Arthur’s Day: 250 Years of Guinness
Ennis pub
I never appreciated the strong connection that the Irish had with Guinness, until my recent trip to Ireland, and saw the anticipation leading up to Arthur’s Day on September 24, 2009 – a celebration of 250 years of Guinness. I was in Ireland 2 weeks prior to this event and can I tell you, the excitement building up to the event was palpable. The marketing in terms of awareness raised around the county was truly stupendous. Dublin may have been the epicenter, but the rest of the country was not to be left out. This was a home grown winner they were honoring and they certainly intended to do it right.
They put more thought and effort into this event that I would have ever considered. I went for a run through Dublin early on Arthur’s Day and ran past a few of the pubs participating in the event. If you ever go to Dublin in search of a good pub, know that in addition to atmosphere and food and what ever other criteria you might come up with, the pouring of a good pint of Guinness is also a critical factor. Those pubs were busy replacing their awnings with special ones that had the 250 years identified on the front to show that something special time was to be had within.
So, what is Arthur’s Day?
Arthur’s Day is a celebration of the 250 years that Guinness has been in existence. Pubs and bars around the world threw a heck of a party and all star bands played tribute, not just in Dublin but around the world. At 17:59 (5:59 for all those not on militarty time) pints were raised in Aurthur’s honor. 1759 was the year Guiness was founded, by the way.
Brief History of Guinness
Guinness Brewery with Dublin backdrop
Arthur Guinness saw a vacant brewery in Dublin and thought it an ideal location to set up shop. He signed a 9,000 year lease with an annual rent of £45 for a four acre site. STOP – consider that – Guinness is paying only £45/year for what they originally rented, and they are only 250 years into a 9,000 year lease. He thought that was a good deal at the time, so imagine if he knew what that amount was worth in today’s value. Today those four acres have expanded to 60 and Guinness is truly a massive operation in the heart of Dublin.
the famous mascot
At the time Guinness brewed ale and other light beers that were popular in the day, but Arthur was quick to pick up on the fact that the dark beer consumed by porters in Covent Garden and Billingsgate markets was gaining in popularity, and decided to make his own. Because no one else was making anything like it, within a matter of years he became very successful, so successful that in Guinness’s first 150 years, the brewery expanded 25 fold.
Contrary to popular belief the water sourced comes from the Wicklow Mountains which border Dublin, and not the River Liffey which runs through the City. More on the making of Guinness in a future post.
Guinness in Dublin
O'Neills pub in Dublin
I did not have to struggle to figure out some sense as to why this was such a big deal – I’m from a town that is dominated by a single employer, so I noted with interest the impact that Guinness had on Dublin. It is a symbiotic relationship to be sure.
In addition to the brewery, Guinness has its own theater, hospital (ironically it also has a drying out clinic), and ambulance service. We were informed that the distinction between the city’s ambulances and those of Guinness is that the later has a ladder to retrieve a person that may have fallen in a vat – that is, if he or she wants to be fished out.
On our tours, we repeatedly heard of the philanthropy of Guinness, and both Dublin and Guinness acknowledge that without the other things would be vastly different today. While the celebration may have passed, there’s more Guinness to consume, and I propose a belated toast to Arthur from the other side of the pond.
Source: The World of Guinness by Rory Guinness
NY Times article by Colm Toibin on his search for the perfect pint of Guinness.
Dublin pub sign
A Guinness hospital? Do the patients get to down a pint as part of their get-well regiment?
What a great post!! My husband & I love Guinness!! We love visiting Ireland too!
Isn’t the brewery a remarkable place? I wasn’t sure about touring a brewery as I am not a beer drinker – but I did find it fascinating. My daughter sneezed her way through it – so we thought maybe she was allergic to barley! The 9,000 year lease is certainly seeing into the future. Grand post.
How fun that you were in Ireland! There are definitely images of Guinness everywhere in Dublin! We loved our tour of the Guinness factory and my daughter still sings the jingle “Guinness is good for you”
The cartoon commercials were of course her favorite part. We can’t wait to go back to Dublin next summer!
Ah, Guinness. How I would love to have a pint right about now. That’s so cool that you were able to attend the festivities.
A Guinness hospital is quite intriguing. Makes getting sick more fun.
Sounds cool!!! I didn’t know that Guiness even had a hospital and provide ambulance service! So, have you changed your mind and started to enjoy a pint or two (or three or four or…) of Guiness now? Hahahaha.
Carolyn – I believe they do
The health connection to Guinness is interesting. Apparently when they were trying to developing an advertising plan they questioned consumers of what they thought about Guinness, and it was unaminious – “Guinness is good for you. It was even recommended drinking for pregnant mothers, and the sick and injured.
Sophie – thanks – I’ve certainly developed a fondness for both Guinness and Ireland as well.
Claudia – it was such a fun tour. It was a toss up between Guinness and Jameson, but with Arthur’s Day we felt Guinness ruled out. Hope your daughter felt better after the tour. Does this mean you do not have to worry later …
Natasha – It was a lot of fun. I think I drove my mom crazy taking photos of Guinness and pubs around Ireland.
Jenn – Me too! I really enjoyed Guinness much more than expected. Mainly as it tastes so much better than its American version which I find too heavy.
Duo – I should think so =)
Kenny – I certainly have – like vitamins for prevention =)
What a fabulous time to be in Dublin! When we were there in July, I’d only scheduled 2 hours to visit the Guinness Storehouse but then ended spending the entire day there. We walked from our hotel and I remember following the smell of the barley (kinda like chocolate and coffee). Then I got to taste some roasted barley at the storehouse and it reminded me of an espresso bean in both taste and texture. At the end of our visit, we crammed ourselves into the Gravity bar to get our free pint (I waited extra long for the bartender that could pour a pint with a perfect shamrock on top – going to email you a photo
)
How cool that you were able to tour the brewery. I did not know that Guinness had a hospital!! What a great time to be in Dublin, huh? I’m not a huge beer drinker but I do love a Guinness on a cold night.
I’m not Irish but love, really love Guinness is one of my favorite beer….but not too much beer in a hospital
Cheers!
Gera
During our trip to Ireland, we saw ‘Guinness’ trucks parked in front of vans – not to deliver the drink, but to makes sure that the establishment was adhering to proper procedures with regard to it, such as pouring it properly. At one pub, I identified myself as a pathetic tourist by reaching for the glass before its proper time – the bartender gently corrected me. After I got over my embarrassment, I fell in love with Guinness!
Great post!
During our trip to Ireland, we saw ‘Guinness’ vans parked in front of pubs – not to deliver the drink, but to makes sure that the establishment was adhering to proper procedures with regard to it, such as pouring it properly. At one pub, I identified myself as a pathetic tourist by reaching for the glass before its proper time – the bartender gently corrected me. After I got over my embarrassment, I fell in love with Guinness!
Great post!
wonder if people get sick on purpose to get to the hospital…I wasn’t too excited about visiting the brewery because beer making is not really my thing, but so glad I did. And guinness does have that depth and color that I think puts its a notch above many of the others.
I really enjoyed the visit at Guiness brewery and I agree that Guiness tastes better in Ireland! I was not fond of stout, but I changed my mind there (apart from stout bier made with oysters, quite disgusting to my taste!)
Simona
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Phyllis – loved the photo and the Gravity Bar was definitely worth the wait – the views were awesome! Guinness has the marketing thing down pat!
Lisa – I’m with you, not much of a beer drinker but the Guinness had me rethinking my position.
Gera – for medicinal purposes only =)
TN – They certainly have elevated the art of beer to an art from. If I was with you, I probably would have reached first and saved you the embarrassment, except you would have been embarrassed to be associated with me at that point, oh well.
Gastro – I don’t know, I’d be filling sick a lot of that was the case =)
Simona – OOh, stout made from oysters, now that would be an acquired taste!