You’ve watched the family drama unfold on The House of Guinness and wondered – did it all really happen like that? Well, pretty much yes – the Netflix television biopic is inspired by real events and real historical figures from the Guinness family, with a few liberties and scripted dialogue to add drama.
The Guinness story begins with one daring man, a 9,000-year lease and a dream to brew something the world would never forget. What followed was a dynasty that shaped Ireland’s identity, fuelled fortunes and inspired legends the continue today. From a humble brewery to entering high society, let’s dive into the real history behind the world’s most famous stout.
Guinness began with one bold brewer
Back in 1759, a 34-year-old Arthur Guinness signed what might be the boldest contract in brewing history – a 9,000-year lease on a small, disused brewery at St. James’s Gate in Dublin. The price? Just £45 a year. He bet everything on his belief that Ireland could brew a beer the world would love.
His story began a few years earlier, when he inherited £100 from his godfather Archbishop Price in 1755. He used that money to lease a brewery in neighbouring Leixlip, Kildare, where he was making ale. It was only in 1778 that Arthur started making English dark beers, and he perfected that richer, darker stout. By 1799 their popularity meant he stopped brewing ales altogether.
READ NEXT: ‘House of Guinness’ filming locations (and how you can visit them IRL)
The rise of the brewing empire
By the mid-1800s, Arthur’s bold gamble had become a brewing powerhouse. Guinness had outgrown the city of Dublin, exporting its signature stout across oceans and continents. The black-and-cream pint – emblazoned with the Irish harp – became a symbol of quality and Irish identity. Guinness was soon found in London’s taverns and the ports of Africa and Asia.
At its peak, St. James’s Gate in Dublin was the largest brewery in the world. It employed thousands and produced millions of barrels a year. The Guinness harp became as recognizable as Ireland itself, appearing on bottles since 1862. In fact, when the Irish Free State was created in 1922 the government had to flip the harp the opposite way to avoid infringing on the Guinness registered trademark.
Turning the late 19th-century into on-screen drama
As the brewery flourished, so did the Guinness name – turning the beer brand into a dynasty of power and ambition, and plenty of scandal. The TV show The House of Guinness brings the family’s golden age to life on-screen as we step into the story around 1868 after the death of patriarch Benjamin Guinness, Arthur’s grandson.
The wealth, the titles, the high-society intrigue are all true. Arthur’s descendants carried his ambition far beyond stout – the family did mingle with aristocrats, fund vast estates and occasionally find themselves making headlines. They became bankers, politicians and philanthropists with great influence. The family shaped social progress, built hospitals and housing, and even helped steer Ireland through industrial change.
What’s heightened for television are the whispers and rivalries – the fictitious dialogue that brings the emotion to what is already a great family story with enough twists and turns.
READ NEXT: A brief history of Ireland’s national drink, Guinness
Scandal, status and high society
In the late 19th-century and early 20th-century the wealthy Guinness family had titles, country estates and royal connections – money opened doors to European high society. But behind the charm and champagne were moments of heartbreak and controversy. Affairs, feuds and the pressures of the family legacy meant they often became front-page news. Will there be a The House of Guinness 2? Well, there’s plenty of material to draw on.
READ NEXT: Discover Be My Guest host Catherine’s Beef & Guinness pies
Philanthropy behind the fame
Beyond the grandeur, the Guinness story is also one of generosity. As the show hints, philanthropy was woven into the family’s identity, forged from once humble roots. The Guinness family shaped Irish society for generations. How? They built housing and hospitals, the brewery paid around 10% higher than the average industrial wage in Dublin at the time, and the factory had a medical centre offering free healthcare to workers and their families. Over time they added benefits such as paid vacation time, free meals, pensions – and a beer allowance, of course.
Do the Guinness family still own Guinness? The modern Guinness legacy
Sadly, not anymore. The family gradually stepped back from the business in the 20th century. Guinness merged with Grand Metropolitan in 1997 to form Diageo. While they no longer own the brewery, the Guinness family name – and their mark on Irish history – remains impossible to separate from the brand’s identity.
READ NEXT: Everything You Need to Know About Guinness
What are some Guinness experiences that I can do on a Trafalgar tour?
With Trafalgar and you can trace the Guinness story back to where it began in Dublin. Visit the Guinness Storehouse at St. James’s Gate in Dublin to learn how the world-famous stout is crafted. Naturally, it includes a pint! While in Dublin, pop by St. Patrick’s Cathedral, restored thanks to Guinness philanthropy. But best of all, on Trafalgar’s Castles and Manors tour guests travel west to Ashford Castle, once owned by the Guinness family and now one of Ireland’s most luxurious hotels. And yes, you’ll get to stay the night – waking up on the estate forever linked to the family’s legacy.
Anything else you want to know about the Guinness family? Leave us a comment…