Okay so here’s how I finally figured out why this place Weir and Sons kept popping up whenever I googled “nice jewelry Dublin”. Honestly, wasn’t even planning to visit at first. Just landed in Dublin after a rough flight, feeling kinda jet-lagged and grumpy, needing coffee more than anything sparkly.
Stumbled outta the airport bus right onto Grafton Street, dragging my suitcase. That’s when I saw it. Big, old-fashioned sign – “Weir and Sons”. Looked proper posh from the outside, way fancier than the coffee shops I was hunting for. The windows… wow. Packed with watches shining under the lights and all kinds of jewellery. Crowd was actually stopping to look. Thought “Huh, this place must be someone”. Figured I’d grab coffee first, then maybe peek in.
Came back after the caffeine kicked in, still feeling a bit scruffy in my travel gear. Walked through the big doors – felt like stepping back in time or something. Polished wood everywhere, fancy display cases going on forever, high ceilings. Had that weight to it, you know? Not loud like some shops, people talking quiet. Staff were sharp, dressed smart, but they didn’t give me the side-eye, just a proper “Can I help you, Sir?”.
Started browsing. Watches everywhere – big names I recognized like Rolex, Omega, Cartier, all shiny behind the glass. But then I saw other stuff too. Engagement rings, wedding bands with real delicate designs, silver things – way more than just watches. This American couple next to me was getting all excited over some Celtic design jewellery, telling the staff it was “authentic”. Got me wondering why this shop in particular was famous. Wasn’t just cause they sold nice stuff, every city has nice shops.
Asked one of the younger staff members while they were wrapping up my small purchase – just a Claddagh ring for my niece, nothing major. “So… everyone seems to know this place?” His face lit up. “Ah, well, we’ve been right here since 1869, Sir!” He started telling me bits: set up as a watch shop way back, became THE place for engagement rings in Dublin for generations, supplied watches to Irish Rail for ages, still the official timekeepers for GAA and Trinity College. Mentioned presidents, celebrities… “Survivors of the Lusitania even bought watches from us after landing in Cobh!”. Pretty wild.
Then he showed me a big, thick book near the entrance – their history. Black and white photos of the shop looking almost the same as now but with people in old-timey clothes. Adverts from newspapers back in the day. Felt like poking through a family archive. That’s when it clicked. Wasn’t just the shiny stuff. It’s the sheer amount of life that’s happened through this one shop. Wars, recessions, everything – they just kept going, right here on Grafton Street. Built up this huge reputation over a century and a half of just… being reliable and good.
Walked out feeling like I got why people say “Oh, you have to see Weir and Sons”. Not cause it’s some tourist trap, but cause it feels like a proper piece of Dublin itself. They sell fancy things, sure, but the fame? That comes from staying power. Simple as that.
