Arnotts Celebrates 175 Years with Big Blue Birthday

Since 1843, Arnotts has been Dublin's department store for all things small and big, and now they're ready to celebrate 175 years in business.

The team at Arnotts welcomes everyone to join in for the official Big Blue Birthday, which will take place this Thursday 17th May. The iconic store is set to celebrate the past, the present and the future with an all-day party that is jam-packed with fun activities for all the family.

Early risers will see Ryan Tubridy broadcast his RTÉ radio morning show live from 9am-10am at the Henry Street entrance, followed by talented Irish illustrator Conor Merriman who will be in-store from 11am-4pm. Having designed his bespoke and Limited Edition Arnotts prints, which can be seen in the current window displays and throughout the store, Conor will be on hand in the 1843 Store signing copies of the beautiful designs.

The celebrations continue with live performances from the renowned Function Band between 12-4pm, while simultaneously Ireland's Got Talent star Jamie Skelton will entertain the younger guests, performing walk-around close-up magic, card tricks and more throughout the store between 1-4pm. During the day, Clodagh’s Kitchen and Homemade will play host to singing waiters Riah & Marco, ready to entertain unsuspecting diners at Arnotts with a musical experience like no other.

As the sun begins to set, Dublin-born Melina Malone will entertain customers with an unmissable performance of classic soul and R&B choices from 4-8pm.

Wines Direct will offer a pop up Bubbles Bar, giving customers a tasty choice of five sparkling wines, available by the glass, to enjoy in their seated fine wine room, which will be open throughout the day. Chef and Restaurateur Derry Clarke will also step into the Miele Kitchen in the lower basement cooking up culinary classics at 6pm.

The weekend will also be in full swing, as on Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th May, live band The Swing Cats will perform in-store between 11:30am-4:00pm, that's fun for all the family.

For the little ones, they'll love the personalised tote bag workshop by Imaginosity, that will run all weekend from 11:30am-3:30pm. And to really brighten up those little faces, face painting will take place in the Childrenswear department on 19th, 20th, 26th and 27th May.

Traditional music will also take place as MAMO take stage between 11am-4pm on Saturday 19th May, then Slide Step perform a unique dance combining traditional Irish dance and modern hip hop on Sunday 20th May.

If jewellery tickles your fancy, Irish jewellery designer Chupi Sweetman of Chupi will be in the 1843 Store from 11am-2pm on Saturday 26th May. Designing bespoke Limited Edition 'Your North Star' necklaces, this will be a very special gift to mark the Arnotts milestone birthday.

In addition to all of the above, the 1843 Tea Rooms will also offer a Victorian inspired afternoon tea, as well as the newly curated Arnotts 175 Museum space, which recalls the history of Arnotts over the last 175 years.

Join in the celebrations and share your experience by using #DublinTown and #Arnotts175