“A brilliant, entertaining read.” – The Irish Times

In this Irish Times bestseller, now in paperback, the head of the Guinness family reveals how his ancestors created the largest brewery in the world.

Growing up at Farmleigh, the country house outside Dublin, Arthur Edward Guinness—Ned for short—was fascinated by the secrets and legends that surrounded the early generations of his famous family of brewers, who went from obscurity in Kildare to the pinnacle of Irish and British society.

In this bestselling account, he explores the challenges faced by each generation, culminating in the dramatic events when his great-great-grandfather bought out his glamorous older brother and floated Guinness on the stock exchange. Overnight Edward Cecil Guinness became Ireland’s richest man.

This is a tale in which brewing genius, sibling rivalry, bounteous philanthropy, and astonishing social mobility are interwoven with historic national events, including the Act of Union, Catholic Emancipation, the Famine, the Home Rule movement, the Dublin Lockout, and ultimately Irish independence. It is the inside story, as told by Ned Guinness.

“The definitive history of the Guinness brewing dynasty.” – Irish Independent

“A fantastic book.” –The Business (RTÉ Radio 1)

“Really, really fascinating. More than a family biography, it’s a book that positions Guinness and its commercial story against the backdrop of a city.” – Donal Fallon

About The Author

Arthur Edward Guinness, the 4th Earl of Iveagh, was born in Dublin, raised at Farmleigh, and educated in Ireland and England. Ned is a farmer at Elveden, Suffolk and Co. Meath, Ireland. He is active in the promotion of Guinness beer, the interests of social housing, and community amenities in central Dublin.
Antonia Hart is an Irish historian and writer. She is the author of Ghost Signs of Dublin and The Commercial Lives of Irish Women 1850–1922: Business as Usual.