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FOR MANY DUBLINERS, it’s not Christmas without a trip to Clerys for some present shopping – or meeting under the clock.
Today will see the iconic building reopening its doors to the public after it was closed due to weather damage in July. The opening couldn’t come at a better time, as it’s just over a month to Christmas (sorry if that comes as a surprise…).
The managing director of the company, Dominic Prendergast, said that the 160-year-old retail emporium has been “restored to its former glory”.
The flood damage earlier this year was a devastating blow to our thousands of loyal customers, suppliers and co-workers and we would like to take this opportunity to thank them most sincerely for their patience and support during the past four months.
He said that Clerys is embarking upon “a new and exciting era” for its customers. In restoring the listed building – which was designed in 1853 – the commercial director of Clerys, Simon Smith and Brian Jennings of Jennings Design Studio worked to “create and develop a sensational vision for the complete re-development of the flood-damaged store”.
Architecture and Dublin history fans will be interested to hear that they took inspiration from the original design features in the neo-classical building, and exposed ceiling cornicing and balustrades, while revealing its original columns and windows.
Inside, shoppers will be able to choose from new collections and eat at a new bakery and deli. As for the Winter Wonderland? That can be found on the ground floor until Christmas Eve.
It is understood that all staff who were laid off in July will come back to work in the shop, while a number have already returned for ‘various projects’.
Do you have any memories about Clerys and Christmas? Share them in the comments below.
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Glad to see the folks are back to work though.
“I can see Clearys now the rain has gone”
Great to see a Dublin landmark reopen well done clearys
There are some things that become landmarks in your life.
One of mine was a visit to Santa in Clerys back in the 1930s.
I got a blue telescope.
The only Santa’s grotto to visit in Dublin just remember the excitement of going and the sheer delight of the whole grotto it was truly magical and a day off school to boot and a trip on the number 3 from Whitehall had to be upstairs at the front thanks Santa
Nope, that would be Arnotts.
No charge, no rush, entertainment & refreshments all day long & Santa looks the same in every year’s photo (beard is real too)
Good to see.
ThE heart has been pulled out of the city centre the last decade with monuments to the social insecure like Dundrum S.C. being built.
Lets hope the american owners of clerys spend their remaining couple of years re buildimg the clerys experience before they inevitably cash in their inverstment?
Who will be running clerys by 2016?
Paddy McKillen? John Lewis? House of Frasier?
John Lewis bought a large site on the other side of the street.
Who cares?
Boo!
You obviously cared enough to comment.
Happy red thumb day to you, sir!
The people who work there do. The people who like to shop there do.
The people who work there for a start.
Lovely to see Cleary’s back, O’Connell Street was just not the same without it. Best wishes to all involved especially the wonderfull staff, you were missed. Looking forward to dropping in later.
*GASP*! They’re named like my name!
Hurrah!
They might be able to pay back some of their creditors then?
They’re on the wrong side of the street in fairness. That side of O’Connell street is mainly full of druggies hanging around these days.
I have heard the whole of OConnell street is a no go area now with druggies and beggers. No law or order on the streets and getting very dangerous day and night on our capital’s main street
To a non-Dub who’s never set foot in the place, what exactly is the main draw of Cleary’s? One of those places I’ve heard about but don’t know about.
Would you believe I’m the same? Not a clue!
You mean you never saw Clearys christmas window?
Half of Dublin must have visited Santa in Cleary’s. I remember the excitement standing in line to meet the main man. Then there’s Cleary’s clock, the place to meet your date. I arranged to meet a cousin there one time… she was late, so I had to put up with lads wandering past, chanting “Stood up, stood up!” I was a divil for the Cleary’s sales in me day, now I’m poor and shop in Pennys. But it’s good to see it up and running again.
It’s CLERYS not Clearys
My mom went shopping for Christmas every year on December 8th in Cleary,s went on the train from Wexford.we had many toys and PJ,s from that lovely Store. Also had many a date there.
Clerys was designed in 1918 following destruction in 1916 – not 1853. That was the original Delany’s New Mart ‘Monster Store’.
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