House of Guinness Filming Locations

House of Guinness Filming Locations — Visit the Real Irish Inspirations

When House of Guinness premiered, fans were captivated by its sweeping period drama and lush Irish storytelling. But there was one surprise — most of it wasn’t filmed in Ireland at all.

While the series tells the story of Ireland’s most famous brewing dynasty, production mostly took place in England and Wales, where preserved Georgian and Victorian architecture could more easily stand in for 19th-century Dublin and the Guinness estates.

Yet for those inspired to experience the real places behind the story, Ireland offers something far richer — authentic heritage, breathtaking landscapes, and the true Guinness legacy that can still be explored today.

Why Most Filming Wasn’t Done in Ireland

Modern Ireland has transformed dramatically since the 1800s. Many Dublin streets, towns, and estates no longer look as they did during the Guinness family’s rise. Filmmakers often turn to the UK for period pieces, thanks to historic architecture, studio infrastructure, and tax incentives.

To recreate Ireland’s story, House of Guinness used:

• Liverpool’s Stanley Dock and St George’s Hall for brewery and civic scenes

• Stockport (Manchester) for Dublin street scenes

• Penrhyn Castle, Wales to depict Ashford Castle in County Mayo

But the real places — from Ashford Castle to St. James’s Gate — remain very much alive and open to explore.

Courtesy Búlabosca Films for Ashford Castle

Discover the Real Guinness Landmarks in Ireland

Ashford Castle, Cong, County Mayo

While House of Guinness filmed its castle scenes at Penrhyn Castle in Wales, the real-life home of the Guinness family is the magnificent Ashford Castle in Cong, County Mayo.

Purchased by Sir Benjamin Lee Guinness in 1852, Ashford Castle became the Guinness family’s grand estate in the west of Ireland. Today, it stands as one of Ireland’s most luxurious five-star resorts, part of the Red Carnation Hotel Collection.

Ashford Castle has won multiple global awards, including Condé Nast Traveler’s Best Hotel in the World and Travel + Leisure’s Top Resort in Europe. Visitors can explore its 350-acre estate, dine in fine restaurants, or enjoy boating, falconry, and lakeside walks on Lough Corrib.

“To walk the halls of Ashford Castle is to step through living Irish history — where grandeur meets the warmth of Mayo’s countryside.”

Photo source: Visit Galway

Cloonboo / Cluain Bú, County Galway

In House of Guinness, Cloonboo is shown as a rural village within the Guinness estates, located in County Galway. While the real Cloonboo exists near Headford, filming actually took place in Snowdonia, Wales.

Still, the Irish west captures that same spirit. Travelling through rural Galway, you’ll find the stone walls, winding roads, and timeless scenery that inspired the story’s setting. Visit nearby Headford or Cong to experience the heart of the region and the landscapes that shaped the Guinness family’s rural heritage.

Guinness Storehouse & St. James’s Gate, Dublin

The beating heart of Guinness remains at St. James’s Gate Brewery in Dublin — where Arthur Guinness signed his famous 9,000-year lease in 1759.

While the show’s brewery scenes were recreated in Liverpool, the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin brings the real story to life. Visitors can explore interactive exhibits on brewing, history, and branding before enjoying a pint in the Gravity Bar with panoramic city views.

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Nearby, Iveagh House on St. Stephen’s Green — now home to Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs — was once the Guinness family’s Dublin mansion. Though not used in filming, it’s a tangible link to the family’s urban legacy.

Other Guinness Estates in Ireland

Beyond Ashford Castle, the Guinness family owned extensive lands across the west of Ireland. According to the Landed Estates Database, Sir Benjamin Lee Guinness acquired vast holdings in Cong, Doon, and Connemara.

Another key property, Farmleigh House in Castleknock, Dublin, was once owned by the Guinness family and is now a state guesthouse and public heritage site. Visitors can tour its stately rooms and gardens — a glimpse into the refined world of the Guinness dynasty.

Suggested Itinerary: A Guinness Heritage & Film Trail

If you’re planning to follow in the footsteps of the Guinness story, here’s a two-day itinerary that ties in real Guinness heritage with famous Irish film sites.

Day 1: Dublin – The Heart of Guinness

• Visit the Guinness Storehouse and enjoy a pint in the Gravity Bar.

• Stroll through the Iveagh Gardens — a hidden gem once part of the Guinness estate, gifted to the public by the family. These serene gardens feature waterfalls, fountains, and Victorian design. Learn more at iveaghgardens.ie.

• Stop by Iveagh House on St. Stephen’s Green.

• Explore Farmleigh House & Gardens in Phoenix Park, once a Guinness residence and now a state guesthouse.

Day 2: Head West to Galway & Mayo

• Drive to Cloonboo, County Galway — stop for a pint at Regan’s of Cloonboo and soak in the village atmosphere.

• Continue to Cong, County Mayo — explore the charming village that inspired The Quiet Man (filmed here in 1951) and its museum dedicated to the classic film.

• Visit Ashford Castle, one of the world’s top five-star resorts and the former Guinness family home.

• Stroll along Lough Corrib or take a boat tour from Cong Pier for breathtaking views of Mayo’s lakes and woodlands.

Although House of Guinness was filmed mainly in the UK, it beautifully recreated the real Irish locations that shaped the Guinness legacy — Iveagh House and Iveagh Gardens in Dublin, Ashford Castle in Mayo, Cloonboo in Galway, and the Guinness Storehouse at St. James’s Gate.

To truly experience the story, follow it home — to the west of Ireland, where the Guinness name began its journey from local brewer to global legend.

See the real places, raise a glass where it all started, and head west.

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