Highbank Farm in Co. Kilkenny was a 17th-century farmyard and the present farmhouse was built in the 19th century.
The first apple orchards were planted by the family, in 1969, to complement the hop gardens. The fertile Kilkenny limestone soils proved to be the perfect place to grow their rich apples.
The varieties of apples are specially chosen for their juicing properties which are uniquely complex and full of health-giving vitamins and minerals.
Highland Orchards keeps their production to the strictest of organic standards. No chemicals are sprayed on the apples, neither are any herbicides or chemical fertilizers used.
Highbank Orchards is home to the original and innovative and multi award-winning Highbank Orchard Syrup. Highland Orchard also produces their acclaimed non-alcoholic Drivers Cider as well as Highbank Proper Cider and Medieval Cider, matured on their wild yeasts with no added sulphites.
2014 brought the addition of Dodonus, the smallest distillery in Ireland which was built in the old Highbank Dairy. The distillery went on to product Highbank Organic Apple Spirits - the first Irish and Kilkenny Organic Apple gin known as Highbank Crystal Gin, Highbank Orchard Spirit, Highbank Orchard Liqueur Brandey, and Highbank Organic Apple Vodka.
