ST JAMES'S GATE:For Dubliners who have spent their lives in the shadow of St James's Gate, yesterday's announcementevoked memories of the glory days of Guinnessin the capital.
"I used to roll the barrels onto the trains going to the country," said John Kavanagh, recalling his short stint working for Guinness over 30 years ago to earn money for his holidays. The biggest perk was the unlimited supply of Guinness for workers, he said.
"Most people around here used to work for Guinness. They kept a lot of young families going when there was very little work," he said.
"I don't like to see it changing - it's a landmark," said John Gavin, a nearby resident. "My wife's father worked there and she was born and bred out of Guinness's," he said, describing how his father-in-law earned what was considered a great wage of three pounds a week.
"In the cul-de-sac where I live there are about seven or eight 'Guinness' men in the houses used to belong to Guinness," he added, describing the great conditions for the brewery's staff and their families, even after they retired.
"My grandfather worked there, he was one of the gatemen and was treated very well," Patricia Lunney said, her eyes lighting up with pride as she stood outside the Guinness entrance on Thomas Street. "When Frawley's shop went the whole of Thomas Street was dead and if Guinness went it would be worse," she added.
Local resident Kevin Moore said he was relieved the Guinness Storehouse - which attracts 900,000 tourists each year - was staying. But, he said, with a grin, "I'm actually a Beamish drinker . . . as it is cheaper."
