Clerys was founded as one of the world’s first purpose built department stores on Dublin’s main street, O’Connell Street, in 1853. Over the years it has witnessed many of the most significant historical events in the foundation of the State. Clerys main store is a listed building due to its architectural significance and historic role in the City.

In 1941 the shop was purchased by a local draper Mr. Denis Guiney who ran the enormously successful retail emporium of Guineys on Talbot Street. He brought the philosophy of high volumes and low prices formula to the Clerys Store and transformed it into Ireland's premier shopping destination, bustling with shopper's assured of good quality merchandise at great prices. Mr. Guiney passed away in 1967 leaving the running of the store to his late wife, Mrs. Mary Guiney who survived her husband until 2004. Today the business continues to be run by the Board of Directors on behalf of the shareholders who are mainly relatives of Denis and Mary Guiney.

A complete refurbishment of the store was completed in 2004 at a cost of €22m. Focusing on the needs of the modern customer, each floor was totally revamped to offer customers a truly modern shopping experience while keeping in mind the heritage and architecture of the store. The store retains many listed structures including a marble staircase, columns, decorative plasterwork and original joinery.

2004 also saw finalisation of the redevelopment of O’Connell Street by the City Council with enhanced pedestrian spaces and new alignments of granite cut paving. The Spire of Dublin now rises 120 meters high outside the store on the O’Connell Street Plaza, at the heart of Dublin and opposite the General Post Office.   

The myriad of brands available in Clerys is one of the reasons why the store remains so popular to this day. It caters for all tastes and is Ireland's only full line Department Store.

In October 2006, Clerys opened its third Home Furnishings store in the Globe Retail Park, Naas, which adds to existing furnishings branches in Leopardstown and Blanchardstown, which opened in 1997 and 1999 respectively. These stores, along with our existing furnishings department in Clerys, are devoted to providing a unique range of high quality furnishings from all over the world.

In 2006, the O’Connell Street store was awarded the ‘Best Independent Department Store’ award in Britain and Ireland by Drapers magazine, a noted trade and industry publication. The store's success at the awards ceremony is testament to the appeal of the store and why thousands of customers come through the doors every day in the expectation of receiving superior quality products, brands and service at best prices.

Most recently Clerys was the recipient of the Green Retailer of the year 2010 award.