Visiting the Guinness Archives in Dublin
While in Ireland awaiting the wedding that spawned Pints and Power we had the opportunity to spend a few hours digging deep into the Archives at the Guinness Storehouse. Here's the story about the visit.
If you’ve ever visited the Guinness Storehouse at St. James’s Gate, you know the drill—queues of eager pilgrims, each waiting for their sacred time slot. But on a recent Monday in Dublin, Lisa and I skipped the line entirely. Our secret? We weren’t there for the tour. We were there to dig deeper: to explore the primary sources tucked away in the Guinness Archives.
Ushered in through a quiet back entrance, we checked in a full half-hour early and were happy to wait. I’d discovered the existence of the Guinness Archives early in my research for Pints and Power. While the Storehouse website proudly promotes them, I wasn’t sure if access was only for “professionals.” Still, curiosity (and a bit of nerve) led me to request an appointment. To my surprise and delight, Eibhlin Colgan, Archive and Heritage Manager, replied while we were in Cork—she could fit us in on Monday.
Eibhlin greeted us warmly and led us up the back stairs—past the crowds and into the grand, rarely-seen hall above the Storehouse. She pointed out “the largest sign in the entire space is likely the least seen”—the entrance to the Archives themselves.
Inside, the research room was bright and welcoming. A large table waited with the trove of resources I’d requested. To one side, display cases showcased iconic Guinness memorabilia; windows framed views of the brewery complex. Bookshelves lined the walls, filled with volumes on Guinness, Dublin, and Irish history—many familiar, many more to add to my reading list.
Inside the Guinness Archive browsing room.
After settling in, Eibhlin walked us through the materials, asked about the book, and we chatted about how I could use and reference the information. Throughout this project, I’ve tried to treat my sources—and the people behind them—with respect and professionalism. The Archives were no exception.
Left to our own devices, Lisa dove into journals about the Guinness World Travelers of the early 20th century, while I poured over documents on how Guinness responded to the 1916 Rising—referred to at the time as the “Sinn Féin Rebellion.” We found nuggets that confirmed some of my hunches, challenged others, and brought the past to life in ways no secondary source could.
Among the treasures: two first-hand accounts from the 1966 commemoration of the Rising. One, a letter to Lady Guinness, captured the fear and uncertainty of those outside the action. The other, a day-by-day journal by brewer E.L. Phillips, offered a rare glimpse inside the brewery during those turbulent days.
File folders containing Guinness documents and records at our disposal allowing us to hear from the voices of the past putting true context to our Pints and Power journey.
After two and a half hours of reading, note-taking, and wide-eyed wonder, Eibhlin returned. We wrapped up by sharing more about our respective projects, and I left a signed, numbered copy of First Pour Early Release for the Archives—a small gesture of thanks.
Mike with Eibhlin Colgan of the Guinness Archives, presenting a copy of The First Pour Early Release of Pints and Power
As Lisa and I made our way out (with a few souvenirs, of course), we felt a deep sense of gratitude—for the access, the welcome, and the vital work the Archives team does to preserve Guinness’s story for future generations.
Many thanks to Eibhlin and the entire staff of the Archives, not only for granting us the opportunity to visit, but for the important and critical work they are doing every day to preserve the history of Guinness and its place in the world ensuring that I and others like me will continue to gain invaluable insight that our own 21st century lenses often obscure.
If you’re a researcher, historian, or just a Guinness devotee, the Guinness Archives are open by appointment, Monday to Friday, 9:30am–5pm. You can reach Eibhlin and the team by email to guinness.archives@diageo.com or telephone at +353 1 471 4557.
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