A place in the heart

Boyers and Co. is a subsidiary of Arnotts, Dublin's oldest and largest department store, which was established in 1843 by Sir John Arnott. Given its 167 years trading, Arnotts boasts an illustrious past. Whether it be stories of Padraig Pearse, leader of the 1916 Easter Rising, stopping off to settle his Arnotts account before heading round the corner to storm the General Post Office, or of Jean Shrimpton, the first supermodel to wear a miniskirt, causing a near riot when she turned up to the opening of Arnotts Southside branch wearing her trademark skimpy attire, the company indeed boasts a colorful history.

In 1961, under the tutelage of the company directors, William Nesbitt, James Fagan, Major Alec Nesbitt, Patrick O’ Connor, Tennyson Lee and Ronald Nesbitt, the Arnotts company acquired Boyers Limited of North Earl Street, which then became known as Boyers and Co. At the time of the takeover, net profit in Boyers trading company had virtually disappeared which may account for the enthusiastic reception the takeover received from Ivan Hart, the then managing director of Boyers Trading Company.

By 1970, with the advent of a new Shoe Department and after much needed investment, Boyers had expanded from its original 11 departments up to 21, including a new café. This rapid growth was achieved through the £50,000 purchase of 17 North Earl Street, which extended Boyers frontage on the street and incorporated the opening yard and buildings on Cathedral Street. This resulted in a rectangular ground floor which flowed from North Earl Street to Cathedral Street.

Throughout the 1970s, Boyers and Co. expanded even more with the acquisition of a hotel in Marlborough Street resulting in the store’s current and distinctive L-shaped design with three levels in Marlborough Street and two in North Earl Street.

As one of Ireland’s oldest department stores, Boyers is also one of its most successful, enjoying a prime location in Dublin’s retail heart. Our success is due to a comprehensive selection of quality products and merchandise, backed by a courteous and efficient staff base whose primary concern is providing excellent customer service.

Boyers & Co. has always placed an important emphasis on providing customers with a range of useful and specialised services. These include: