Arthur Guinness

McGuinness Coat of arms

Guinness - panoramio

Arthur Guinness Home on Thomas Street

Arthur Guinness II

Grave, Oughter Ard

Arthur Guinness (1725 – 23 January 1803) was an Irish brewer and the founder of the Guinness brewery business and family. He is best known for establishing the Guinness brewery in the year 1759, when he signed a 9,000-year lease at £45 per annum for the unused brewery at St. James's Gate, Dublin. Today, Guinness is one of the most successful beer brands worldwide, known especially for its distinctive dark stout.

Early Life

Arthur Guinness was born in 1725 in Celbridge, County Kildare, Ireland. His father, Richard Guinness, was a land steward for the Archbishop of Cashel, Dr. Arthur Price, and it is believed that Arthur was named after the Archbishop. The Guinness family were originally leased a brewery in Leixlip, County Kildare, in 1755, where Arthur began his brewing business.

Establishment of Guinness Brewery

In 1759, Arthur Guinness moved to Dublin to expand his brewing operations. On 31 December 1759, he signed a 9,000-year lease for the St. James's Gate Brewery. The lease, which included four acres, was remarkably forward-thinking and is a testament to Guinness's vision for his brewery. Initially, the brewery produced a variety of ales, but it was the introduction of the porter style of beer in the early 1770s that set the stage for the brewery's future success.

Expansion and Success

Under Arthur's leadership, the Guinness brewery expanded rapidly. By the 1780s, Guinness was being exported to England, and Arthur began to focus on the production of 'black beer', which would later become known as stout. Arthur's innovative approach to brewing, coupled with his business acumen, laid the foundation for Guinness's enduring success.

Legacy

Arthur Guinness's legacy is not limited to the world of brewing. He was also known for his philanthropy, particularly in Dublin, where he contributed to the development of housing for the city's poor. Arthur Guinness passed away on 23 January 1803 and was buried in Oughterard, County Kildare. The company he founded has grown into one of the most recognizable and respected brands globally, with Guinness stout enjoying popularity across the world.

Arthur Guinness's contribution to the brewing industry and his impact on Irish culture and society are commemorated in various ways, including through the annual celebration of Arthur's Day, which was started in 2009 to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Guinness brewery.

See Also

• Guinness family
• Guinness brewery
• Stout
• Brewing