Ireland’s brewing story has always been larger than life, but thanks to Netflix’s “House of Guinness,” it now has a new audience and a new way to experience it. Two of Ireland’s most storied hotels, Cashel Palace and The Merrion, are joining forces to unveil Houses of Guinness: A Grand Irish Adventure, a four-night luxury journey that brings the real history behind the drama to life.
From Tipperary’s rolling fields to Dublin’s grand streets, this journey pours new life into Ireland’s Guinness legacy. Photo credit: Cashel Palace.
The experience begins in Tipperary, at Cashel Palace. I stayed at this historic five-star property in October and immediately understood why the Guinness journey starts here. The morning air carried the scent of rain and earth, and as the fog lifted, the Rock of Cashel rose against a pewter sky. This is the Ireland that “House of Guinness” only hints at: elegant, pastoral and steeped in history.
Cashel Palace: The Godfather of Guinness
In the quiet heart of Tipperary, Cashel Palace marks the true beginning of the Guinness story. Long before St. James’ Gate became a global icon, Archbishop Arthur Price, known as the Godfather of Guinness, employed a young man named Arthur Guinness. Price left him a small legacy upon his death, and with it, Guinness brewed his first ambitions into history.
Walking the grounds at Cashel Palace feels like stepping back in time. The building’s red-brick Georgian facade faces rolling pastures and stone walls that seem unchanged over the centuries. Guests can follow the same path of discovery on the hotel’s Godfather of Guinness heritage walk, winding through old hop gardens before culminating at the Rock of Cashel, where medieval towers overlook the town. Later, a stout and oysters tasting with a local historian brings the story full circle and offers a toast to Price’s legacy and Guinness’ enduring vision.
Inside the palace’s Guinness Bar, deep wood tones and brass accents set the stage for another chapter of the journey. With a perfectly poured pint in hand, it’s easy to imagine the first spark of an idea that would travel from this pastoral corner of Ireland to the world beyond. And when the day ends, Cashel Palace’s Michelin-recognized dining reminds guests that tradition and innovation still share the same table.
From Tipperary to Dublin: Following the Guinness trail
Leaving Cashel feels a bit like turning a page. The winding drive north to Dublin carries you from open fields and quiet lanes into the busy urban center, where the story of Guinness shifts from countryside beginnings to urban legacy. The new Houses of Guinness: A Grand Irish Adventure itinerary captures that transition perfectly with a journey that traces Guinness’ own path from Tipperary’s green pastures to the capital’s bustling heart.
In Dublin, guests check in at The Merrion, a collection of Georgian townhouses that now house one of Ireland’s most refined five-star hotels. Just steps from St. James’ Gate, it’s the ideal finale to a story centuries in the making. Here, travelers enjoy a private VIP tour of the Guinness Storehouse, including the coveted Connoisseur Bar experience, where a beer specialist guides them through the art of pouring the perfect pint.
Those who want to dive even deeper can add a private visit to Farmleigh Estate, the Guinness family’s former residence in Dublin. The estate’s ornate interiors and parkland trails offer a glimpse into how the dynasty lived once its fortunes had fully taken shape.
A toast to Ireland’s living legacy
This journey weaves together history, storytelling and modern hospitality. “House of Guinness” brought Ireland’s brewing dynasty to the screen, but this itinerary lets travelers walk straight into the story itself. From the gardens of Cashel Palace to the cobblestones near St. James’ Gate, the past feels tangible.
For me, the lasting memory was the sense of continuity that lingers in Cashel. Standing on the palace grounds, with the Rock of Cashel rising above the town, it’s easy to imagine how one man’s vision grew into a legacy that would span centuries. The Houses of Guinness experience captures that feeling, not through spectacle, but through the quiet moments where history and place connect.
Available from October 2025 through February 2026, this four-night journey invites travelers to raise a glass to Ireland’s enduring spirit. It’s a toast to craftsmanship, to storytelling and to the places where the Guinness name began.
Jennifer Allen is a retired chef turned traveler, cookbook author and nationally syndicated journalist; she’s also a co-founder of Food Drink Life, where she shares expert travel tips, cruise insights and luxury destination guides. A recognized cruise expert with a deep passion for high-end experiences and off-the-beaten-path destinations, Jennifer explores the world with curiosity, depth and a storyteller’s perspective. Her articles are regularly featured on the Associated Press Wire, The Washington Post, Seattle Times, MSN and more.
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