*PICTURED: Christy and Loyola Collins, founders of Collins Jewellers
COLLINS Jewellers is celebrating its golden anniversary, having expertly served the people of Clare and beyond in the heart of Ennis for the last 50 years.
A family business through and through, the fabric of Collins’ success is made up of excellent customer service, quality craftsmanship and expertise in jewellery which has made them a trusted location for wedding rings, engagement rings and occasion jewellery.
Jewellery’s strong association with love and special occasions is appropriate when it comes to Collins Jewellers founders, Christy and Loyola. Their journey began when they worked as colleagues in Maurer’s Jewellers on O’Connell Street many moons ago, before the pair established Collins Jewellers in 1973 on Parnell Street. The family business moved to 61 O’Connell Street in 1973 and in 1976 they purchased 63 O’Connell Street, where the prominent business stands today.
Set in a prime location across from the famous Old Ground Hotel, since then the shop has been extended and refurbished a number of times to stay in touch with developments in the jewellery trade.
Collins’ are at heart a family business, designing and manufacturing their own bespoke diamond pieces at the in-house workshop. Clarecastle native Christy and Crusheen woman Loyola – whose respective fathers coincidentally both served as gardai – became parents to a boy and two girls, and were soon joined by their son Tadg who is a qualified jeweller and hand engraver, and now managing director of the business.
The shop attracts customers from primarily Clare, Limerick and Galway while many more travel from across the country to Collins Jewellers when choosing the all-important engagement pieces. Loyola says of the business, “We have consciously created an environment which is relaxed and spacious allowing our customers time and space when choosing a piece of jewellery.”
Collins Jewellers has a strong returning customer base and perhaps what’s most impressive about the family business is the longevity of its staff, and the family’s strong involvement. Tadg’s sister Jan (53) has been involved with the business for 26 years, having previously run the family opticians which was located upstairs. Christy (84) and Loyola (85) remain heavily involved in the business while Tadg’s son, 21-year-old Tim is next in the line of Collins family jewellers. Jan’s son Luke, a quantity surveying student, looks after the business’s social media accounts.
There are nine working at Collins’ Jewellers including Christy and Loyola, and included in their staff ranks is Christine Corbett from Sixmilebridge, who is in her 50th year working in the business having joined at the age of 16. Other notable members include Tulla native Maureen Corbett – no relation – who has been with the Collins family for 37 years and Edel Shannon who is with the team eight years.
Tadg (55) and his team take pride in creating custom-made jewellery, particularly wedding rings and engagement rings, an intimate process which involves creating and designing a piece from scratch with the customer. “It’s all I ever wanted to do,” admits Tadg. “We were here since we were kids. Once I finished school at 17, I was straight in.”
Outside of work, Tadg is known for his association with Clarecastle GAA club where he heads up the development committee while Jan is involved with the swimming club and is secretary of Clare Water Safety. Having grown up with the business, Tadg and Jan’s strongest memories include the bedlam of Christmas Eve and the family all rolling up their sleeves on the busiest shopping day of the year. Jan quips that their children’s Santa toys continue to be hidden in a secret upstairs location before being brought home on Christmas Eve, just as their parents did before them.
Jan notes that they are very grateful for their very loyal support, with many customers following in their parents’ footsteps to purchase engagement rings and wedding rings at Collins’. Tadg adds, “Our customers are very loyal – we’d like to thank them all for their support over the years.”
Collins’ sell a range of jewellery to suit all budgets from €25 while they also offer watch repair service. Engagement rings to suit all budgets are also available. To celebrate 50 years in business, they are running a diamond promotion with 25% off all stock. Visit Collins Jewellers on O’Connell Street or call them on 065 68 24490. Email collinsjewellers@yahoo.com.
