Guinness launches Arthur's Day 2010

The company has launched an initiative called ‘Our Thursdays’ to give emerging music artists the chance to show off their talents in pubs across Ireland and the chance of participating in the Arthur’s Day line-up of events.

Irish acts that are interested in taking part are being asked to upload their music to www.guinness.com/ourthursdays. The top 600 bands will be chosen to play in 100 local pubs every Thursday from mid July through to early August in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.

One hundred of these acts will get the opportunity to perform at various pub locations around the country on Arthur’s Day. Three of them will be chosen to play in Galway, Cork and in Hopstore 13 at St James’s Gate Brewery on Arthur’s Day alongside international artists including Snow Patrol, Paolo Nutini and The Magic Numbers.  

“Last year, pubs and bars across the country embraced Arthur’s Day in a huge way and we are really looking forward to this year’s celebrations. The addition of ‘Our Thursdays’ will open up the celebration to both customers and publicans alike,” said Ciaran Budds, Guinness National Sales Manager. “With organised music events set to take place in outlets across the 32 counties, it is really something that everyone can embrace and we are looking forward to working in partnership with our customers to make it a huge success.”  

“Arthur’s Day was designed to recognise a remarkable man with a remarkable legacy but we never imagined that so many people would embrace it in the way they did. From Donegal to Kerry, people made a huge effort to mark the day in their own special way,” said Tanya Clarke, head of Guinness marketing.

Proceeds from all Arthur’s Day ticket sales will be donated to the Arthur Guinness Fund and ticket information will be announced in mid-July.