J.M. Barnardo & Son Ltd., is the world’s oldest furriers with a tradition that spans over six generations designing and manufacturing the ultimate fashionable furs and garments for collection and exclusive wear. The business was first established as far back as 1812.

I have always had a fascination for this luxurious shop just across from the Molly Malone statue at the bottom of Grafton Street, so my friend and I decided to pay it a visit.

The first thing you encounter on arrival is the tight security, you have to be buzzed in by the staff – probably because of the valuable stock inside and ongoing protests by anti-fur activists.

One surprising thing is the size of the shop, from the street it looks quite small but it actually takes up five floors. W

I spoke with a lovely lady called Caroline who has been working here for 39 years. Caroline informed me that 90% of the clientele are Irish which surprised me, as I had always thought the whole business centred around our visiting tourists, especially the Americans.

Most of the fur comes from Scandinavia and the animals that provide this beautiful natural material are farmed Fox, Mink, Squirrel and Musquash or Muskrat. All the garments in the shop are designed by Barnardos in-house designer

From time to time Animal Rights Protesters show up at the shop to run riot with their passionate views on the fur trade but Barnardo’s turn a blind eye and are still continuing to trade. Business has been unaffected although I do think it does require audacity to wear such a rich garment in public these days.

Everyone has their own opinion and beliefs about this type of trading in furs, leather etc… but I found my fur shop visit very fascinating and it seems that Barnardo’s are standing the test of time in these dark days of recession.