About us:
The Association of Fine jewellers was established in 1966, with the simple view of bringing
together a group of jewellers who would work together for the “betterment” of the industry
in Ireland. It was then called the National Retail Watchmakers and Jewellers Association.
The Association celebrated its 50th year in 2016 and while the identity & personnel have
altered, the main core values have remained the same in encouraging our members
to be specialist jewellers with the highest education, ethical and professional standards.
Today the Association of Fine Jewellers represents 150 of the best small to medium sized
retail jewellers on the island of Ireland, many of whom are 2nd and 3rd generation families
steeped in the local communities for years.
1966 The National Retail Watchmakers and Jewellers Association
1973 The Retail Jewellers of Ireland
2017 The Association of Fine Jewellers
President Richard Wehrly of Wehrly Bros Sligo (elected March 2016) was our
youngest ever president at 30 years of age and he orchestrated a total re-brand of the
Association with one key difference to previous years.
While the Association continues to offer a wide range of educational programmes for both
owners and staff and be a representative group for its members, the importance of the digital
age we now live in; how the customer has changed now takes centre stage
We aim to provide consumers with better information and education about diamonds and
fine jewellery both in-store and in a digital context that makes purchasing jewellery as your
next gift as easy and as seamless as possible.
Richard recently commented “Our members have generations of experience and through
our retail education programmes and instore marketing tools, the Association of Fine
Jewellers enables members to communicate and share their expertise with customers to
guide them in their purchases from their first ‘love stop’ in life; whether a promise ring or
engagement ring, through all the family occasions where a piece of jewellery really
matters.”
The Association’s members endeavour to :
1. Set the standard for Professionalism & Knowledge within the Irish Jewellery Industry
2. Be recognised as a group of best-in-class providers of Diamonds, wedding rings and
precious jewellery
3. Offer a trustworthy repair and after sales service that can only be delivered by
experienced watchmakers, diamond setters and goldsmiths.
4. Distinguish ourselves from others with professional personnel who have excellent
product knowledge and customer service.
Past Presidents
1966 – 1968: Douglas Wm. Loane, Cork.
1968 – 1970: Louis G. Kerr, Wexford.
1970 – 1972: Louis Fine, Limerick.
1972 – 1973: Mr. W.R. Hill, Cork & Killarney.
1973 – 1974: Mr. Tom Heine, Waterford.
1974 – 1976: Harry Foley, Cork.
1976 – 1977: Ken Tucker, Carlow.
1977 – 1978: Stephen Ryan, Limerick.
1978 – 1980: Gerard Keane, Cork.
1980 – 1982: Jack Murphy, Newry, County Down.
1982 – 1984: Pat Bramley, Carlow.
1984 – 1985: Brendan Whelan, Dublin.
1985 – 1988: Maureen Cahalan, Ballinasloe, County Galway.
1988 – 1990: Paul Barber, Birr, County Offaly.
1990 – 1992: George Sheffield, Athlone, County Westmeath.
1992 – 1994: Seamus Costello, Kilkenny.
1994 – 1996: Mary Bourke, Enniscorthy, County Wexford.
1996 – 1998: Billy Nolan, Tralee, County Kerry.
1998 – 2000: Aidan Farell, Roscommon.
2000 – 2002: Frank Hynes, Wexford.
2002 – 2004: Miriam Foley, Cork.
2004 – 2006: James Murtagh, Westport, County Mayo.
2006 – 2008: Eileen Moore, Cork.
2008 – 2010: Damian Duggan, Dublin.
2010 – 2012: Tony Cahill, Tullamore.
2012 – 2014: Ivan Tucker, Carlow.
2014 – 2016: Alison Browne, Portlaoise
2016 – 2018: Richard Wehrly, Sligo
2018 – 2020: Fionagh Ryan, LImerick