The Home of Guinness, Dublin, unveils a summer long season of festivities to mark Guinness 250

This summer, for the months of June, July and August, GUINNESS STOREHOUSE, Ireland’s number 1 visitor attraction will host a season of music, lectures, tours and demonstrations to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the GUINNESS Company.  With over 90 events planned, the GUINNESS STOREHOUSE 250 SUMMER FESTIVAL will kick off on the 1st June 2009 and run until the 30th August 2009. Festival events will take place daily and will feature a strong GUINNESS and Irish theme.

At weekends, Ireland’s number one visitor attraction will become a spectacle of music and dance.  A Céilí Mór (traditional Irish social dance) with a live Céilí band and troupe of professional Irish dancers will bring the house down in a maelstrom of merry-making and revelry each Saturday.  Visitors will have the opportunity to take to the floor and learn traditional Irish set dances such as the ‘Walls of Limerick’ and ‘Siege of Ennis’.

All Ireland and World Dancing Champions and Musicians will perform a lively and entertaining show of Modern Irish dance, similar to shows such as Riverdance and Lord of the Dance.  Many of the dancers have performed with these shows in the past.

On Sundays in the Source Bar, the living tradition of Irish music will be realised with a traditional Irish music session or “seisún” of jigs, reels and Irish ballads. 

For those who ever sought the secrets of making a great GUINNESS & Beef Irish Stew or other GUINNESS infused culinary delights, GUINNESS STOREHOUSE Head Chef, Justin O’Connor will give live food demonstrations on ‘Cooking with GUINNESS’.  Participants will have the opportunity to taste Justin’s creations and receive a complimentary GUINNESS Cookbook.

Our GUINNESS Archivist will present the ‘Top 10 Golden Moments of GUINNESS History’ including a rare chance to view founding documents of the GUINNESS Company, to learn about key events in the company’s history and why St. James’s Gate grew to become the largest brewery in the world.
 

2009 marks the 80th anniversary of GUINNESS Advertising and a guided  ‘GUINNESS Advertising Tour’ will bring visitors through some of the most memorable and innovative advertising campaigns used through the years by the GUINNESS Company. 

GUINNESS devotees will relish the chance to partake in the ‘GUINNESS Variants Tasting Sessions’, where they will not only learn how to appreciate and taste the different GUINNESS variants but also master the art of how to pour the perfect pint of GUINNESS.

A specially commissioned ‘GUINNESS 250 guided tour of GUINNESS STOREHOUSE’ will delve deeper into the history of how the GUINNESS story has unfolded over the centuries from humble beginnings to become a global brand synonymous with Ireland.

In addition, on three separate afternoons, on 19th June, 17th July and 28th August, a select audience of lucky visitors will have a rare opportunity to Enjoy a Guinness with a Guinness. Rory Guinness is eighth generation Guinness, descended directly from Arthur.  A Dubliner and brewer by birth, Rory is passionate about the great legacy his family has bestowed on Dublin.  Rory will be happy to regale a few tales from his family’s history and to answer questions visitors may have.
 

All festival events will be provided at no extra charge to GUINNESS STOREHOUSE visitors.  Booking is not required, places will be limited and offered on a ‘first come first served basis’.  For further information and to purchase admission tickets with a 10% discount, log on to www.guinness-storehouse.com

GUINNESS STOREHOUSE 250 SUMMER FESTIVAL

CELEBRATING GUINNESS 250 AT THE HOME OF GUINNESS

1 JUNE 2009 – 30 AUGUST 2009

Ends

For further information / media enquiries, please contact:
Mark McGovern, Media Relations
E: mark.mcgovern@diageo.com
M: +353 86 34 88 322