Unique interpretive centre opens where the Guinness brew began
THE life and times of Arthur Guinness, founder of the world famous brewing dynasty has been preserved in a new interpretive centre, opened recently not far from his tomb in County Kildare, Ireland.
Among the interpretive panels in the exhibition is a depiction of the tomb of Arthur Guinness in Oughterard Graveyard near Ardclough, County Kildare, Ireland
While the famous Guinness Stout has been brewed for centuries in St James’s Gate, Dublin, Ireland, the ‘Black Stuff’s’ roots were planted even earlier in the likely birthplace of Arthur, the County Kildare village of Ardclough in the rich land of the River Liffey basin.
The new interpretive centre at Ardclough Community Centre, opened by Ireland’s European Commissioner for Trade Phil Hogan is an integral exhibition along what is known as the Arthur’s Way Heritage Trail, taking in the River Liffey and the Grand Canal.
Guinness Storehouse Managing Director Paul Carty left, Aine Mangan of Kildare Failte, Ireland and historian Eoghan Corry at the opening of the Arthur Guinness exhibition
“It is fantastic to see Ireland’s most iconic brand brought home to the rural community where the Guinness story began,” said Commissioner Phil Hogan when he opened the exhibition and unique interpretive centre. “It is a source of great pride that the Guinness brand was built with malting barley from the rich alluvial plains of the Liffey basin and of course, the connection with the farmers of Kildare is as strong today as it was in the 1750s. The Arthur’s Grave Centre is a tremendous tourist experience. I would encourage anyone to pay a visit and I wish success to all involved in this great venture.”
The Arthur’s Grave Exhibition takes visitors ‘From Malt to Vault’ inside the new interpretive centre with support from national and local funding. While a series of colourful panels along with interactive stations tells the story of Arthur Guinness, the evolution of the Irish brewing industry is also highlighted in rich detail.
One of Arthur Guinness’s descendants, Marina Guinness left was at the opening of the new interpretive centre in Ardclough, County Kildare, Ireland along with Jacqui McNabb, Kildare Enterprise Centre
With just £100 Irish granted in a bequest from the Archbishop of Cashel, Arthur as a young man founded the brewing dynasty near his likely birthplace in Ardclough, first in Celbridge, County Kildare, Ireland and then in nearby Leixlip before moving finally to Dublin, where the brewery has been for 260 years.
European Commissioner for Trade Phil Hogan, who opened the exhibition was flanked by John Whelan, Arthur Guinness Interpretive Centre Project Leader left, and Chairperson John Griffin
Marina Guinness, who was at the unique interpretive centre’s opening spoke about her famous forebear saying, “His burial place is an ancient site. The graveyard is maintained by volunteers and I am proud of its connection to my family.”
The exhibition explores the Sixth Century graveyard and its ruined castle, round tower and Guinness family tombs with highlights from the Arthurs’ Way Heritage Trail from tomb to the commemorative statue by sculptor Jarlath Daly and onward to the second of two brewing sites in County Kildare, Ireland while upcoming developments at the new interpretive centre include a centre for the arts and a café.
Guinness Brewery founder Arthur Guinness, the subject of a new interpretive centre that has opened in rural County Kildare, Ireland, 260 years after it all began
“Ardclough, a vibrant and active community is very proud of its history with perhaps the most famous Irishman of all,” said Interpretive Centre Chairperson John Griffin. “With this new centre we can now look forward to sharing our story.”
For opening times and private party tours send an email to ardcloughvc@gmail.com.
The exhibition in Ardclough Village Centre is located at GPS W23HR68.
