Fionn MacCool’s offers chance for memorable Toronto story-teller to win coveted trip to Guinness 250 celebrations in Dublin

…in true Irish story-telling tradition, “Passport to Party” contest participants do not need to let the facts get in the way of a good story…

Mississauga, ON - September 21, 2009 - Fionn MacCool’s, a Prime Pubs brand, is offering local beer drinkers the opportunity of a lifetime. In honour of the 250th anniversary of Guinness®, Prime Pubs is running “Passport to Party,” a story-telling contest which encourages local beer lovers to create, and share memorable stories about their favourite Irish pub and Guinness. The contest’s grand prize is a trip to Dublin, the spiritual home of Guinness, to participate in worldwide celebrations marking the milestone on September 24, 2009, Arthur's Day.

“We are delighted to partner with Guinness for this contest, and to be able to give one of Prime Pubs’ loyal beer drinkers the trip of a lifetime,” says Grant Cobb, Senior Vice President of Prime Pubs. “The prize package, which includes a behind-the-scenes tour of St. James Gate Brewery, is packed with exciting activities, and will ensure that the trip will be one of the winner’s most memorable experiences ever.”

To enter, Canadians 19-years-old and over, with a valid passport are invited to visit www.passporttoparty.com and submit a “memorable” story of 500 words or less, which must include a reference to Fionn MacCool’s and Guinness. The more memorable and entertaining the submission the greater the chance of winning. In true Irish story-telling tradition, participants in the “Passport to Party” contest do not need to let the facts get in the way of a good story.

On September 11, five local Fionn MacCool’s along with the eight other participating Prime Pubs in Ottawa, Kingston and Sarnia (Ontario), Calgary (Alberta) and Tempe (Arizona) will hold local competitions with the top five stories entered from their ‘home pub.’ From each local competition, one regional finalist will be selected to represent their pub at the Finals on September 19 at Fionn MacCool’s (The Esplanade location) in Toronto. Regional finalists selected from each pub will be awarded a trip to the Finals in Toronto where they will tell his/her memorable story in front of a judging panel, a live audience and Guinness brewmaster Fergal Murray who will, based on guests’ feedback of the quality and delivery of their tale, present the grand prize.

Two days later, on September 21, the grand prize winner and his/her guest will depart for Ireland spending four nights and five days in Ireland at one of Dublin’s premier hotels. Their visit will be jam-packed with fun activities, including a private tour of St.

James Gate Brewery, a $1,500 entertainment voucher and participation in the 250th celebrations.

The Guinness 250 celebrations will begin on September 24 with a global toast to Arthur Guinness and include concerts at St. James Gate Brewery and other venues throughout Dublin.

For complete contest Rules and Regulations for “Passport to Party” please visit http://www.passporttoparty.com/rules-and-regulations.

About Prime Pubs
Prime Pubs is a family of 13 authentic Irish pubs operating under the trade-marks of Fionn MacCool's, D'Arcy McGee's, Paddy Flaherty's and Tir nan Óg. Prime Pubs serve traditional Irish fare made from authentic recipes that have been developed over generations as well as a selection of contemporary favourites. Interiors of Prime Pubs offer a warm and friendly environment and many pubs feature furnishings that have been imported directly from Ireland. For more information visit www.primepubs.com.

About Prime Restaurants of Canada Inc. Prime Restaurants of Canada Inc. operates and franchises a diversified portfolio of leading brands of casual dining restaurants and premium pubs across Canada under such trademarks as: “East Side Mario’s”, “Casey’s”, “Fionn MacCool’s”, “D’Arcy McGee’s”, “Paddy Flaherty’s”, “Tir nan Óg”, “Bier Markt” and “Pat & Mario’s.”

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Media Contact:
Katherine Clark / Margaret Batuszkin, Cowan & Company
416-462-8773 ext. 55 or
katherine.clark@cowanandcompany.net