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Dublin Sights

Guinness Storehouse

6 reviews | Write a review

Good for: photos, views, education, Guinness, Panoramic views of Dublin

Not good for: Maybe Non Drinkers?, Cheap Souvenirs, Non- Drinkers, Those on a tight budget

  • Address
    • St James's Gate Brewery
  • Transport
    • 21a, 51b, 78, 78a or 123 from Fleet St
    • St James's
  • Website
  • Price
    • admission €15/11, under 6yr free, discounts apply for online bookings
  • Hours
    • 9.30am-5pm Sep-Jun, 9.30am-7pm Jul-Aug

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Lonely Planet review for Guinness Storehouse

; St James's) The most popular visit in town is the beer-lover's Disneyland, a multimedia bells-and-whistles homage to the country's most famous export and the city's most enduring symbol. The old grain storehouse, the only part of the massive, 26-hectare St James's Gate Brewery open to the public, is a suitable cathedral in which to worship the black gold; shaped like a giant pint of Guinness, it rises seven impressive storeys high around a stunning central atrium. At the top is the head, represented by the Gravity Bar, with a panoramic view of Dublin.

From the time Arthur Guinness (1725–1803) founded the brewery in 1759, the operation has expanded down to the Liffey and across both sides of the street; at one point, it had its own railway and there was a giant gate stretching across St James's St, hence the brewery's proper name. At its apogee in the 1930s, it employed over 5000 workers, making it the largest employer in the city. Increased automation has reduced the workforce to around 600, but it still produces 2.5 million pints of stout every day.

You'll get to drink one of those pints at the end of your tour, but not before you have walked through the extravaganza that is the Guinness floor show, spread across 1.6 hectares and involving an array of audiovisual, interactive displays that cover pretty much all aspects of the brewery's history and the brewing process. It's slick and sophisticated, but you can't ignore the man behind the curtain: the extensive exhibit on the company's incredibly successful history of advertising is a reminder that for all the talk of mysticism and magic, it's all really about marketing and manipulation.

The point is made deliciously moot when you finally get a pint in your hand and let the cream pass your lips in the vertiginous heights of the Gravity Bar. It's the best pint of Guinness in the world, claim the cognoscenti (while there's no arguing with how good it tastes, give us a pint among friends in a spit-and-sawdust pub closer to the ground any day of the week).

Around the corner at 1 Thomas St a plaque marks the house where Arthur Guinness lived. In a yard across the road stands St Patrick's Tower, Europe's tallest smock windmill (with a revolving top), which was built around 1757.

 

Traveller reviews for Guinness Storehouse (6)

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    I was a bit disappointed ...

    grannypetz recommends this,

    ... that you cannot see the real production rooms where the Guinness is made. It is an artificial exhibition in an old brewery building. Though the process is described well. The highlight is the bar on the roof top with an amazing view over the city and a free pint of Guinness

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    most fun ever! even if you don't like beer!

    anniecoyle recommends this,

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    Number 1 destination in Dublin to see!

    dinoo1898 recommends this,

    After an amazing tour trough whole production process you'll experience beautiful Dublin sightseeing from the top of the storehouse where you'll be served with a pint of Guinness.

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    Has to be one of the very best experiences in Europe.

    dublin1 recommends this,

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    As a Dubliner I can't believe the Guinness Tour ranks only 126th place of things to do in Europe.
    Brian.

    Good for: photos

    Not good for: Maybe Non Drinkers?

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    A great experience for all - must see attration in Dublin.

    lydmae recommends this,

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    This is brilliant for all types of people of all ages. It is educational and interesting and a really authentic feeling experience. It is also the place where you can get your token shots of your visit to Dublin - the Guinness Gates and the Waterfall (see attached).
    Of course once you have worked your way up the several floors, looked at all the history, processes, advertising campaigns and had a taste of the stuff, you will be thirsty - which is why reaching the top of the tower and claiming your pint of Guiness can be very rewarding! However, I then found out I was not a particular fan of the stuff! Oh well, it was worth a try! I did notice that many people spent a good few hours up in the bar, and were pretty merry (perhaps the altitude helped as well!) so it would be a good place to go to start a night out. It was a great panoramic view of Dublin at the top and a lot of photo oportunities, like the Eiffel Tower of Dublin ;o)

    Good for: views, education, Guinness, Panoramic views of Dublin, Photo Opportunity

    Not good for: Cheap Souvenirs, Non- Drinkers

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    Worth it for the pint at the top alone

    ryanoscerous recommends this,

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    The Guinness Factory is very entertaining. Learnt a bit, a lot of fun looking exhibits.
    It is very slick. It lacks that 'raw' 'brewery-type' feel. All shiny surfaces and polished perspex. And the price does seem on the steep side.
    All is forgiven when you get to the top however. The Guinness tastes fantastic, and the view over the city is equally as good.

    Good for: beer lovers

    Not good for: Those on a tight budget

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