A Partnership of Place: Curraghmore Whiskey and the Blackwater Valley Opera Festival
This May, Curraghmore Whiskey is proud to announce a new partnership with the Blackwater Valley Opera Festival (BVOF). It is a collaboration that brings together two of Waterford’s most dedicated proponents of craft and heritage, rooted in a shared commitment to the region.
For us at Curraghmore, partnership is about more than just a logo on a programme. It is about an alignment of values. The Blackwater Valley Opera Festival has spent the last 15 years building a world-class cultural event within the historic venues of Waterford and Cork. Similarly, Curraghmore Whiskey is built on 850 years of family stewardship at the Curraghmore Estate. Both brands are defined by a long-term investment in "place" - the idea that where something is made, and the history behind it, matters.
The Integrity of the Single Estate
Our whiskey is a Single Estate Pot Still Irish Whiskey, made entirely from barley and oats grown on our own fields in County Waterford. In a world of mass production, this level of control is rare. It requires patience and an uncompromising approach to quality.
This rarity resonates with the audience of the Blackwater Valley Opera Festival. Whether it is a performance at Lismore Castle or a recital in a private estate, the BVOF audience understands that excellence is the result of meticulous preparation and respect for tradition.
Festival director, Eamonn Carroll, and Curraghmore Whiskey's CEO, Richard De La Poer Beresford, toast the new partnership at Curraghmore Estate
A Shared Narrative
The 2026 festival, running from May 26th to June 1st, highlights the best of the region. While Mozart’s Don Giovanni at Lismore Castle is already fully booked, the programme remains rich with performances, including Handel’s Acis and Galatea and the recital series at Dromore Yard.
Richard de la Poer Beresford, whose family has called Curraghmore home since 1167, sees this partnership as a natural fit for the estate’s legacy:
"The Blackwater Valley Opera Festival is a celebration of this region’s capacity for excellence. At Curraghmore, we produce whiskey that is an expression of our specific corner of Waterford - a single estate pursuit that takes years of patience. Partnering with the festival feels like a natural extension of that philosophy; both require an uncompromising commitment to craft and a deep respect for the heritage of the places we call home."
Join Us in the Valley
For the business community and the cultural traveller alike, this collaboration connects premium Irish exports with high-end cultural tourism. It is about showcasing the very best of what Waterford has to offer to a national and international audience.
We look forward to seeing many of our friends and supporters in the Blackwater Valley this summer, celebrating the best of Irish music, history, and, of course, whiskey.
To view the full 2026 programme and book remaining tickets, visit www.blackwatervalleyopera.ie.
