Every one of us has something which, when we see it at this time of year, we get that little flutter of excitement ahead of the Christmas season.
For many it's the return of the Christmas market, for others it's the iconic Coca-Cola advert on the TV with that memorable 'Holidays are Coming' soundtrack, but for me, it's another TV ad, and that's the one for Guinness.
That calm scene as the clock strikes 12 and the streets are deserted and snow starts to fall across Dublin, accompanied by that iconic line at the end which states: "Even at the home of the black stuff, they dream of a white one". It makes me smile just thinking about it
Read more: Christmas events across NI for the whole family to enjoy this festive season
So you can imagine my excitement when I was invited down to the Guinness Storehouse last week to mark the beginning of their festive season and the unveiling of their unique Christmas tree and festive experience.
The Home of Guinness has announced an amplified visitor experience for its Christmas programme with a multi-media art installation with world-renowned visual artist, GRIF.
The visitor experience includes a state-of-the-art projection-mapped Christmas tree installation in the Atrium that measures 16-metres, a cinematic film inspired by the iconic surge of a Guinness pint, and bespoke large-scale prints created exclusively for the Home of Guinness.
I have to admit, the Christmas tree installation wasn't at all what I was expecting, it was even more impressive in reality. Incredibly well thought-out and really eye-catching on your arrival into the tour of the storehouse, and not surprising given that Dublin-born artist GRIF has worked with some of the biggest designer names in the world including Louis Vuitton, Givenchy and Apple.
As you walk through the tour of the Storehouse you can't help but be fascinated by the work and scale of production that goes into every single keg of Guinness created.
I particularly enjoyed the level which featured all the Guinness marketing and advertising over the year including the famous Pelican, and who can remember the fish on the bicycle advert? So many brilliant memories from iconic adverts over the years.
Another striking installation by GRIF awaits visitors on the upper floors of the tour, a stunning light feature which showcases the shape of the famous Guinness harp. At first glance, you'd be forgiven for thinking it looks like a regular chandelier, but if you stand in the right spot which is carefully marked out on the floor, you will be amazed by the stunning light feature as the bulbs change and flicker to create the perfect harp.
Finishing the tour in the Gravity Bar is the perfect treat, you can enjoy special Christmas-themed STOUTies and warming cups of mulled Guinness- my personal favourite treat, as you look across the beautiful Dublin skyline, a stunning view both during the day and after dark.
So wherever you’re visiting from this Christmas or just enjoying a day trip to Dublin for Christmas shopping or a show, you won't regret a trip to the festive experience at the Guinness Storehouse, were a warm welcome awaits you, as well as the best pint of Guinness you'll ever have!
The ‘Welcome Home’ to Christmas at the Guinness Storehouse experience runs from Wednesday 23rd November – Friday 6th January. The GRIF installation is included in each experience ticket. Prices start from €29. Book early to avoid disappointment at www.guinness-storehouse.com
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