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House of Guinness has taken Netflix by storm with its authentic portrayal of Ireland's most popular brewing dynasty. The show follows the Guinness family through years of business expansion, personal drama, and political upheaval. The series is set against the backdrop of 19th-century Ireland under British rule, and the series explores how one's family's decision shaped both their brewery empire and Ireland's fight for independence.
While House of Guinness draws from actual historical events, the creators have made significant alterations to craft a more dramatic storyline. The series blends fact with fiction to create compelling narratives that captivate viewers.
Many characters, pivotal moments, and relationships have been invented or dramatically altered from their historical counterparts. These transformations serve the show's entertainment value but create a version of history that differs from documented reality.
7 shocking changes from the real-life story of House of Guinness
1) The Fenian funeral disruption never happened
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House of Guinness depicts a huge riot at Benjamin Lee Guinness's funeral in 1868. The series presents Fenian activists disrupting the ceremony as a protest against the family's unionist stance. Paddy and Ellen Cochrane lead this dramatic meeting in the show. Historical records display no evidence of such an incident happening. Benjamin's funeral proceeded without any documented disruptions from political groups.
The Guinness family did maintain complicated relationships with several political factions during this period. They supported some Catholic preachings while keeping unionist positions.
The Fenian Brotherhood was indeed active during this period. They fought for Irish independence from British rule. However, their involvement in Benjamon's funeral appears to be entirely fictional. This dramatic sequence was likely created to highlight the political tensions of the era.
2) Byron Hughes was entirely fictional
One of House of Guinness's most crucial characters never existed in real life. Bryon Hughes (portrayed by Jack Gleeson) claims to be Benjamin's illegitimate son.
The character serves as a bridge between the American Fenian supporters and the Guinness family. Hughes comes, declaring his parentage and demanding recognition from the family. His narrative involves establishing business connections in New York. The character also facilitates the relationship between political activists and the brewery.
No historical records document Benjamin Guinness having any kind of illegitimate offspring. The entire American expansion subplot is involved.
The whole American expansion subplot, including Hughes, appears to be fictional. This creative addition allows the show to explore political intrigue and family loyalty themes.
3) No financial deal with American Fenians
House of Guinness displays a brewery agreeing to give the Fenian Brotherhood 15% of its gains. This deal supposedly helps establish Guinness in the American market. Bryon Hughes negotiates this arrangement with New York Fenian leaders. Historical evidence does not support this business partnership. Guinness eventually became renowned in America through several means. The methods and timeline displayed in the show appear to be dramatic inventions.
The Fenian Brotherhood was indeed in operation in New York during this period. They gathered funds and support for Irish independence causes. However, their connection to Guinness profits seems to be entirely fictional.
4) The Harp logo timeline is wrong
The show displays Edward Guinness introducing the iconic harp logo during his leadership. This symbol becomes important to the Irish national representation and the company's identity.
The series presents this as Edward's innovative marketing decision. In reality, Guinness products first featured the harp design in 1862. This was during Benjamin's lifetime and before Edward took complete control. The timing depicted in House of Guinness does not align with historical records.
The harp is based on the Brian Boru Harp and is associated with Ireland's legendary High King. This historical connection is perfectly represented in the show. However, attributing the quote to Edward rather than Benjamin significantly transforms the narrative.
5) Anne's miscarriage story is invented
House of Guinness depicts Anne Guinness having a miscarriage in Cloonboo during a carriage trip. The sequence suggests that she was not aware of her pregnancy. It implies the child might have been Sean Rafferty's.
The whole subplot appears to be fictional. Anne had already given birth to kids by this time in her life. Her experience with pregnancy would likely have made her aware of her condition. Sean Raffery is another fictional character created for the show. The romantic relationship between Rafferty and Anne never existed in actual life. The storyline was invented to add personal drama to the historical storyline.
6) Benjamin's will was altered dramatically
The show presents Benjamin's will as a created Succession-type power struggle. If they leave, Arthur and Edward are supposedly bound to the brewery without inheritance. Benjamin and Anne Jr. are portrayed as being entirely excluded. Historical records display a separate arrangement in Benjamin's real will.
Both Edward and Arthur were given choices regarding the business. Arthur could sell his share to Edward if he decides. The brothers had more flexibility than the series suggests.
As House of Guinness suggests, Benjamin Jr. and Anne were not wholly excluded from inheritance. The will's extreme restriction appears to be an innovative addition for storytelling purposes.
7) Multiple characters are entirely fictional
House of Guinness creates several characters who never existed in reality. Patrick and Ellen Cochrane represent Fenuan activists but are not based on particular historical figures. The family butler, John Potter, is another fictional creation.
Other invented characters include Christine O'Madden, Bonnie Champion, and other romantic interests. These characters allow the series to explore separate social classes and political viewpoints. They represented composite figures rather than real historical people.
The romantic subplots involving these fictional characters are also invented. Edward's alleged affair with a Fenian woman never happened. Arthur's various romantic entanglements displayed in the series are dramatic creations.
House of Guinness takes big creative liberties with historical facts to create engaging television drama. While the basic framework of the Guinness family narrative remains intact, many crucial events, relationships, and characters are fictional additions designed to enhance the narrative's entertainment value.
