Penelope Guinness Inherits Leixlip Castle As Rediscovered Will Details Desmond’s Fortune

Sunday, 25 August 2024 12:26

By Martin Osborne

Guinness, who passed away in 2020 at the age of 88, named his wife Penelope, his son Patrick, and his daughter Marina as the primary beneficiaries and executors of his estate.

In January, documents filed in Dublin’s Probate Office initially suggested that Desmond Walter Guinness, one of Ireland's wealthiest individuals, had passed away without leaving a will.

However, according to the Sunday Independent, a detailed will from 2011 has since come to light, specifying the distribution of his estate, which is now valued at €26.5 million - nearly double previous estimates.

Guinness, who passed away in 2020 at the age of 88, named his wife Penelope, his son Patrick, and his daughter Marina as the primary beneficiaries and executors of his estate.

His will includes specific bequests of property, personal items, and funds to family members, friends, and long-time employees.

Penelope Guinness is to inherit Leixlip Castle, along with its contents and surrounding lands.

Upon her death or earlier if she wishes, the castle and estate will pass to their son Patrick.

Should Patrick choose to sell the property, half of the proceeds are designated for his sister Marina or her descendants.

In addition to Leixlip Castle, Desmond Guinness made provisions for various other properties and personal items to be distributed among his wife, children, grandchildren, and other relatives.

He also left specific sums of money and gifts to friends and employees associated with Leixlip Castle.

Desmond was a great, great, great, great grandson of Arthur Guinness, who was born in Celbridge.