Founded in 1869 by Thomas Weir, Weir & Sons is one of the last major original Irish and family-owned stores (even if the Weirs were originally from Glasgow!) on Grafton Street. It has grown to become one of Dublin’s best-recognised luxury jewellery retailers. It is especially noted for its curved display windows. In 1865, Thomas moved from his Glasgow home to start a new life in Dublin where he worked for Wests, long-established jewellers specialising in the making of gold jewellery.
Always an imaginative and innovative man, Weir’s love of experimentation resulted in the submission of some unusual patents including mudflaps for spats! He opened his first shop at no. 5 Grafton Street, then moved to Wicklow Street, subsequently buying adjoining premises which then allowed additional frontage back onto Grafton Street. At one point he employed over one hundred staff, including silversmiths, valuers, engravers, watchmakers and other specialists.
It is now one of the largest single unit jewellers in Europe. Its silver department is famous for its work which includes designs ranging from commemorative shields to bishops’ croziers and in 1926 making the Aga Kahn Trophy for the winners of the Nations Cup for presentation at the annual Horse Show in the grounds of the Royal Dublin Society.
Famous customers included Princess Grace of Monaco with her husband Prince Rainier and Walt Disney, the cartoon film creator.
