Arnotts celebrates 175th anniversary with in-store museum

By

Barbara Santamaria

Published
May 15, 2018

Dublin department store Arnotts is celebrating 175 years since it opened the doors of its store on Henry Street with a series of unique activities including an in-store museum.

The luxury department store, owned by Selfridges, is also set to embark on an €11 million upgrade project to refresh its beauty halls and restaurant facilities, as well as its IT systems.

The schedule of activities to celebrate its 175th anniversary has included an evening attended by a host of celebrities such as fashion designer Caroline Kilkenny, jewellery designer Chupi Sweetman, Irish broadcaster and journalist Lorraine Keane, influencer Louise Cooney and Irish presenter Sybil Mulcahy. 

It marked the launch of a special exhibition curated by the Little Museum of Dublin which tells the story of Arnotts since its opening in 1843. Set adjacent to the furniture department, the in-store museum displays a range of items covering its history, from the jersey worn by footballer Charlie Redmond during the 1995 All-Ireland football final, to photographs capturing the legendary 1963 visit of the Beatles.

The store’s windows have been also transformed to represent the various stories of the brand through the years, including changes in the building, the Arnotts logo and changing fashion trends.

The department store has also opened a Victorian inspired Afternoon tea experience and a pop-up 1843 store, and has collaborated with a number of designers and creatives on a range of commemorative pieces.

It will be celebrating its 175th anniversary throughout the month.