House of Guinness Series-Premiere Recap: First Round

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May 27, 1868 marks the funeral of Benjamin Guinness, and it’s far from a somber occasion. As the grandson of Arthur Guinness, the founder of the famous Dublin brewery at St. James’s Gate, and the man who became Ireland’s wealthiest citizen, Benjamin led an extraordinary life. He was also Lord Mayor of Dublin and personally funded the restoration of St. Patrick’s Cathedral. However, the start of the miniseries *House of Guinness*, created by Steven Knight, suggests that getting Benjamin to his final resting place won’t be straightforward.

Two opposing crowds will be present when Benjamin Guinness’s coffin leaves the brewery. On one side are members of the Temperance movement, who strongly disapproved of the Guinness family. On the other side are the Fenians, a radical group fighting for Irish independence. While Guinness was famous for his beer, he was also a supporter of British rule and a Protestant, making him a target for the Fenians. As one Fenian activist, Patrick Cochrane, explains, Guinness’s business contributed to the suffering of the Irish people under British control, so a peaceful burial isn’t possible. Luckily, Sean Rafferty, a resourceful man who often helps the Guinness family, has a plan. He suggests that Guinness’s workers should arm themselves and escort the coffin through the streets to ensure a burial can take place.

How much of this story is actually true? It’s wise to remember the show’s opening statement: “This fiction is inspired by true stories.” Historical accounts, like one in the Dublin newspaper *Freeman’s Journal*, paint a very positive picture of Guinness, describing him as a respected and well-loved man whose funeral drew large crowds from all walks of life. However, that doesn’t necessarily make for exciting television. Plus, newspapers aren’t always completely accurate, and the Guinness story is intertwined with the complex and often contentious political climate of Ireland at the time. The show clearly signals it’s more about building a compelling narrative than strict historical accuracy – it’s about creating and embellishing the legend. So, it’s probably best to simply enjoy the story for what it is.

As unrest bubbles in the streets, Benjamin’s children share a subdued moment while preparing for their father’s funeral. Edward struggles with his tie, playfully teasing his brother Arthur about feeling disconnected from his Irish roots. Their sister, Anne, fixes Edward’s tie but doesn’t ease the tension, quietly listening as Arthur cynically assumes anyone outside the family who cries at the funeral will be acting for attention. Meanwhile, their youngest brother, Benjamin, remains asleep, still recovering from the night before. Despite their current state, this family holds significant power in Ireland, proving that family dynamics can be complex and unexpected.

John Potter, a loyal employee of the Guinness family, arrives with some news that doesn’t seem to concern him much. He explains that the funeral might be postponed due to the huge number of people wanting to pay their respects. He’s being upfront about the situation, detailing the potential issues with both the Fenians and the Evangelists. Anne is confident that Rafferty will manage everything, which leads to a playful comment about how he inspires passion in others. John realizes, or at least suspects, that Anne’s feelings for Rafferty go beyond simply admiring his competence.

Just before waking their brother Benjamin, the siblings agreed to present a united front, but that didn’t last long. Benjamin really didn’t want to be woken up, especially not with a splash of cold water. Anne playfully suggested a duel to settle the squabble between Benjamin and Arthur, though it wasn’t entirely a joke. She insisted they needed to leave as a respectable family, admitting they were “civilized in their own way.” Despite the tension, she managed to get them to hold hands and say a quick prayer, leaving a glimmer of hope that the day might actually go smoothly.

Despite some chaos and fighting along the way, Rafferty manages to get Benjamin’s body to the church in one piece, though a little late. They arrive at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, a place that was important to Benjamin, and where he’s remembered for being kind to his employees-he actually asked them not to talk about religion or politics-as well as for his political work and love for his family.

Everything appears calm on the surface, but beneath it, the Fenians are looking for ways to gain power from the current instability. Patrick, injured in a fight, impulsively wants to sabotage Guinness by burning all the empty bottles. However, his sister Ellen, a leader within the Irish Republican Brotherhood, believes a more strategic approach is needed. She argues that cutting off Dublin’s beer supply would turn the city *against* them. Ellen points out that while Benjamin Guinness was a respected figure, his children are vulnerable. They have secrets, and they aren’t careful about keeping them – Ellen has sources, like maids, who have overheard quite a bit. She believes she can use this information to control the Guinness family and achieve their goals.

Ellen is right to question the younger generation’s judgment. When Anne, who is married to the older Reverend William Plunket (played by Tim Creed), meets Rafferty to pay him for security, she surprisingly brings Potter along. Though Potter can’t hear their conversation about Anne’s past with Rafferty – a relationship that went too far, and in which he plays multiple roles for the family – it’s obvious he suspects something is happening. Furthermore, Anne doesn’t seem genuinely remorseful; she allows Rafferty to get close and even engages in suggestive conversation with him.

Despite still being away, Anne arrives back at the funeral reception just as Aunt Agnes (Dervia Kirwan) shows up. Agnes immediately starts to criticize Arthur for taking Benjamin’s place in Parliament, but Edward quickly shuts her down, pointing out she wasn’t included in Benjamin’s will, implying she wasn’t remembered favorably. Agnes responds with a cryptic reference to Irish mythology, saying she hopes the reading of the will will reveal whether their father understood who among them was trustworthy like Ogma, and who was unreliable like Dagda. Arthur, seemingly disconnected from his Irish heritage, doesn’t understand the reference, confirming Edward’s suspicion.

The family relationships are complicated, but Edward updates Arthur on everything that happened while Arthur was away in London. Edward has been happily working at the family brewery, but it feels wrong for Arthur, as the oldest son, to inherit it. They make a deal: Edward will buy the brewery from Arthur, giving him 35% of the profits. This would allow Arthur to pursue a career in Parliament and use his position to benefit the family. It all seems logical, especially since Arthur believes their strong relationship will keep things stable. However, despite this, the arrangement feels fragile and likely to fall apart.

Despite the funeral being over, the brothers still have family matters to deal with. Their uncle, Reverend Henry Grattan Guinness, wants to talk to them, and he’s unhappy about the music and dancing that followed the service. He generally disapproves of many things, but he especially wants a promise that the brothers will continue to financially support his Harley College and its missionary work. The brothers don’t seem interested in doing so, but Anne steps in, making it clear she *does* want to be involved in Guinness’s charitable projects.

While other events are happening, Benjamin finds himself in a different kind of trouble. Kind Lady Christine has given him a pistol, worried he might harm himself, but she secretly removed the bullets. However, Christine is a bit eccentric. Benjamin owes a large sum of money – £170 – to Bonnie Champion, a dangerous man who works for her family but also runs an illegal gambling business. Benjamin’s gambling habit has gotten him into this debt, and in 1860s Dublin, that much money could easily lead to a grim fate. Christine offers a solution: she’ll marry him and pay off his debts if he stops his self-destructive behavior. She’s mainly referring to his drinking, but she suspects his problems run deeper. Benjamin’s response – “I am the madness” – doesn’t exactly improve the situation.

Ellen needs to talk to Bonnie Champion, which sends her to the docks. The gatekeeper mistakenly thinks she’s there to apply for a job at one of Bonnie’s brothels – a misunderstanding he won’t repeat. Bonnie recognizes Ellen and is cautious about her motives, but her proposal is tempting: she’ll trade secrets about the Guinness family for a year-long exemption from the 10% tax Bonnie pays to the Fenian Brotherhood. Bonnie quickly reveals information. Not only does Benjamin owe him a lot of money, but he also gets betting advice from supernatural sources – fairies, spirits, and voices in his head. So why hasn’t Bonnie had Benjamin eliminated? Despite being intimidating, Bonnie fears an even more dangerous man: Rafferty. Before leaving, Ellen makes it clear that while Benjamin’s secrets are useful, she’s truly interested in learning what Arthur is hiding.

Ellen follows through with her plan, and her brother does too. On the day of Benjamin Guinness’s funeral, a group of Fenians set fire to the barrels at the cooperage, creating a dramatic scene. Rafferty takes charge of fighting the fire, working alongside Bonnie. Bonnie mentions a distraught and confused secretary who works at the wharf, and just then, Rafferty spots Ellen in the distance through the smoke.

As the episode ends, Christine leads a very drunk Benjamin away, leaving Arthur and Edward lost in thought – Arthur especially. He remarks that things will become serious tomorrow, mentioning business and politics. He also appears disheartened by love, though he doesn’t say why. Edward, however, is already making plans to import Guinness to America. When Anne arrives, she comforts Arthur, who seems to be falling asleep while saying, “Tomorrow will be a big day.” Outside, the rain puts out the fires at the cooperage, but a tense atmosphere remains.

The first episode introduces many characters and a complex setting – Dublin in 1868 – which can be a lot to follow. Luckily, the series *House of Guinness* cleverly connects the introduction of new characters to the unfolding family drama, simultaneously revealing details about the world they inhabit. The episode takes viewers from the harsh realities of Dublin’s underbelly – shown through a shocking scene of exploitation – to the exclusive world of the wealthy as they grieve a loss.

The series is bold and doesn’t shy away from dramatic storytelling, but it’s effective. It introduces fascinating ideas and engaging plotlines. Edward and Arthur have conflicting desires, and their lives are unexpectedly connected. Both Anne and Ellen are frustrated by the limited expectations placed on women. As for Benjamin, he’s a bit of a disaster, but in a way that promises to make things interesting. The show seems intent on revealing hidden parts of Guinness’s life, filling in historical gaps with imaginative storytelling.

Sláinte!

The ‘House of Guinness’ soundtrack doesn’t stick strictly to the time period of the show, but it *does* feature artists from Ireland and the Irish community around the world. The first episode includes “Starburster” by Dublin band Fontaines D.C., from their 2024 album *Romance*. It also features “Get Your Brits Out” by the Belfast hip-hop group Kneecap, known for rapping in Irish and recently the subject of a biopic, *Kneecap*. As the cooperage burns, you’ll hear Flogging Molly’s “Devil’s Dance Floor,” and Kneecap’s “H.O.O.D.” plays during the closing credits.

Anne’s interpretation of Ogma and Dagda feels a little simplified, but Irish mythology is famously intricate and often inconsistent, so she might have been focusing on a specific tale. It’s important to remember this mythology was originally passed down orally and later written down by Christians who sometimes reshaped it to fit their beliefs. Dagda is the leader of the Tuatha Dé Danann, a group of powerful, supernatural beings, and Ogma is his brother, known for inventing the Ogham alphabet. Interestingly, the group known as the Fenians are named after the legendary hero Finn.

On the same day Benjamin Guinness was buried, Michael Barrett was executed in London. He had been found guilty in connection with the 1867 Clerkenwell explosion, which tragically killed twelve people who were nearby.

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2025-09-25 11:56