Dubliners will finally be able to meet under the famous Clerys' clock again after it was restored to its former glory and unveiled yesterday.
The iconic clock has been modernised as part of a restoration of the department store that closed eight years ago.
The Cork horologist who created the clock from scratch with his late father in 1990 said he hoped it would resume its place as a meeting point in the city centre.
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Speaking before unveiling the clock yesterday, Philip Stokes, owner of Stokes Clocks, said they had given "the whole thing a serious facelift".
He said: "The Clerys' Clock is part of Stokes Clocks’ history since my late father, and I made the original in 1990.
“It is an iconic clock that is very much the heart and the soul of Dublin, and the history of Dublin is very much part of us at Stokes Clocks.
“When commissioned to restore it our brief was to bring it back to the original.”
He added: “We restored the hands and the roman numerals with gold leaf, and we modernised the mechanical system to keep it going for the next 100 years.
“We are delighted to be associated with and proud of our continued work on the Clerys' Clock. I think the Clerys link will reform and rekindle as the place to meet in Dublin."
Visitors to the city, as well as locals, used the clock as a meeting point.
Mr Stokes said the clock was "a real iconic feature on the street", and said he believed it would resume its status as the place to meet in Dublin.
"It's such a beautiful building and then the clock draws your eye to the building because it sticks out if you're walking down. To people from the country and from the city, it's always been the place to meet.
He added: "I've had dealings with a couple who... met and got engaged under the clock. So a lot of history there, a lot of people would say they've good memories of it."
The clock's unveiling came ahead of an exhibition that opens on Wednesday at Clerys, which has been at the O'Connell Street site since the 1850s.
The exhibition called Clerys: The Archives, includes documents, objects, and images which tell the story of the iconic Dublin landmark.
The display will also feature rescued artefacts dating back to as far back as 1847 along with images and stories about the department store throughout the years.
Some artefacts include financial documents and licences to sell tobacco and sugar during World War 2
The free exhibition will also feature a number of personal stories from the documentary “Under the Clock”.
Speaking about the exhibition, historian Caitlin White said: “I am delighted that Clerys: The Archives is now on display at Clerys Quarter.
“It's a brilliant opportunity for people to come and visit the different artefacts and documents that are on display, some dating back to 1847.
“It's an accessible, free exhibition for visitors in one of Dublin's iconic landmarks and I'd encourage everyone to come to Clerys Quarter, whether it's to learn something new or share your memories of Clerys.
“I'm really proud to be part of the story of Clerys and to continue to tell the stories of Clerys for the next phase of its history.”
One woman who met her husband under the clock previously said: “When I was stood up, I spoke with everybody else who was stood up at Clerys.”
While John Crowe, who worked in the Department Store for 46 years, said he had his own fond memories of revellers patiently waiting under the clock for their date.
He told The Irish Times: “I remember in my young days hoovering the floors up there and I used to look out the window and there would be somebody waiting on the girlfriend.
“And then an hour later, I’d go out and open the window and say ‘oh you better go, she’s not turned up. Come back tomorrow’ … everybody met at the Clerys clock.”
While another man said: “The one time, I arranged to meet a girl under Clerys' Clock, she didn’t turn up. The girl beside me, her fella didn’t turn up so we took off together. Clerys' Clock was the place to meet.”
While another woman said meeting Thin Lizzy star Phil Lynott while waiting on her boyfriend under the clock is one of her happiest memories.
She said: “I was to meet a boyfriend, I was about 15 or 16. We were going to the pictures but Phil Lynott walked by with his wife and I spent about 20 minutes talking to Phil Lynott and the boy I was to meet I had no interest in whatsoever.
“He didn’t get a look in because gorgeous Phil was there. All I was talking about for the whole night was Phil Lynott so needless to say I never met that boy again.”
The refurbished store is due to open this year, featuring a Flannels, H&M, a Press Up-run, and a snazzy rooftop bar.
Lord Mayor of Dublin Caroline Conroy, who was at the launch yesterday, said it was "tremendous news for the city".
She said: The Clerys building is an iconic Dublin landmark, and it is tremendous news for the city to see it restored to its full glory.”
The Lord Mayor said the Clerys Exhibition charts “the exceptional history of this building and its role in the centre of Dublin life for generations.”
She said: "Particular credit is due to the skilled craftspeople who have worked so painstakingly to renovate the building and to the owners for their efforts in bringing new life to this important landmark which will bring new retail, hospitality, and employment opportunities to the area."
There was controversy in June 2015 when the Clerys department store closed and more than 400 jobs were lost.
Labour Party workers' rights spokeswoman Senator Marie Sherlock on Tuesday called on the developers to ensure good jobs are provided for workers from the local community and those formerly employed on the site.
The redevelopment includes the restoration of Clerys' colonnaded facade, internal staircases, columns and ceilings, new office space, and an events venue, as well as a refurbishment of Clerys' original restaurant, The Tea Rooms.
The overall Clerys Quarter scheme is being delivered by Europa Capital in partnership with Core Capital and Oakmount.
Derek McGrath, CEO of Core Capital said: “As one of the world’s first purpose-built department stores, Clerys became an Irish institution – we, as developers feel privileged to be instrumental in the restoration of this iconic building breathing new life into O’Connell Street.
“Uniquely located on Dublin’s premier thoroughfare and centred around the restoration of the historic former Clerys department store, Clerys Quarter will combine both traditional elements and modern concepts to create a new city centre destination that will regenerate Dublin’s landmark street.”
He added: “As destination retailers, anchor tenants Flannels and H&M will attract significant footfall to both the development and the wider area.
“Tenants of this calibre combined with the exciting panoramic roof-top food and beverage offering from Press-Up group will provide consumers with a unique shopping experience in the city centre.
“We look forward to opening our doors to the public later this year."
The free exhibition will run from Wednesday until January 30.
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