Memoirs of Guinness

Memoirs of Guinnes Podcasts

The Memoirs of Guinness is a series of 12 video podcasts that recount local peoples memories of the Guinness Company. The idea for this project came from a local history group, D8CEC, who along with elevate Learning @ The Digital Hub approached Diageo with a proposal to contribute to the Guinness 250 celebrations. The idea was to capture local stories and broadcast them as a series of podcasts.

Four local history groups, D8CEC, Nicholas of Myra, Dolphins Barn and Bluebell participated in the creation of the podcasts. Over 30 people received training and the podcasts are the culmination of their work. Their stories capture the influence of the Guinness Company on life in Dublin during the last century, particularly for those living in the shadows of the brewery.

Getting into Guinness - "that would be their oppurtunity to get in"

This week we look at the history of Guinness as an employer. At one stage they employed over 5,000 people in Dublin in the 1900s. Having a job in Guinness guaranteed security for you and your family. The phrase was, a job in Guinness, was from the cradle to the grave. Meaning you were looked after by the Guinness company from birth to death.

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Video Podcast - Release Date: Wed, 11 Nov 2009 13:00:00 GMT - Duration - 3:51

Guinness Buildings - "so everyone was catered for"

This week we look at Guiness and the history of the buildings that are associated with it. Apart from its extensive 64 acre brewing site, the Guinness family where renowned for their social responsibility and enterprise. Lord Iveagh setup the Iveagh Trust and was responsible for the construction and refurbishment of numerous sites in Dublin.

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Video Podcast - Release Date: Wed, 18 Nov 2009 13:00:00 GMT - Duration - 3:55

Guinness & Health - "I think here children were taken care of"

Guinness is steeped in history with its policies of social progress for its workers and their families. The workers had the chief medical officer Dr. John Lumsden to thank for many of the amenities. In 1900 he spent two months inspecting the homes of each Guinness employee. This we look at the fantastic health programme they have provided and do so to this day.

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Video Podcast - Release Date: Wed, 25 Nov 2009 13:00:00 GMT - Duration - 3:49

Guinness Ladies - "other widows would feel a little jealous"

As an experiment in October 1900, the first woman was employed in the Guinness company. The widows of the Guinness staff were well looked after and mainly employed as early morning cleaners and dining staff. They were granted this job to supplement the widows pension they received. This week we look at the history that Guinness had in employing women.

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Video Podcast - Release Date: Wed, 2 Dec 2009 13:00:00 GMT - Duration - 4:09

Guinness Smells & Sounds - "leaves swirling everywhere and that gorgeous smell"

Guinness Brewery has dominated Dublin life and invaded our nostrils since 1759. Guinness is steeped in history with its policies of social progress for its workers and their families. Locals and visitors to Dublin 8 will fondling remember the toasting aromas that filled the air and that still do to this day. This week we look at the history of smells and sounds associated with the Guinness company.

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Video Podcast - Release Date: Wed, 9 Dec 2009 13:00:00 GMT - Duration - 4:05

Getting Traffic Department - "there were nearly 6 miles of tracks"

Guinness distributed nearly 3 millions barrells of Guinness annually in the early 1900's. They used a wide variety of modes of transport to distribute their product nationally and internationally. Guinness was shipped by rail, canal, river and sea. All this was coordinated by their very own traffic department. This week we look at Guinness and its history of transport.

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Video Podcast - Release Date: Wed, 16 Dec 2009 13:00:00 GMT - Duration - 3:40

Guinness Christmas Concert - "there were nearly 6 miles of tracks"

One of the most sought after events of the year in Dublin 8, were tickets to the annual Christmas Guinness concert held in the lavish Rupert Guinness Hall in Watling Street. Six nights a week and for four weeks a year, the popular variety show was put on. With a mixture of both local talent and Irish celebrities such as Maureen Potter, Jimmy O'Dea and Noel Purcell adorning the stage, of this packed 500 seat theatre.