.

HPR: I think I want your job. What do you enjoy about being a Tullamore D.E.W. Ambassador?

TH: First, I’ve been a whiskey fanatic for awhile, and Tullamore D.E.W. is my favorite Irish whiskey, so I get to enjoy it. Second, I enjoy sharing it with people and teaching people about it.

IF YOU GO:

WHAT: Meet Tim Herlihy - Tullamore D.E.W. Irish True Pub Tour

WHERE: The Blarney Stone Pub, 1910 9th St E, West Fargo

WHEN: February 23, 8 p.m.

COST: Buy your own beverage.