The Great Dublin Whiskey Fire of 1875: A River of Alcohol, Chaos, and Death
When you think of Dublin history, you probably imagine cobblestone streets, Guinness, and charming Georgian architecture. But in 1875, one of the city’s most infamous neighborhoods, the Liberties, became ground zero for a disaster so bizarre it sounds like a dark comedy.
The Great Dublin Whiskey Fire started on June 18, 1875, when a warehouse owned by Laurence Malone exploded, unleashing over 300,000 gallons of whiskey into the streets. Eyewitnesses described “literal streams” of flaming alcohol flowing through the narrow lanes. Residents scrambled to scoop up whiskey with bowls, boots, and even their hands, leading to dozens of cases of alcohol poisoning—and, tragically, 13 deaths.
The newly formed Dublin Fire Brigade, led by Captain James Robert Ingram, realized traditional firefighting methods were useless. Hoses only spread the flames, so the firefighters and local volunteers had to improvise… using horse manure, mud, and sand to absorb the burning whiskey. It was messy, dangerous, and unforgettable—a literal river of fire and booze.
Curious to hear the full story with humor, historical context, and even tales of a dog tragically caught in the chaos? Comedians Robert Bacon and Jenna O’Brien dive deep into this strange event on the newest episode of the Mistakes Were Made podcast. They explore the disaster, the human folly, and the sheer absurdity of a fire fueled by whiskey.
Don’t miss this episode if you love:
Weird and little-known historical disasters
Dark comedy and absurd stories from the past
True tales of human folly and ingenuity
🎧 Listen to the episode now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Keywords: Great Dublin Whiskey Fire, Dublin history podcast, Mistakes Were Made podcast, historical disasters, Irish history podcast, bizarre history stories, whiskey fire, funny history podcast, Dublin Liberties 1875, historical blunders.
