Our History

P. Bermingham & Whiskey

By Patrick Donnelly - caretaker

Patrick Bermingham - Family Grocer Wine Spirit Merchant, Ludlow St, Navan

Patrick Bermingham and later his sister Jane Bermingham founded (1884) and operated the bar up until 1948, when it was taken over by a family member John Marmion.

More than a pub: Merchant & Bottler

Early in the pub’s foundation Patrick Bermingham became a Spirit Merchant. This is evident in his early own label design, which approximately dates to 1900.

Engraved label reading Special Old Malt Whiskey from Patrick Bermingham, Family Grocer, Wine & Spirit Merchant, Ludlow Street, Navan — Surviving P. Bermingham label: “Special Old Malt Whiskey” — Ludlow Street, Navan.

P. Bermingham is not a newly invented whiskey story. It is a revival of a documented Navan trading tradition: a family business dealing in groceries, wine, spirits and stout. A business that also bottled and presented spirits from established Irish distillers, the bar would sign annual bottling agreements with the distillers and then bespoke labels would be provided to the bar. Just some of the old labels;

John Power & Son Three Swallow Dublin Whiskey label, bottled by Miss Jane Bermingham, Ludlow St. Navan — Surviving P. Bermingham Agreement labels: Powers & JJ&S — Ludlow Street, Navan.

John Jameson & Son JJ&S Dublin Whiskey label, bottled by J. Bermingham, 7 Ludlow St., Navan — Surviving P. Bermingham Agreement labels: Powers & JJ&S — Ludlow Street, Navan.

John Jameson & Son three star bottle label, necklet and capsule contract signed by Jane Bermingham, Ludlow St, Navan, September 1926 — P. Bermingham Bottling Contract JJ&S — 1926.

Interestingly the agreement stipulates the minimum spirit strength of Twenty Four Degrees under proof, this equates to about 43% ABV. Ledger records from 1889 show transactions with JJ&Son, indeed they show the extent of demand for whiskey at the time. The image shows two purchases in March & August 1889 for a full hogshead of whiskey.

Handwritten 1889 ledger page headed John Jameson & Son, with entries for March and August — P. Bermingham Ledger 1889 - John Jameson & Son

Let’s jump forward to 2024. For the first time in approximately 100 years Bermingham’s release #1(72 Bottles) is launched, a celebration of 140 years since the establishment of the premises. Then again in 2025, release #2(84 Bottles), a superb port finish 7yo single malt.

P. Bermingham release #1, a 13 year old single grain Irish whiskey bottled in 2024, on the bar — P. Bermingham Release #1 & #2(2024 & 2025).

P. Bermingham release #2, a 7 year old triple distilled single malt with a ruby port cask finish, bottled in 2025, on the bar — P. Bermingham Release #1 & #2(2024 & 2025).

The revival

Today, P. Bermingham is returning to that independent tradition. We select individual casks and limited quantities of Irish whiskey, with an emphasis on character, provenance and individuality. Each release is intended to be something that could only sensibly carry the P. Bermingham name.

Then, as now

The business has changed. The principle has not. A good spirit deserves careful selection, honest presentation and a merchant willing to put their own name behind it. From Ludlow Street in Victorian Navan to our bottles today, the name is built around independent taste.

Roll on 2026 and the new double release #3 has arrived, a 5yo Vintage Mashbill Irish Whiskey from Boann Distillery in Co. Meath.

P. Bermingham release #3, Single Cask 46% — P. Bermingham Release #3 @ 46% & 61.9%

P. Bermingham release #3, Cask Strength 61.9% — P. Bermingham Release #3 @ 46% & 61.9%

“P. Bermingham — Independent Bottlers & Spirit Merchants, Navan. Since 1884.”
— Patrick Donnelly

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