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Irish Daily Mirror
20-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
Guinness Storehouse visit is the best day out in Dublin bar none
I recently came across something more rare than the recent good weather we've been enjoying here — not one, not two, but THREE Irish adults who had never done a tour of the Guinness Storehouse. This is an experience I assumed every Irish person of a certain age has done at least once before so it was a shock — and, as it happens, a welcome surprise in the end — to find someone who had never been before. This gave me the perfect excuse to visit the Storehouse, and enjoy new additions — like the STOUTie Experience — which have been added since my last visit as well as take in the experience with fresh eyes, courtesy of my friend who was popping his Storehouse cherry. READ MORE: The Club House Hotel is like stepping through the wardrobe at Narnia READ MORE: Europe's cheapest city breaks where a 3 course meal with wine costs just €27 For me, this has always been the best day out in Dublin — indeed it was named World's Leading Beer Tour Visitor Attraction 2024 and the World's Leading Tourist Attraction 2023 — and so it never surprises me to see queues outside the famous gates as hordes of tourists fill the premises at St. James's Gate in Dublin 8. And on this particular Saturday, a sunny afternoon in mid-July, the Storehouse was busier than I had ever seen it before, with a great buzz about the place as tourists from all over (though you'll hear American accents at every turn!) experienced the history, heart, and soul of Ireland's most iconic beer. The Storehouse is built over seven floors, which wind around a glass atrium that is shaped in the form of a pint of Guinness — don't forget to look up when you're starting your tour to see the iconic Guinness-shaped glass. Visual representations of how the brewing process works You can tour the Storehouse yourself or take a guided tour — having done both, I'd recommend doing a self-guided tour which gives you plenty of time to take in the experience at your leisure while still enjoying the behind-the-scenes look at the craft of brewing a perfect pint, with incredible visual representations of the process that will leave you enthralled. But the Storehouse is also about so much more than just the brewing, you'll also explore an exhibition and cinema room dedicated to vintage Guinness advertising — 'My Goodness, my Guinness' is the one I grew up with while my granny always reeled off the 'Guinness is good for you' as she downed another glass of the black stuff — read stories about staff who have worked in Guinness over the years as well as locals who remember the earlier days of the factory, which dates back over 265 years. This experience is truly all immersive, and that's before you even get into the more tailored packages Guinness has introduced over recent years. So while visitors may be eager to get to the famous Gravity Bar on the seventh floor, to enjoy unparalleled panoramic 360 degree views of Dublin city, don't be in a rush — there is so much to see and do here. On top of the standard experience, guests can — and should — partake in the Academy experience, where you'll learn how to pour the perfect pint of Guinness and even leave with your very own certificate to print off when you get home. And you'll have to forgive me for bragging, but we nailed this part of the tour and I WILL be proudly displaying my certificate at home. We were joined in our 'class' by a group of excitable Americans who really livened up our day as we guzzled down the fruits of our labour. The STOUTie experience is a must The best part of the day, though, for me was the STOUTie experience. For just €8, you can have your picture taken and then observe, and film for that all-important Instagram story, as your image is etched onto the head of a perfectly-poured pint of Guinness. I've never been much of a Guinness drinker — in fact, I've only ever tried one pint before, in the Gravity Bar no less — but the pint in the STOUTie experience was far nicer than I remember the Black stuff being. My friend, who is a Guinness drinker, commented that it was the best pint he'd ever had. We didn't do it on this visit but you can also do the Guinness Brewery Experience, where visitors can journey through the working brewery itself as well as the tunnels underground. Or try the Connoisseur Experience as a Guinness beer specialist will reveal the nuances, distinct aromas and flavours of famous Guinness varieties before letting you taste them all for yourself. In between all this, there's also the coffee shop on the first floor to take a breather, gift shop to take home some precious mementos from your visit as well as 1837 Bar & Brasserie, the restaurant you don't want to not visit! I've eaten here once before — during the, whisper it, pandemic — but there is a new menu that I think is even better than the previous one. And the cocktails? Sublime! We tucked into a 10oz ribeye with Roe & Co. pepper sauce and chunky chips and a grilled chicken Caesar salad with pancetta and it was all absolutely delicious — and washed down with another creamy pint in the Gravity Bar. The food and cocktails at 1837 Brasserie & Bar is delicious It may have been surprising to find an adult who hasn't enjoyed this experience before, but one thing's for sure, it's not surprising that this is still the best day out in Dublin for adults. Bravo Guinness! BOOK IT The Guinness Storehouse opens Monday to Thursday and Sunday, 9.30am to 5pm, and Friday and Saturday 9.30am to 6pm. There are extended summer opening hours from July to September, with last entry at 6:45pm. Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here.
Irish Daily Mirror
13-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
The Club House Hotel is like stepping through the wardrobe at Narnia
'There must be something happening this weekend', I said to my friend as we pulled into Kilkenny city centre at the end of last month for an overnight break. As Ireland enjoyed a mini-heatwave during the last weekend in June, we headed for the Medieval City for a stay in the Club House Hotel ( on Lower Patrick Street, which has just unveiled 25 refurbished luxury guestrooms as part of a stunning €2.5 million renovation. This hotel dates all the way back to 1797, starting out as a local foxhunting club, before being given the title of 'hotel' in 1817. Run by Kilkenny couple, Ian Brennan and Joanna Hannick, the new wing of second generation Brennan family hotel is like stepping through the wardrobe into Narnia. While the main part of the Georgian townhouse is dated, in the best possible way as it retains all the charm and features — including stained glass windows and ornate architraves — of its 18th century origins, the refurbished rooms bring this hotel into the 21st century. The decor is modern yet warm, with striking pops of green and blue in the bedroom and bathroom. And a collection of photography by renowned artist Patrick McDonald adorns the walls, showcasing beloved Kilkenny streetscapes and landmarks. Location, location, location, though, is everything — and when it comes to the Club House, you are never more than a five-minute walk in any direction from all of the famous Kilkenny landmarks, including Kilkenny Castle and taking in Ireland's Medieval Mile, which stretches from the castle to St Canice's Cathedral. Throw a stone from the front door of the hotel and you will hit The Box Office at Zuni, a gorgeous cocktail bar where the cocktails are only matched by the soft remixed versions of all your favourite songs playing out all night. Following dinner in Victor's Bar & Restaurant in the Club House, where the friendly staff and sumptuous chocolate brownie dessert will have to fight it out for 'highlight' of our stay, pop over to The Box Office for a delicious nightcap. Owner and managing director of the Club House Ian Brennan has worked in the hotel for over 20 years and has great plans to continue the hotel's historic legacy. 'Now we are the custodians of this fabulous Georgian building, and we want to see it live on in full glory for future generations to enjoy,' he says. 'We've been helping people celebrate the important milestones for 50 years and it's our responsibility to carry on that legacy and make sure The Club House Hotel continues to be a place where memories are made and tradition lives on.' In Kilkenny, there's churches as far as the eye can see but to see all of the city St Canice's Cathedral ( is a must-visit. As well as offering a terrific guided or self-guided history tour, this cathedral boasts a round tower which is just one of a handful in Ireland which are open to the public for climbing. 121 steps takes you to the top of the 100ft tower for epic views over the entire city which was teeming with people on the weekend we visited, as an electric atmosphere filled the place. And while there is the Kilkenny Farmers Market which takes place every Saturday on The Parade, showcasing local produce from 10am to 3.30pm and which comes highly recommended, there wasn't anything out-of-the-ordinary happening, just a glorious weekend of unexpected sunshine. What's seldom is wonderful, as they say, and in Ireland, a bit of warm weather is enough to get us outdoors, enjoying the craic. And nowhere was the craic being enjoyed than at the new Valley of Roses flagship store ( on Rose Inn Street, which was officially opened just one day before our visit. The name of this store, an artisanal perfume boutique, has a double meaning. Of course, it sits nicely on the street of the same name, which is a happy coincidence, but its owner, Andriana Tsankova, is also a native of Bulgaria, which is famed for its rose water and oil. This writer has long been a fan of Bulgarian Rose, with its deep aroma perfect for perfumery while Bulgarian Rose Water, from the Rose Valley of Bulgaria, boasts anti-ageing qualities I swear by. Andriana's Valley of Roses, though, offers much more than traditional rose smells — the store offers over 400 bottled scents inspired by iconic brands. And it seems everyone in Kilkenny got the memo as the new, and might I add stunning, premises was packed throughout the day. As we enjoyed a mixology workshop, Andriana told us: 'The new premises is more than a perfume boutique, it's an experience', and she isn't wrong as together we created our very own one-of-a-kind signature scent. That was a relaxing way to spend a Saturday afternoon and in complete contrast to how we spent Sunday afternoon — whizzing over lakes on Ireland's longest zipline and navigating an aerial adventure course at Castlecomer Discovery Park ( just 20 minutes outside of Kilkenny city and little over an hour's drive from Dublin. Castlecomer is a real crowdpleaser, for all ages. Younger kids will love the Junior Woodland Adventure Course and water sports, including pedal boats and canoeing, while older teens and tweens will adore the thrilling Skywalk Challenge. Parents who aren't brave enough to try this can chill out and enjoy a bite to eat in the gorgeous courtyard and adjoining restaurant or do a bit of shopping in one of the quaint on-site shops. You could spend a full day here, no matter how active you are will to get, and not get bored. We spent five hours here and only got through The Skywalk Challenge, zipline and archery zone. Which gives us a great excuse to return to the Marble City before summer's end! – Escape to The Club House Hotel in Kilkenny. Getaways start from €127 for a single and €165 for a twin or double room per night, with air conditioning and plentiful on-site parking. For more information, see
