The Happy Ring House, McDowells Jewellers,3 O'Connell Street Upper, North City, Dublin 1, D01 CD9, Eire, Ireland

Founded in 1870 by William McDowell the ‘Happy Ring House’ originally was on 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.