A second Arthur’s Day will be celebrated across the world as Guinness turns 251.

Following the worldwide celebrations last September, Snow Patrol, Jay Sea and Paolo Nutini have been named as some of the performers joining the global celebrations to support the Arthur Guinness fund.

Guinness, the world’s best-selling stout beer, says its second Arthur’s Day celebration will take place on Thursday, September 23, 2010.

Celebrations will again take place across the globe, with people coming together to raise a glass to Arthur Guinness at events and festivities across Ireland, Europe, Asia, Africa, North America and the Caribbean.

Arthur’s Day honours the remarkable legacy of Arthur Guinness, the pioneer and philanthropist, who signed the 9,000 year lease on the St. James’s Gate Brewery in 1759 and introduced the Guinness brand to the world.

The annual celebration directly benefits the Arthur Guinness Fund, which supports social entrepreneurs aiming to make transformational change in communities around the world.

The worldwide toast will begin at 17:59 (GMT) in Ireland on 23rd September with major nationwide live music performances taking place simultaneously in the Guinness Brewery at St. James’s Gate and in pubs and venues throughout Dublin, Cork and Galway. 

Among the many internationally renowned acts performing will be Snow Patrol, Jay Sean and Paolo Nutini who will kick off the global celebrations by raising a Guinness at 17:59 before entertaining their fans with a live set.

After the festivities commence across Ireland, the global celebration will continue at 17.59 local time in the Caribbean, Africa, North America, Asia and throughout Europe as Guinness fans around the world join in on the celebration by raising a pint of the worlds most recognisable tipple to Arthur and his remarkable legacy.

Ronan Beirne, Guinness Global Marketing Manager, said: “Arthur’s Day is a celebration with substance designed to recognise and honour the legacy of Arthur Guinness and the Guinness brand he brought to the world. We are excited to announce that we will be celebrating this again with people all over the world on Arthur’s Day, and I am personally looking forward to raising a Guinness on the 23rd September to toast a truly inspirational man.”

As part of last year’s inaugural Arthur’s Day celebration which coincided with the 250th anniversary of the signing of the original lease at St. James’s Gate, the Arthur Guinness Fund was established to identify and incentivise leading global social entrepreneurs with the skills and support required to deliver measurable, transformational change to communities around the world.  In 2010, the Arthur Guinness Fund will also continue to invest in this area.

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