Diageo Ireland, Guinness and The Guinness Storehouse has announced details of the inaugural Guinness Dublin 8 Community Fund, inviting local charities, non-profits and community groups in Dublin 8 to apply for funding for projects here in community. The new initiative will see €1 million invested in Dublin 8 over the next five years, with €500,000 available in its first year, and €125,000 annually thereafter.
The Guinness Dublin 8 Community Fund was made possible through direct investment from Diageo Ireland in partnership with Guinness and the Guinness Storehouse. Proceeds from the three-day ‘Lovely Days Live at the Home of Guinness’ event this summer – which saw 7,000 guests enter the St James’s Gate site – have also gone directly towards the Guinness Dublin 8 Community Fund through event ticket sales and sales of exclusive Fontaines D.C. event merchandise.
Applications are open under three key pillars reflecting some of the most important areas of focus within the local community for adults and mixed groups, which were identified by supporting partners Community Foundation Ireland.
Developed by Diageo Ireland and Community Foundation Ireland with input from Dublin 8 community organisations, the Guinness Dublin 8 Community Fund will distribute €500,0000 in grants to 20 local projects in its inaugural year. Grants of €2,500, €20,000 and €75,000 will be awarded to initiatives delivering meaningful change at grassroots level in Dublin 8.
Shane Kelly, Corporate Relations Director, Diageo Ireland said:
“With the launch of the inaugural Guinness Dublin 8 Community Fund, our ambition is to continue standing alongside the local community as a committed partner. By making €500,000 available in the first year, we want to provide opportunities that build on the vibrant energy already thriving in Dublin 8.
Working with Community Foundation Ireland, we’re focused on long-term investment that supports education, community development, and sustainability, while amplifying the voices of local groups and helping them share their passion more widely.
We’re excited to take this next step with the community and know that this fund will spark great ideas and strengthen partnerships across the Dublin 8 area.’’
Denise Charlton, Chief Executive of Community Foundation Ireland added:
“Community Foundation Ireland is proud to partner with Diageo Ireland on the Guinness Dublin 8 Community Fund.
Over the next 5 years, this fund will support the incredible work that local organisations are already delivering and help unlock even more potential within Dublin 8.
Supporting innovative projects that create opportunities for growth and learning and fostering a more sustainable future for the community.
Together with Diageo Ireland, we’re committed to ensuring these funds reach the grassroots level, for initiatives that truly make a difference.”
Catherine Toolan, Managing Director, Guinness Storehouse “As we mark 25 years of the Guinness Storehouse, we’re proud to support the Guinness Dublin 8 Community Fund, giving back to the vibrant area where the Guinness Storehouse has thrived since it opened back in 2000.
This fund is a way of giving back and supporting the people and organisations who make this neighbourhood so special.
The ‘Alive in 25’ Guinness Storehouse year-long birthday celebration, alongside the Guinness Dublin 8 Community Fund – is not just a celebration of our past, it’s a commitment to the future of Dublin 8 and we can’t wait to see how local groups will shape the next chapter of our shared story’’
The Guinness Dublin 8 Community Fund builds on Diageo’s continued investment in the local community, further strengthening its long-standing commitment to supporting vibrant and inclusive communities in Dublin 8 and beyond. In addition to funding for community initiatives and causes, Diageo employees have also volunteered a significant number of hours to help local schools and charities.
Applications for the Guinness Dublin 8 Community Fund are now open until midnight on the 17th November, 2025 and can be submitted at communityfoundation.ie. To support local groups with the process, Community Foundation Ireland will host an information webinar on Tuesday, 21st October, information on this webinar can also be found on communityfoundation.ie.
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ENDS
Note to Editors
About Lovely Days Live at the Home of Guinness
Guinness and Guinness Storehouse invited music lovers to step inside St. James’s Gate for an unforgettable 3-day music event from Friday, May 23rd to Sunday, May 25th.
Marking the start of summer, Lovely Days Live at the Home of Guinness, celebrated the unique and vibrant spirit of Dublin 8, with an incredible line-up that included Barry Can’t Swim, CMAT and Fontaines D.C. Guests were also treated to the ultimate festival vibes with delicious food offerings available to enjoy on the day from local suppliers including Camerino, Home Dogs, Jaru, Little Catch and The Saucy Cow. Lovely Days Live at the Home of Guinness also brought surprise pop-up gigs to Dublin 8 pubs across the weekend, including a DJ set from Fontaines D.C. in the Liberty Belle and an intimate acoustic performance from CMAT in Thomas House.
About Diageo Ireland Community Impact
Last year, Diageo Ireland published its first Community Impact Report, detailing a substantial €1.7 million investment in community initiatives between July 2023 and June 2024. Diageo Ireland’s commitment to the community is structured around four pillars, with each pillar representing a facet of dedication to creating a positive and lasting impact. These include; Culture, Education and Training, Community Projects/Charitable Contributions and Inclusion and Diversity. The full report is available here.
For the past century, Guinness has uplifted and celebrated the positive forces of communities both local and national through significant investment, distinctive storytelling and world class activations. Previous national initiatives include Raising the Bar, part of a programme to support the recovery of pubs following COVID-19, and Never Settle; a series of activations to promote inclusivity in sport, with a commitment from Guinness that they will Never Settle until sport is a place where everyone can belong. Diageo Ireland has also invested in cultural initiatives within its own neighbourhood of Dublin 8, through the Guinness Storehouse’s sponsorship of events such as Culture Night and A Better Cit as well as Diageo Ireland’s sponsorship of events such as the Liberties festival & the Liberties Fun run.
About Community Foundation Ireland
Community Foundation Ireland and its philanthropic donors have been on a mission of Equality For All in Thriving Communities since the year 2000. The Foundation works with 5,000 voluntary, community and charitable partners. More than €140M in grants have been provided to support the equality mission.
About the Guinness Storehouse
The Guinness Storehouse tells the story of one of Ireland’s most loved brands, Guinness. Visitors from Ireland and abroad discover what goes into making each pint, learn about the incredible brand history stretching over 266 years, its iconic advertising, as well as a tasting like no other. The experience unfolds across seven floors, including the highlight for many visitors – the famous Gravity Bar, where visitors can enjoy unparalleled panoramic 360⁰ views of Dublin city. The Guinness Storehouse was voted the World’s Leading Visitor Attraction 2023 at the World Travel Awards. The Guinness Storehouse is located in heart of Dublin’s Liberties, an area renowned for its brewing and distilling history.
About Diageo
Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands across spirits and beer categories. These brands include Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, JεB and Buchanan’s whiskies, Smirnoff, Cîroc and Ketel One vodkas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Don Julio, Tanqueray and Guinness. Diageo is a global company, and our products are sold in more than 180 countries around the world. The company is listed on both the London Stock Exchange (DGE) and the New York Stock Exchange (DEO). For more information about Diageo, our people, our brands and performance, visit www.diageo.com
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