Lifestyle & Sports
07 Jul 26

Guinness Storehouse: Championing Community & Culture in Dublin 8

DUBLIN 8 COMMUNITY

As the view from the stunning Gravity Bar reminds each and every visitor, there would be no Guinness without Dublin – and Dublin would look very different indeed without Guinness.

Way back in 1759, Arthur Guinness altered the course of the city’s history forever, by signing his famous 9,000-year lease for a then-disused brewery at St. James’s Gate, in the Liberties. The community was soon flooded with jobs and opportunities, bringing a serious boost to both the local economy and the country at large – as Guinness ultimately grew into the world’s most popular stout.

Those roots haven’t been forgotten, particularly at the Guinness Storehouse. Located in a former fermentation plant on Market Street, the attraction is right at the heart of the action in Dublin 8 – an area famed not only for its acclaimed pubs, boundary-pushing restaurants, and important landmarks, but also for the unique, fiery spirit of its people. From its industrial past to the cultural renaissance it’s currently in the midst of, the Liberties has emerged as a vital hub of creativity in contemporary Dublin, where you’ll find local stories and talent by the barrel load.

Of course, the Guinness Storehouse is not only surrounded by this thriving community but has also become a deeply integrated part of it.

While Guinness’s rich history of philanthropy is well-documented, recent years have seen the company making new efforts to support the people, places and organisations that shape the area’s identity, with the launch of the Guinness Dublin 8 Community Fund. In April, the recipients of the inaugural Fund were celebrated at a special ceremony at the Guinness Storehouse – with 18 local organisations receiving almost €500,000 as part of a five-year, €1 million commitment, for projects spanning community development, educational opportunities, and climate action.

Ronald ‘Ronnie’ Byrne, the head coach at St. Catherine’s Boxing Club, was among the recipients.

“Because the boxing club is run on a voluntary basis, the coaches give so much of their own time, and to keep that going you need funding,” he commented. “With support from the Guinness Dublin 8 Community Fund, we’ll be able to fund more classes for young adults with special needs and for people over 35 – groups we simply weren’t able to target before. For any of the groups getting this funding, it’s going to make such a difference for them and for the area we live in.’’

It’s not the only way Guinness has been supporting the community. In March, it was revealed that Diageo Ireland – the company behind the brand – invested €1.9 million in community programmes over the course of 2025. Culture remained a huge part of their focus, with €400,000 of that figure going to some of Dublin’s most important cultural and creative organisations.

“Our community engagement is rooted in Dublin 8, where we’ve worked closely with local partners to deliver meaningful impact together for more than 260 years,” said Shane Kelly, Director of Corporate Relations at Diageo Ireland. “Every programme we support, every training opportunity we help deliver, and every cultural initiative we back are shaped by the fact that communities know best what works for them, and our role is to listen, support, and invest in ways that create lasting value.”

Diageo Ireland also remains a proud supporter of The Liberties Festival, one of Ireland’s oldest and most beloved neighbourhood celebrations. Last year saw the company double its investment in the festival, which featured over 65 events.

“The Liberties Festival has always been about bringing people together and celebrating the unique spirit of our local community,” said festival director Michael McDermott. “Thanks to Diageo Ireland’s continued support, this year we were able to offer a diverse and expanded range of free and accessible offerings for everyone in our programme. These captured and reflected the heart and soul of the area in fresh and inventive ways.”

BOUNDARY-PUSHING MUSICAL TALENT

The Guinness Storehouse also serves as an important hub for that local energy. Over the years, it has evolved into a living, breathing cultural institution deeply rooted in Dublin 8 – one where the historic heartbeat of the Liberties pulses to the sound of modern Ireland.

The Guinness Storehouse is now a space that locals have embraced as their own – with Lovely Days Live at the Home of Guinness emerging as one of the most buzzed-about events in the city last summer. Across three action-packed days, the Guinness Storehouse lined up performances that rocked Dublin 8 from artists of international standing like Fontaines D.C., Lankum, CMAT, Barry Can’t Swim and BIIRD, among others.

In 2026, they are opening the doors again for fans and locals alike to enjoy SETS at the Guinness Storehouse – designed to combine the rhythm and magic of summer nights with your favourite people over a creamy pint.

Transforming the space into a place for a proper summer party, the series features a fresh line-up each month – with dance-pop icon Romy of the Mercury Prize-winning band The xx havng kicked off proceedings with a rare, intimate show in mid-June.

Dubliners can also soak up the summertime vibes at the top of the city with a new bookable offering, Thursday Night Social – a vibrant experience for locals at the Home of Guinness. Running from 6pm every Thursday in July and August, the series is an invitation to make the most of those summer evenings in the city, with a limited number of special €15 local tickets available.

Alongside a self-guided tour and a complimentary pint, you can expect sets from some of Dublin’s best DJs and collectives – with George Feely, Alice Ugbah and SHREM providing the soundtrack, and panoramic views of the city supplying the backdrop. Dublin’s culinary connoisseurs will find plenty to be impressed by too, with a curated selection of top food trucks popping up on the historic cobblestones – including a new Guinness Storehouse exclusive menu courtesy of Hawker x Hang Dai and fresh summer bites by Salty Buoy.

Clearly, the Guinness Storehouse has emerged not only as an attraction to enjoy as a Dubliner, but also as a space to reclaim as your own – with the Home of Guinness serving as a home for bold Irish talent, and those who support it.

CREATIVES AND TRENDSETTERS

Of course, it’s not only musicians who have been platformed in this iconic space. This year, the Guinness Storehouse have joined forces with the Minaw Collective, to transform the building’s central atrium with the display of 12 bold new works, available to view throughout the summer months.

A leading voice in the Irish and international street art scene, the Minaw Collective is made up of female, queer and non-binary artists, who champion inclusion and artist exchange – with their name putting a contemporary twist on mná, the Irish word for women.

Claire Prouvost, one of the Minaw Collective artists, says her contribution was inspired by a visit to the Guinness Storehouse, and delving into the archives.

“I was immediately drawn to the building itself,” she remarks. “Its architecture holds past and present in the same space, with industrial structures standing alongside the life and movement of today…

“What stays with me is how these histories continue to blend with the present,” she adds. “A building once driven by industry now welcomes people from all over the world to discover the story of the famous Black Stuff.”

In addition to the art, music and events, the seasonal dishes and Guinness-inspired flavours across the Guinness Storehouse’s restaurants are a major draw of their own – inspiring repeat visits from locals and visitors alike.

The main dining spaces include 1837 Bar & Brasserie – a full-service restaurant named after the year Guinness and oysters were famously declared a perfect match – and Arthur’s Bar, a more relaxed spot with an all-day menu celebrating Irish produce. You can look forward to oysters with stout, beef and Guinness stew, smoked salmon, burgers, toasties and a particularly unforgettable chocolate mousse – all crafted by chefs who understand the rich, roasted character of Guinness.

Be sure to check out the pop-up food trucks too!

There’s no doubt that, since opening in 2000, the Guinness Storehouse has evolved into something much more profound than just a brewery tour. It’s a cultural institution, on both a local and an international scale, that Irish people can enjoy any time of year – with its ongoing cultural activities inspiring a whole new generation of locals, creatives and trendsetters to connect with this special space in Dublin 8.

Whether you’re enjoying a world-class concert, taking in a brilliant exhibition, or sipping a beautiful pint while overlooking the city in the Gravity Bar, you’ll find yourself not only gaining new insights into the world of Guinness, but also the remarkable, ever-evolving culture of this thriving community – where tradition and innovation have always come together.