A north Wales castle with a storied past has been transformed into the ancestral seat of the Guinness brewing family for a sweeping new Netflix period drama.
Penrhyn Castle, near Bangor in Gwynedd, doubles as Ashford Castle in House of Guinness, an eight-part series from Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight. Starring James Norton, the drama explores the fortunes – and bitter rivalries – of the Guinness dynasty following the death of Sir Benjamin Lee Guinness in 1868.
Set against the backdrops of 19th-century Dublin and New York, the series charts the struggles of Sir Benjamin’s four adult children — Arthur, Edward, Anne and Benjamin Jr. — as they grapple with inheritance, reputation and the future of one of Europe’s most successful brewing empires.
Although rooted in Ireland, filming took place across north-west England and north Wales, as much of Dublin has changed beyond recognition since the 19th century.
Karen Wilson, Executive Producer, explained: “We quickly realised we’d have to film elsewhere. We travelled the length and breadth of Ireland and the UK, ending up in the north west of England, which had stately homes and Dublin-style streets — everything we needed. Even within the north west, we had to move around more than a TV production usually would. But places like Manchester, Liverpool, north Wales, and Yorkshire gave us what we needed. I really hope we’ve done Dublin justice.”
A castle built on wealth and conflict
While Penrhyn Castle may look like a medieval stronghold, it was in fact constructed between 1820 and 1837 by architect Thomas Hopper for the wealthy Pennant family. Built in a flamboyant neo-Norman style, its battlements, towers and arrow slits were decorative rather than defensive, designed to project the power and prestige of a Victorian industrial dynasty.
The Pennants’ fortune had roots in the sugar plantations of Jamaica and later in the North Wales slate industry. That wealth also carried controversy. The family’s ownership of Penrhyn Quarry led to one of the bitterest labour disputes in British history — the Great Penrhyn Strike of 1900–1903 — which divided the local community for generations.
Penrhyn remained in private hands until 1951, when it was transferred to the National Trust. Today, visitors can explore its lavish interiors, grand state rooms and sweeping views across the Menai Strait, alongside exhibitions exploring its links to slavery and industrial conflict.
Ceri Williams, General Manager for Penrhyn Castle, National Trust Cymru, said:
“It’s been great to host the House of Guinness production at Penrhyn Castle. The series explores wealth, class disparities and conflict, similar to the themes we explore here at Penrhyn. We can’t wait to watch it and spot Penrhyn in the background.”
Guinness legacy on screen
The real Ashford Castle in County Mayo was purchased by Sir Benjamin in 1852. Following his death, his heirs continued to expand the estate, while also navigating the pressures of running one of Ireland’s most powerful companies. Edward Guinness, one of Sir Benjamin’s sons, would ultimately consolidate control, overseeing the brewery’s continued expansion and floating it on the London Stock Exchange in 1886.
House of Guinness takes these historical events as its foundation, weaving in fictionalised drama to bring the characters to life. Themes of ambition, loyalty and betrayal play out against a backdrop of political change in Ireland and social unrest in Dublin, with the Guinness fortune acting as both blessing and curse.
House of Guinness will be available to stream on Netflix from 25 September.
