Brought to you by Bushmills Irish Whiskey
Here's how to nab a place at these exclusive events...
Irish candle maker Michael Morris gives new meaning to the phrase “follow your nose”. Blending every scent that goes into his candles by hand, he always makes sure the finished product is as authentic as possible.
Michael has always been a believer in the emotive power of smell. From a young age, he wrote about how scents can bring back 1,000 memories. Now, the wild Irish landscape is inspiring his own creations.
On Tuesday, 27 and Wednesday, 28 November, Michael will host an event with Bushmills Irish Whiskey called "Black Bush Alight," at Drury Buildings in Dublin. The #BlackBushStories events celebrate the stories of Irish talent who've gone against the grain to follow their passion.
Those who attend will have the chance to create their own keepsake candle, inspired by the rich, fruity notes and intense taste of Bushmills Black Bush®. As well as that, attendees will hear Michael’s story first-hand on how he followed his passion with The Bearded Candle Makers.
Not only will you gain an insight into Michael’s story and craft, but there will also be a hands-on workshop to test your own candle making skills. After learning from masters of the trade in France, there certainly aren't many others on this island with his kind of knowledge.
“Smells have the power to transport people”
“I close my eyes and can picture myself by a turf fire with a good book, sipping a good whiskey, walking in the Mournes or on Achill Island," Michael says about the power of smell.
Creating a product that ties in with those emotions is what The Bearded Candle Makers is all about. The road less travelled is often the more difficult one, as he found out for himself when starting out.
“It hasn’t always been straightforward," he says of his journey.
Since leaving his full-time retail job to pursue his passion, he pours his own personal experiences into every candle. The Bearded Candle Makers range is inspired by personal memories of Ireland’s distinctive landscapes and rugged coastlines.
Every day brings the opportunity for a new experience to spark his pursuit of the perfect scent. Creating every candle from inception to postage, Michael shares his story with people all over the world, to help evoke their own memories.
"Self-belief, a love for my craft and hard work have always kept me going,” he says.
Black Bush Alight will begin with an educational tasting session on some of the best-loved Bushmills whiskeys. As if that wasn't enough, specially-created Black Bush winter drinks will also be served throughout the evening.
The limited-edition Black Bush inspired candles created by Michael are available to win at blackbushstories.com. The hand-crafted beauties are the perfect whiskey drinking companion this festive season.
To register for ‘Black Bush Alight’, to hear more about Michael's story and to enter the candle competition, visit blackbushstories.com. To join in the conversation and keep up to date with the #BlackBushStories series, follow Bushmills Irish Whiskey on social media.
Brought to you by Bushmills Irish Whiskey 
