Write a comment
Celebration was the order of the day yesterday, 20 March when a Newry institution celebrated a very special anniversary.
On Monday 20 March 1972 Jack and Pat Murphy opened their Jewellers shop on Hill Street in the city. Fifty years later to the day the couple and their family held a party in Jack Murphy Jewellers to celebrate the golden milestone.
Family, friends and customers turned up in huge numbers, a testament not just to the popularity of the shop but of the family behind it! A cake was cut to mark the occasion followed by a Happy Birthday rendition sung by those present to the delight of Jack and Pat Murphy.
Jack Murphy started his trade at just 14 as an apprentice watchmaker and moved into jewellery while still in his teens. The early days saw a retail presence in Downpatrick followed by the opening of a Newry branch in 1972. Over the years he took on the prestigious roles of President of the Ulster Jewellers Association, President of the Retail Jewellers Ireland, President of Newry Chamber and President of Newry Rotary Club. Although now semi-retired he still takes a keen interest in the business now managed by his daughter Gemma.
Jack Murphy Jewellers took advantage of the Covid-19 lockdown to expand their premises at a time when trading was difficult. Now the shop has an additional 2,760sq ft of retail and office space at the landmark corner of Margaret Square and Hill Street.
With the business still very much a family concern this part of Hill Street in Newry is in safe hands for the next 50 years and beyond.
