If Walls Could Talk: At the centre of the sparkling jewellery industry

A notice for a lost piece of jewellery appeared in a Limerick newspaper in October 1804: ‘Lost on Friday night, in the Assembly Room, from a lady’s arm, a gilt bracelet band, with three cameos in the centre.’

The notice encouraged anyone who may have found it to drop it into Mr Fitzgerald, Jeweller, Patrick Street who will hand over a reward.

While it is unknown whether the lady was ever reunited with her cherished bracelet, an exploration of early nineteenth-century jewellers in Limerick city seems like an interesting topic to explore.

Patrick Street was the commercial centre of the city for much of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, and it was home to several jewellers over the years.

Mr Fitzgerald was not the only jewellery business on the street as a Mr Walsh also operated a shop a few doors down.

Just around the corner on Baal’s Bridge – when buildings were situated on the structure – was the premises of William Ward, another jeweller who advised the public on February 18, 1805 that he found a large gold seal, and that it may be returned to the owner by applying to his shop.

Yet another shop was situated at no. 3 Rutland Street and owned by Mr Reilly, jeweller and goldsmith. He closed his business in 1805 and sold off his stock including ‘pearl, crescent, and head ornaments, diamond rings, lockets, fancy jewellery, watches, plate, and Japan ware.’ Reilly advised prospective customers that he was selling all items at cost price.

Occupations associated with the jewellery trade include watch and clock making, both of which are well represented in the newspaper accounts.

For instance, in April 1805 Robert O’Shaughnessy of no. 3 George’s Street was seeking ‘two apprentices who would start immediately’ an indication that business was brisk and that Newtown Pery was successful and prosperous, bearing in mind that much of the city was still a building site.

O’Shaughnessy also provided a repair service. By the time Slater’s Commercial Directory was published in 1824, the category of watch and clock makers featured seven shops including O’Shaughnessy who had added fishing and tackle maker to his list of wares, and whose premises had moved to 18 George’s Street.

Other individuals on the list included Lawrence O’Hogan, Arthur’s Quay, Robert Palmer, 2 Merchant’s Quay, and Benjamin Baynham, 22 Patrick Street.

Travelling jewellers were common in the nineteenth century and two such businessmen, Smith & Gamble travelled in Limerick in January 1826 and set up their stall in Swinburn’s Rooms on Brunswick (Sarsfield) Street, open from 11am to 9pm.

These days similar shops would be described as ‘pop-up shops’. Smith and Gamble were gold and silversmiths of 31 & 32 Exchequer Street, Dublin.

Among their products was a ‘splendid French clock – one of the finest and most finished articles in Ireland… it is a perfect time-keeper, goes 14 days, and plays Mozart’s Grand Overture in the Marriage of Figaro.

Ten years later, Mr Glover, watchmaker and jeweller at the Commercial Buildings, Patrick Street informed the nobility, gentry and public that he had a great variety of lever and vertical watches for sale; also, eight-day clocks and exquisite jewellery.

Glover also advised that he ‘gives the highest price in cash for old gold, silver, diamonds, brass, copper, or lead.’

One is reminded of modern day ‘cash for gold’ shops.

By 1847, advances in electro-plating and gilding technology had developed sufficiently to allow ‘bronze and plated ware to be replaced and rendered to appear as new’.

Such methods were carried out by Richard W Smith of 14, Grafton Street who travelled to Limerick in February of that year to offer his services at Mr Wallace’s jewellers of 125 George Street. Perhaps, the need for thriftiness arose from the straitened times that emerged as a consequence of the Great Famine.

The aptly named Henry Sterling, watchmaker, jeweller, and silversmith of 115, George Street was also a Masonic brother.

In 1870, ahead of the annual North Munster Masonic Ball, Sterling apprised the ‘Worshipful Brethren, the Provincial Grand Officers, and the Stewards attending the ball that they could be supplied with masonic jewels, scarfs, and aprons from his establishment.’

In the present day, reviews of websites and services are a common feature of retail, although these testimonials may have their origin in the nineteenth century.

For instance, in April 1882 FGC Probart, colonel, 1st Norfolk Regt publicly endorsed Thomas Mason Stewart, watchmaker and jeweller of 12 Cecil Street: ‘he has done a good deal of work for me during my stay in the city… he repaired my watch which baffled all the other watchmakers who tried it, and it has kept capital time ever since.’

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Over the years, one of the best-known jewellers in Limerick were the Irwin family of Patrick Street who opened their business in 1897, the family name dates back to a previous jeweller’s business then trading in Roches Street as A Irwin.

In 1907, Jack Irwin married Miss Mary Josephine Carr, daughter of Joseph Carr, merchant of Patrick Street. He presented her with a diamond and sapphire ring and a gold watch bracelet.

While some of the city’s best-known jewellers have ceased trading in recent years including Irwin’s of Patrick Street and Fine’s of O’Connell Street, the industry continues to be well represented in Limerick.

Modern day jewellers in the city include Keane’s, JA Daly’s, JJ Kennelly & Sons, and Matthew Stephens to name a few.

These establishments continue to supply sparkling diamonds, gold jewellery, shining silver and stylish earrings to the people of Limerick, thereby continuing a tradition that began hundreds of years ago.

Dr Paul O’Brien lectures at Mary Immaculate College.