Old Tea rooms

mattjack

Has anyone ever heard of an old tea shop in the Abbey street area Dublin ? possibly called the China tea rooms.

Thanks.

spurious

There were the China Showrooms where the LUAS stop is now, but in my day it was a place sold crockery.

It's possible they had a previous life as a Tea Rooms. Roughly what timeframe are you thinking of?

mattjack

spurious wrote: »

There were the China Showrooms where the LUAS stop is now, but in my day it was a place sold crockery.

It's possible they had a previous life as a Tea Rooms. Roughly what timeframe are you thinking of?

Thanks for the reply.
I found a small two handled cup , marked underneath "made by Arklow Pottery for Dublin Tea Rooms".Arklow pottery opened in the 30s and closed in '89.I was just looking for a little info.

Thanks MJ

Lollymcd

The China Showrooms were a bargain type place similar to Guiney's. They closed about five years ago I think and there is a €2 shop there now.

mattjack

Thanks
mj

jeckle

The China Showrooms premises ended up as a bargain store. The original China Showrooms had been the oldest china & crystal company in the country (established in the 1920's), & was always slightly better value than the likes of Switzers & Arnotts, & American tourists (especially) used to flock there. For quite a while before they ceased trading they just sold end of lines, but at some stage in the 90's the premises turned into a bargain store. I doubt very much if the China Showrooms has any connection with the cup.

With regard to the cup, for anything like this to have been commissioned & stamped, it would have had to have been a pretty upmarket establisment. I have an idea that it may have been related to the Gresham Hotel, who had an afternoon tea facility back in the 50's & 60's, like for example the Clarence Hotel have now. The Clarence has been around since 1852, & they do have the Tea Room Restaurant now, but this may have been in existence before 1989, & I don't know if they had Tea Rooms in the past.

There is a concierge in the Gresham who has been working there for about 35 or 40 years. I have sent you his name via PM, & he will be on duty after 1.30pm tomorrow (Tuesday), in case you wanted to ring & speak to him. He might be of some help.

mattjack

Thank you all for the replies,greatly appreciated .

MJ