The Happy Ring House

Welcome to McDowells Jewellers, also known as the Happy Ring House, located in Dublin. We are a family-owned and operated business that has been providing exceptional service and quality jewellery to our customers for over 150 years.

We specialize in engagement rings and wedding bands, and our experienced team is passionate about helping our customers find the perfect piece to celebrate their love. We offer a wide range of diamond and gemstone jewellery, including necklaces, earrings, bracelets as well as luxury watches.

McDowells Jewellers is affectionately known as the "Happy Ring House" dues to its reputation for helping customers find their perfect engagement ring to celebrate their love and commitment. The store's extensive collection of engagement rings includes a wide range of styles and designs to suit every taste and budget, and their team of experienced professionals is dedicated to providing personalised service to help customers find their ring of their dreams.

Our History

Founded in 1870 by William McDowell the ‘Happy Ring House’ originally was in Mary Street and moved to No 3 Sackville Street in 1902 making it the longest established business on what is now called O’Connell Street Dublin.

Completely destroyed and looted during the 1916 uprising No 3 was rebuilt in 1917 using some of the original girders for the General Post Office. During the height of the conflict centred around the GPO, William McDowell and the porter made a dash from the premises to Cathedral Street a distance of some fifty yards and in that distance William was shot in the leg and sadly the porter was shot dead.

The Happy Ring House has a long standing tradition in Dublin, that you meet your intended by the pillar and then proceeded to the ‘Happy Ring House’ to buy that special diamond ring followed by a celebratory drink in the Gresham or tea in Wynns Hotel.

In 2020, Weir & Sons Jewellers acquired McDowells Jewellers and continue the ‘Happy Ring House’ legacy with Nicola McDowell Grandniece of Jack McDowell still involved in the everyday running of the store. It is a very exciting time for the business with the introduction of some new brands to the store and welcoming back some much-loved familiar brands along with our largest ever selection of engagement rings to view at our first-floor dedicated diamond ring room that overlooks O’Connell street boulevard at tree level along with a magical view of Dublin's GPO. With a planned expansion of a new watch store destination next door at number 4 which will almost double the retail space. 

Coming soon, a new transactional website allowing people all over the world to purchase a sentimental gift from the iconic McDowells for a loved one near or far. O’Connell Street is set to be restored to its former status of one of the great streets in Ireland and a destination for shopping and tourist attractions. This historic street will come alive again with the rejuvenation of the new Clery’s Quarter and the Hammerson development, Chris Andrews MD “McDowells Jewellers are pleased to be part of the future of O’Connell Street rejuvenation and these significant developments in Dublin city we are committed to bringing a luxury watch and jewellery destination to Dublin’s O’Connell Street “.

The Happy Ring House

Founded in 1870 by William McDowell the ‘Happy Ring House’ originally was in Mary Street and moved to Sackville Street in 1902 making it the longest established business on what is now called O’Connell Street Dublin. Completely destroyed and looted during the 1916 uprising it was rebuilt in 1917 using some of the original girders for the General Post Office. 

 

During the height of the conflict centred around the GPO, William McDowell and the porter made a dash from the premises to Cathedral Street a distance of some fifty yards and in that distance William was shot in the leg and sadly the porter was shot dead.

 

However, the next family generation enjoyed great prosperity from 1935 to 1976 headed by Jack McDowell who achieved notoriety in 1947 when his horse ‘Caughoo’ won the Aintree Grand National amidst a shroud of controversy at the amazing odds of 100-1.

 

Over 145 years on we are now in the fourth generation of family and the ‘Happy Ring House’ still offers that same unique and special experience in choosing your engagement ring.

 

Illustration of Weir & Sons buildingIllustration of Weir & Sons building

         

A Place Where Expectation Meets Reality

We offer an exceptional service to help you make your luxury purchase. Whether you're looking to find your perfect engagement ring, a luxury watch or a spectacular jewellery piece, we are committed to making your experience a memorable one. Book an appointment with our knowledgeable staff. Visit The Happy Ring House, to experience how expectation meets reality. 

 

Our Workshops

Our Jewellery workshop and Watch workshop are both filled with wonder, where craft has been passed down from generation to generation, and beloved pieces from all over the country come to be revived. Our watch workshop looks after battery replacements and watch servicing. We are now an official Rolex Authorised Service Centre which means that three Rolex-trained watchmakers and a technician will offer a first-class service to your timepiece in-store. Our jewellery workshop covers everything from jewellery repairs, engravings, pearl restringing, remounting rings to creating bespoke pieces. Discover the craftsmanship that makes our workshops some of the finest in Dublin. 

 

The Jewellery Workshop in Weir & SonsThe Jewellery Workshop in Weir & Sons

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