By Katie Palmer

Copyright irishmirror

The Netflix series House of Guinness, created by Peaky Blinders’ Steven Knight , has been a hit. The historical drama tells the true story of the Guinness family. The plot unfolds following the death of the family patriarch, focusing on four siblings, including Anne Guinness (played by Emily Fairn), as they strive to uphold their father’s legacy. Arthur Guinness ( portrayed by Anthony Boyle) is the eldest son who feels the weight of expectation to fill his father’s shoes in Parliament. However, he harbours a massive secret that could potentially ruin the Guinness family business if revealed. Ellen Cochrane (Niamh McCormack), a Fenian, is hell-bent on exposing Arthur’s clandestine affairs with other men – but did this really occur? The Guinness family tree is complex, with numerous Arthurs throughout its history. The Arthur Guinness depicted in House of Guinness was also known as Lord Ardilaun, and according to The Irish Times, he reportedly had “an unconventional marriage and was probably gay”. In 1871, he wed Lady Olivia Charlotte Hedges-White and they had no children, with Charlotte accepting Arthur’s preferences. The Irish Independent also reported: “Ardilaun was probably gay and had an unconventional marriage which, it was agreed in advance, would not involve sex.” Joe Joyce, author of The Guinnesses: The Untold Story of Ireland’s Most Successful Family (2009), also suggested that Arthur was “probably gay” despite the lack of detailed historical evidence to fully explain Arthur’s relationships in the series. The Irish Times also shed light on how Lord Ardilaun wasn’t the sole homosexual member of the family, with the third Arthur Guinness reportedly having a fleeting affair with young playwright Dion Boucicault. In the series, Arthur falls for a lawyer who ends their clandestine relationship, not wishing to be embroiled in the family’s drama. House of Guinness is on Netflix