I Watched House Of Guinness On Netflix, And There Is One Tidbit Of History That Blew My Mind

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I really enjoy trivia and history – you could say I’m a bit of a nerd for both! I also have a long-standing love for Guinness beer. It’s been my favorite since my college days in the ‘90s. So, when I found out that House of Guinness would be on TV in 2025, I was thrilled.

My anticipation grew even more when I discovered it was created by Steven Knight, the mind behind Peaky Blinders (and the future writer of the next James Bond film). The first episode immediately surprised me with a fact I hadn’t known: the Guinness family were Protestant, and the iconic harp on their labels was actually a kind of agreement or middle ground.

The Symbol Of Guinness Is An Important Harp Of Irish Independence

Let me state this upfront: I have no Irish heritage, and I don’t have any personal stake in the issue of Irish independence or The Troubles. I simply enjoy Guinness beer a lot. I stopped ordering the drink by the name “car bomb” once I understood why that term is offensive (I really should have realized that myself, but I didn’t). I do, though, have a great deal of respect for the Irish people and the Republic of Ireland-particularly their beer. It’s a delicious drink!

I recently watched House of Guinness on Netflix, and I was fascinated to learn the story behind their iconic harp! I always knew it was a national symbol of Ireland, representing a free nation, but I didn’t realize it came about as a sort of agreement between the Protestant Guinness family and Irish Catholics. Apparently, this harp – often called “Brian Boru’s harp” or, more officially, the “Trinity College harp” because that’s where it’s kept now – has actually been featured on Guinness labels for longer than it’s been on the Irish Coat of Arms! It’s just incredible to think about the history behind such a well-known trademark and symbol.

The Harp Became The Symbol Of Guinness In 1862

As a bit of a history buff and a fan of good storytelling, I noticed a slight tweak in the show’s timeline. They portray the harp becoming the Guinness symbol after Edward Guinness – played by Louis Partridge, who you might recognize from Enola Holmes – took the reins of the brewery in 1868 following his father’s death. But actually, Guinness themselves say the harp first showed up on their labels way back in 1862! It was Benjamin Lee Guinness, Edward’s father, who initially chose it, as a way to represent Ireland. It’s a small detail, but interesting to know the real story behind the iconic symbol!

In the series, among the top shows on Netflix this year, Edward admits to Ellen Cochrane (Niamh McCormack), a leader in the Fenian movement, that he envisions the beer as a symbol of all of Ireland. He chooses the harp to acknowledge the Catholic independence movement. This likely reflects the thinking of the original Benjamin Guinness. In 1876, Edward officially registered the harp as the logo for Guinness Stout, and it has since become one of the most famous trademarks globally.

I’ve been learning about the history behind Guinness, and it’s fascinating! Edward’s brother, Arthur, played by Anthony Boyle (you might recognize him from Tolkien), was also in British Parliament – a Conservative, just like his dad. The Conservative party, or the Tories as they were known, were really focused on keeping the Union together and supporting the monarchy. So, for the play to work, it was super important to balance the family’s political beliefs with the desires of Irish Catholics who were fighting for independence. And honestly, I think they nailed it! What could be more iconically Irish than a lovely, cold pint of Guinness Stout? It really is a testament to their success.

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2025-10-01 18:08