©Poitin Making

In Ireland, illicit Whiskey is known as "Poitin" (pronounced, Pawtch-een). The name comes from the Gaelic word for "small pot" describing the type of Still (wee still) being used as opposed to the large Patent Still operated by Distilleries. Because Poitin is illegal, it is usually known by other understood names such as "the Creatur, Kitty Daly, Mountain dew, etc. In Scotland it is known as Sma' Still and Pot dubh (black pot).

Small pot still:
This is a flat-bottomed copper pot, with a high head which prevents the liquid contained in it from boiling over. From the top of the head runs a copper pipe known as the "Worm" which forms a spiral around the inside of a barrel of cold water and acts as a condenser. The Alcohol leaves the Still in the form of vapor which is cooled and condenses into liquid as it passes through the worm into a receiving vessel. This spirit is then re-distilled once or twice more until it becomes clearer and stronger before being ready to be consumed.

King Henry (2nd) :
When King Henry invaded Ireland in the twelfth century, he discovered that the inhabitants were already making and drinking "Uisge-beatha" (water of life). The present word "Whiskey" is derived from Uisge-beatha. In 1556 a Statute was passed at Drogheda restricting the manufacture of Whiskey except under license. Distilling in domestic situations, apart from the nobility, was forbidden and even the death penalty was used against illicit distillers. By 1660 a tax of 4 pence per gallon was imposed on Whiskey. In 1724 this increased to 8 pence and further increases in 1751 and 1753 meant that sales from the Distilleries decreased sharply and many Distilleries actually closed down, including one at Rathmullan. At this time, by coincidence, it was Government policy to increase the acreage of grain grown through the award of bounties but with demand for grain by the Distilleries falling sharply, farmers were now unable to sell their surplus Barley.

Upsurge in Poitin making :

A combination of high taxes on legal Whiskey, redundant Distillery workers and surplus Barley, resulted in such an increase in Poitin making that the existence of licensed Distilleries was further threatened. The finest Poitin, known as "Inishowen" from the area in County Donegal where it was distilled, was being smuggled into Scotland and was in such demand that the Scotch Whisky industry itself was under threat.
Poitin was usually made in secluded places and the Oughterlin Hills proved to be ideal for the purpose. Croghan & Carradoan were considered to be safe places for distilling and notable Poitin makers lived at Oughterlin, Ballilar, Boylestown, Carradoan and Crogan.
A man who lived at Carnagamhna, known as John beag (Wee John), was considered to be a Revenue informer for no other reason than observation of his horse. His white horse was watched carefully and on any morning that the horse appeared tired and resting in the field rather than being up and eating grass, it was considered that he must have journeyed during the night to the Barracks at Ramelton. Solely on this observation the area would go on alert in fear of a visit from the Guagers. However, it should be noted, that although John beag was suspected, rather sadly, it was never really known whether he had ever been an informer and most likely, not at all?

Although, they used to say " If you get the name of rising early, you can lie to dinner time", but it would appear that it was different for a horse !""whether he had ever been an informer at all.Croghan.

"Guagers" :
The Revenue Police were known as "Guagers" because it was their job to measure the capacity of barrels of whiskey for tax purposes. They were given the added responsibility of suppressing illicit distillation and although they were backed by the Military they had only limited success and were abolished in 1857. Part of their work was taken on by the Royal Irish Constabulary, and continued to this day by their successors, the Garda Siochanna.

Poitin making could not be separated from the economic life of the country because the "stillers" bought the surplus Barley which the farmers had difficulty in selling otherwise. The Landlords, who were expected to uphold the law benefited from tenants' rents, and they turned a blind eye. Just to illustrate the point, the Guagers seized a keg of Poitin, hidden in a shrubbery at Carradoan, and the farmer was summoned to Court. The Judge was Colonel Thomas Batt, the Landlord's son. The defending Solicitor requested the Guager to describe the area where the Poitin was found and asked if there were any trees there. The Guager told the Court that the keg was found hidden among trees on the defendant's land. The Judge intervened; "In that case, I will dismiss the charge because all plantations in this estate are my fathers property".
In 1762 Bridget White, Drumhallagh, petitioned the Customs & Excise that her husband assisted John Sproule, Guager of Ramelton in seizing unstatutable stills, upon which count the country people vowed vengence against him which obliged him to go to America. She sought "some consideration" to enable her to support her helpless children. It was agreed that the facts in the petition were true and she was granted £5 pounds from the King's account of fines & seizures.-source National Archives, Kew, London.

Two Guagers came upon a distiller in Clondallon Hill and were offered two glasses of Poitin which they accepted and later that day they arrived back in Rathmullan shouting, laughing and falling all over the place and had to be put into the Police Barracks for their own safety.

The Townland Fines Act 1806 :
This Law was passed at Westminster and imposed communal fines on all the inhabitants of a Townland in the event of a Still being discovered there. However, the law was outwitted by the "stillers" who were carefully enough to hide their equipment exactly on Townland boundaries. This Law caused much agitation and ended in failure, but a combination of poor harvests and a sharp reduction in Whiskey taxes,1823, enabled legal Distilleries to become competitive again and Poitin making declined from then on.

The Ordnance Survey, 1834, in the Parish of Killygarvan, noted: "the habit of private distillation has not been given up but the practice is not so systematically carried on as formerly. The Shebeen (shibbeen) or unlicensed public houses are numerous and mischievous".

Nowadays, with modern technology, Poitin can be made discreetly and is less likely to be detected but the law is always vigilant and a seizure of Poitin and distilling equipment took place near Buncrana, in December 2000. Never the less, the toast remains: "Slainte Mhaith" (good health) and the response; "Slainte Mhaith Mhor" (very good health) !

Copyright ©2010 Hugh Doherty.