merrion street

Thursday 21st November, 2013: Jimmy Deenihan TD, Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, will this morning open the newly refurbished Clerys Department Store on Dublin’s O’Connell Street.

Minister Deenihan will also present the store with a copy of files from the National Archives of Ireland which document the claim made by the company for compensation following the Easter Rising of 1916.

At the opening, Minister Deenihan commented:

"Clerys has been synonymous with O'Connell Street since the 19th century. In that time, Clerys - and those who work here - have witnessed some of the most important events that have ever taken place in this city.

"In 1916, the Easter Rising commenced just across the road from this store at the General Post Office. At that time, the original Clerys building was destroyed. But, undaunted, the shop was rebuilt, and restocked, and opened once again. Today, we welcome Clerys back as a major attraction on O'Connell Street.

"After the Easter Rising, a committee was established to provide compensation to those who suffered loss or damage to property. The files held in the National Archives record that Clerys had a compensation claim for £78,556, 1 shilling and 8 pence for the loss of stock, furniture and fittings - a significant sum at the time.

"As Minister with responsibility for the Decade of Centenaries Programme, I hope that more and more people will visit O'Connell Street in the years ahead. Clerys adds to the life of this historic street, and our capital city, and I am delighted to welcome it back today."

Ends/

Note to Editors:

Images of records from 1916, courtesy of the National Archives of Ireland, are available on request.