The Clery’s Story: The mixed fortunes of Dublin’s first ‘monster mart’

This event has ended

Online, Monday 24th May

When McSwiney Delaney launched their palatial department store on Sackville Street in 1853, it was designed to emulate the world famous Le Bon Marche in Paris, which had opened its doors in the previous year. Taken over by Limerick man Michael J. Clery in 1883, the business went on to experience some strange turns of fortune. During the Easter Rising of 1916 the windows of the building melted into the street, from the heat of the massive fire that burned the store and the hotel above it to the ground. Rebuilt and re-opened in 1922, Clerys continued in business for nearly 20 years until it went into receivership in 1941. It was purchased by Kerryman Denis Guiney, who retained the Clerys' name. The shock closure of the store in 2015 was followed by some years of debate about the future of the iconic building, which is expected to open this year as a luxury hotel, part of the Clerys’ Quarter.

Dublin City Council Historian in Residence for Dublin Central Dr Mary Muldowney will present the fourth in her series of talks on the retail industry in the Dublin 1 area.


Date:
Monday 24th May
Time:
7.00pm
Price:
Free

You might also like...

What's on

International Social Housing Festival

The Convention Centre

The International Social Housing Festival (ISHF) is an initiative of Housing Europe, the European Federation of Public, Cooperative and Social Housing, and its members and allies, present in 31 countries and encompassing 25 million dwellings, 11% of the housing stock in the European Union. ISHF is a unique opportunity for discussion between social and affordable housing providers, policymakers, researchers, city authorities, urbanists, architects and activists.

What's on

AUDACITY – The Conference

TU Dublin, Grangegorman

On Saturday, 7th June 2025, a transformative new event will take place at Technology University Dublin, East Quad, Grangegorman — and it’s called AUDACITY. Planned and powered by the Black Irish Sisters Network, AUDACITY is a celebration of courage, visibility, and voice. Rooted in the lived experiences of Black-Irish women, it is a gathering that welcomes every woman and ally who has ever felt the pressure to shrink — and chose instead to rise. “Audacity is for every woman who has ever felt invisible and dared to take up space anyway. It’s a space to be seen, to belong, and t

What's on

Creative Brain Week Dublin

Naughton Institute

Creative Brain Week: A heady mix of World-Leading Neuroscientists, Educationalists, Health Policy Makers, Artists and Innovators exploring the brain and creativity. This year’s theme is “Activating Kindness”. Is kindness vital in unkind times? What is the value of kindness? How do neurologists and psychologists understand kindness? What motivates people to acts of kindness? Where does kindness interact with creativity and healthcare? Join us for a week of curiosity designed to stimulate creative brains — combining in-person and online events. Blending familiar elements with fres