“Making Christmas for Everyone” Dunnes Stores Cornelscourt - Celebration Weekend

11 November 2019

Dunnes Stores has a lot to celebrate.  The much loved retailer is now number one food retailer in Ireland and has consistently award winning products at both local and global levels including a recent win at the IQFAs when Dunnes was announced Retailer of the Year.  And where better to celebrate than at their state of the art flagship store in Cornelscourt. Just three years on from the successful unveiling of the re-developed state-of-the-art store, the store has rightfully become a major destination shopping experience for shoppers in Dublin, Wicklow and even further afield.  Lovers of great food and fashion have been flocking to Cornelscourt to experience this exciting and innovative shopping experience. which was created in collaboration with some of the leading Irish names in food, fashion, and homeware - all under one roof, and all delivering on the Dunnes Stores award winning promise of better value. 

What makes the store so special is the unique range and choice it constantly offers to its customers, through the Dunnes Stores brand which offers great value and quality as well as the  exclusive fashion and home collections from household names such as Paul Costelloe, Francis Brennan, Lennon Courtney, Carolyn Donnelly, Paul Galvin, Helen James, Helen Steele, Joanne Hynes, Leigh Tucker’s wonderful Children’s Collection, Willow and Michael Mortell, all under one roof.  Together with Dunnes Stores Savida and Gallery brands as well as the full collection from Dunnes Stores other fashion and homeware ranges creates unrivaled and exciting customer choice. 

Another big magnet for shoppers to Dunnes Stores Cornelscourt is the world class Food Hall, home to artisan food producers such as Sheridans Cheesemongers, James Whelan Butchers, the Alternative Bread Company; as well as Irish health food store, Nourish. The Food Hall also boasts the full range from the multi-award winning Simply Better Collection. 

Arriving just in time for the weekend, will be Ireland’s favourite chef Neven Maguire’s new Cookware Collection, which is exclusive to Dunnes Stores. Neven is marking the arrival of his exclusive collection with a very special Cookery Demo on Thursday 21st November at 6pm, which will be the start of a very special “Making Christmas for Everyone” celebration weekend running from Thursday 21st to Sunday 24th November.

Gerry Finglas, Dunnes Stores Cornelscourt Manager stated “It’s been a very special time for us and also for Dunnes Stores as a whole. We are officially Ireland’s number one Food Retailer, just recently we have been awarded Irish Retailer of the Year, we brought home numerous national and international awards in 2019 and this year also marks the 75th anniversary of the business and the 53th anniversary of Cornelscourt. In 1966 when Cornelscourt first opened, it was way ahead of its time, thanks to the vision of our founder Ben Dunne Senior. He would be so proud to see how far we have come and the beautiful store that we have today in Cornelscourt, still keeping our  reputation for being ahead of our time with the quality selection for fashion, home and food - working in collaboration with Ireland’s best designers and most celebrated food producers”.

Gerry added, “As well as a shopping destination, it has always been a very popular meeting point with easy access from the M50 and South Dublin, with lots of free parking, free wifi and a choice of three cafes including Baxter & Greene Market Deli, Dunnes Cafe  and Cafe Sol. There is such a lovely village feel to the Centre, which also has Peter Mark Hair Salon, Rafferty’s Pharmacy, Appassionata Flowers, even our own Oratory for the community on site. People have so many reasons to visit, catching up with friends, and at the same time getting everything they need for their families all under one roof.”

Commenting on the plans for the “Making Christmas for Everyone” weekend, Gerry added “Before the festive season begins in earnest we wanted to organise a special weekend to say thank you to our customers and our hard working team.  Our customers and our team are a big reason why Cornelscourt has been such a phenomenal success since we first opened our doors back in 1966 and they are as proud of our special store as we are.”

The celebrations will include very special fashion shows on Saturday 23rd November, which will be hosted by two of Ireland’s most loved and respected designers and personalities, Brendan Courtney and Sonya Lennon. As well as showcasing their own Lennon Courtney collection, which is exclusive to Dunnes Stores, there will be the collections from Dunnes Stores own brands Gallery,  Savida and the Dunnes Stores brand along with all the other exclusive designers.

Joining in the celebrations will be the “Move 4 Parkinson’s” Choir, who will be performing in store on Friday 22nd November.  There will also be a wide range of activities in the state-of-the-art food hall, where some of Ireland’s leading food producers will be on hand to meet customers and to invite them to sample some of their signature and award winning products. Added to this, there will be plenty of surprise giveaways throughout the weekend, yet another way of saying thank you to everyone for all their support this year and since 1966.

Gerry and his team are also organising lots of kid friendly activities throughout the weekend. There are plans for a very special guest, Santa Claus, and some of his elves, to call in store over the weekend to celebrate with everyone. On the Family Day on Sunday 24th there will be Puppet Shows, Mini Yoga for Kids and a special reading of The Dolls Complaints Children's Book.  

As Sunday will be all about family and home, taking to the stage will be designer, Helen James, sharing her wisdom and expertise on entertaining at Christmas and available to chat to shoppers on a one to one basis. Designer Michael Mortell will also be in store on the day, showcasing his latest home collection, exclusive to Dunnes Stores and chatting on stage about how he prepares his home for Christmas.

More details on the schedule of activities and events for the festive weekend will be announced over the coming week and these will be available through Facebook and Instagram.