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.