Tyrconnell was originally named for a racehorse who won at 100:1 odds Irish National Produce Stakes. The name is translated from Gaelic as "land of O'Donnell". It was at one time produced at the Watts Distillery but closed in 1925. It's a brand that has been given new life by the Cooley distillery. Tyrconnell single malt whiskey is the flagship expression from the reborn label.

Cooley Distillery launched in 1987 after converting a potato ethanol plant on the Cooley Peninsula by John Teeling. Their stated aim is to revive historical brands and traditional distilling of Irish whiskey. Cooley purchased several labels to give the new label credibility (Tyrconnell, for example). They mature their whiskey at the site of Kilbeggan and today produce a wide range of different styles. At first enjoying the distinction of being the only independently owned distillery in Ireland, in January, 2012, they were acquired by Beam, Inc (itself later acquired by Suntory) and became the Kilbeggan Distilling Company.