Just a short trip from both of our hotels, the Guinness Storehouse is a must visit for anybody coming to the capital city. Having welcomed over 24 million visitors (and counting) the Guinness Storehouse Dublin is Ireland’s most visited tourist attraction. Brimming with history and fascinating stories, the Guinness factory is located at St. James’s Gate in Dublin 8, and it is where Guinness is still brewed to this very day. It’s fresh off the tails of a world’s best tourist attraction. This may seem like your average feat, but St. James’ Gate experience beat Machu Picchu, Taj Mahal and the Grand Canyon in this prestigious awards
This is of course down to the fact that in 1759, Arthur Guinness signed a 9,000 year lease for the site, and what a site it is! With working breweries, bars, restaurants and of course, the Guinness factory, there is so much to see and do at this Dublin visitor attraction. Planning a visit to the Guinness Storehouse? Here’s everything you need to know.
The History of the Storehouse
The Guinness Storehouse is a very historic site in Dublin, dating all the way back to 1759. It was during this year that Arthur Guinness signed a lease, which was 9,000 years long, to take over the site at St. James’s Gate.
Arthur Guinness got straight to work on the brewing process, waiting 10 years, until 1769, when his first shipment of Guinness left Ireland for England. And so, the story of one of Ireland’s biggest exports began.
In 1803, Arthur Guinness passed away, leaving his son, Arthur Guinness II, to take over the Guinness brewery.
While Guinness is well-known for its distinctive taste, it’s also easy to identify, thanks to the harp logo, which was registered as a trademark in 1876. Soon after, the brewery doubled in size, which saw operations expanded to north of the river Liffey, with the new site including an impressive internal railway system.
Throughout the years, Guinness has seen sales rise and decline, but all the while it has remained as one of the most well-known names in the alcoholic beverage industry. Today, Guinness owns 5 breweries, found in 5 countries around the world, with 10 million glasses of Guinness sold all over the globe, every single day.
Location of St. James’ Gate
The Guinness Storehouse is in Dublin 8, on the southside of the river Liffey and just a short walk from well-known spots such as St. Patrick’s Cathedral and Christchurch Cathedral.
From our Dublin Airport hotel, the storehouse is about 60 minutes by public transport, 25 minutes by car or 35 minutes by bicycle. The cycle starts through Santry Demesne then passes Albert College Park before crossing by the National Botanic Gardens. There is a bike lane for a lot of the journey.
If you’re travelling from our Blanchardstown hotel. It will take 45 minutes on public transport, or 20 minutes by private car or taxi. If you cycle, it is a little further, but you can travel through the Phoenix Park. Home of the President of Ireland, the US ambassador’s residence and Dublin Zoo.
If you are planning to drive to this visitor attraction, then you can find (limited) free Guinness Storehouse parking on Crane Street, which is a 5-minute walk from the Guinness Storehouse itself. Alternatively, you can park in a nearby paid car park, such as Thomas St. Car Park (an 8-minute walk away), Q-Park at Four Courts (a 14-minute walk away), or Q-Park Christchurch (a 17-minute walk away).
Opening Hours
The Guinness Storehouse opening hours are Monday to Friday from 10am – 7pm (with last admission at 5pm), Saturday from 9:30am – 8pm (with last admission at 6pm) and Sunday from 10am – 7pm (with last admission at 5pm).
Tickets
With the Guinness Storehouse being Ireland’s most visited tourist attraction, it should come as no surprise that we recommend buying your Guinness Storehouse tour tickets in advance. Buying in advance will allow you to avoid the queues when you arrive, and (most importantly) the online booking engine will show you what times are quieter on any given day, should you wish to try and avoid the crowds.
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How to save money on Guinness Storehouse Tickets
If you are hoping to save a few euros on your Guinness Storehouse tickets, then you can do so by buying the Go City Dublin Pass. This allows you to visit many Dublin tourist attractions, over several days.
Not sure what else to do on your Holiday in Ireland? We’ve curated the 12 best spots to visit whilst you are in Dublin. If you prefer to shop ‘til you drop, why not find the best places to shop in Dublin.
Tours
You’ll be happy to hear that there are a few different Guinness experience options to choose from. What is there to see and do within the seven floors of the Guinness Storehouse? With so much to explore, we recommend that you your time, so you don’t miss a single thing! Here are some of our favourite parts.
Guinness Storehouse Experience (self-guided tour)
By far the most popular of all the tours, the Guinness Storehouse experience allows you to explore the seven floors of the storehouse, before finishing it off with a complementary pint of Guinness in the famous Gravity Bar. For international travellers coming to holiday in Ireland, the tour is available in several languages.
This is the basic self-guided Storehouse experience, perfect for those interested in the brewing heritage of the famous creamy pint. You will see the full
STOUTie Experience
Ever had your face printed onto a creamy Guinness head? Well with the STOUTie Experience you can do just that. This tour also includes your self-guided tour of the storehouse, plus your selfie printed onto a free pint of that famous stout once you reach the 4th floor.
The GUINNESS STOREHOUSE STOUTie
Guinness Academy Experience
The Guinness Academy is nestled into the fourth floor and is great fun while also a little challenging. You will learn how to pour a pint of plain from one of the professionals. After learning these lifelong skills, you will become officially certified! Now that is something to brag about to your friends.
Connoisseur Experience
For the real Guinness fanatic, there is no better way to spend your time at the Guinness Storehouse than the Connoisseur Experience. As the name suggests, this tour will allow you to experience an exclusive Guinness tasting session, hosted within the secret Connoisseur Bar. As part of a small group, you will be guided through the history of Guinness, finished off with pouring your own pint of the black stuff.
Learn about the story of Guinness
On the ground floor, you will be transported back in time as you learn all about the history of Guinness. With flowing waters and a strong aroma of hops and barley, it really is a treat for the senses. As you roam through the exhibitions, you will see the marketing tactics that proved to be ahead of their time in the brewing industry.
As you continue up the levels, you learn more about the artful brewing process employed by the Guinness family over 250 years ago in 1759. As if you need any more travel inspiration, you get a tasting experience in every tour at the half way stage.
The Gravity Bar
The top floor of the Guinness Storehouse is the end of this popular attraction, but don’t fret. In this stunning bar, you receive your complimentary pint of Guinness, alternatively you can have one of the other iconic beers in the range, or a soft drink. This rooftop bar is included in every available experience to visitors.
Not only will you have a perfect pint in this bar, you’ll also have a perfect look out from the 360 degree windows. Each window has information about the sites you see in the panoramic views from the Guinness brewery. You’ll walk in the steps of royalty, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip are one of the many famous overseas visitors to the black gates.
The Wrap Up
When you plan a holiday to Ireland, you cannot miss the Guinness Storehouse. With seven floors of history, dating back to the 18th century you are sure to discover Dublin in a way that you never have before. Whether you are a local, or you are visiting on holiday.
Discovering Dublin has never been easier with Crowne Plaza Hotels. Choose from one of our packages and get to know Dublin on your terms. Whether it’s sipping on a distinctive stout in one of the many bars around the city center or taking in the unrivaled 360-degree views of the city a stay in the Crowne Plaza is the perfect start to your vacation.
Frequently asked questions about the Guinness Storehouse
With over 24 million visitors, we know that some questions may be asked again…and again…. So we have compiled some commonly asked questions about the storehouse.
How long is the tour Guinness Storehouse tour?
Allow at least 90 minutes to explore the Guinness Storehouse with the self-guided experience. However, as the tour is self-guided, you can take it at your own pace and spend as much time as you wish.
If you have booked the STOUTie or the Academy experiences, you should add another half hour for each experience. The Connoisseur Experience will add around another 1 hour and 15 minutes to your tour.
When did the Guinness Storehouse open?
The storehouse opened in November 2000, and since then has welcomed over 24 million visitors.
How to get to Guiness Storehouse from City Centre?
The Storehouse is a stop on the Hop On, Hop Off tours in Dublin. Located in the Liberties, about 2km from the Temple Bar, it is quite walkable. Public transport is available,
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