Ken Tucker (Douglas Jewellers) together with his son Ivan (third proper) and daughter Wendy (third left) and workers members (l-r), Stuart Graham, Ellen Hayden, Tom Brennan, Mairead Moore, Gillian Sierokosz and Veronica Graham. Picture: michaelorourkephotography.ie

Ken Tucker age 92 of Douglas Jewellers engraves a trophy in his jewellers on Tullow Road in Carlow. Picture: michaelorourkephotography.ie

Picture: michaelorourkephotography.ie

By Elizabeth Lee

“I’m 70 years right here and I’m as eager as ever! I really like what I do and so long as my well being permits me, I’ll proceed to work right here,” stated Ken Tucker who’s celebrating seven a long time in enterprise as proprietor of Douglas Jewellers on Tullow Road, Carlow.

Ken, who turned 92 this years, dons his swimsuit day-after-day to work alongside his son, Ivan who took over the enterprise in 1990 and his daughter, Wendy, alongside different workers members.

Ken first took over Douglas Jewellers in 1952 after his father Dick, purchased the enterprise from George Douglas. He’s nonetheless deeply grateful to his father for having the wherewithal to put money into such a enterprise when nobody within the Tucker household had ever educated as a watchmaker earlier than or had any designs on getting into the watchmaking and jewelry enterprise. Dick was a dentist and the plan was for Ken to check dentistry. Ken quickly realised that the career wasn’t for him and he nonetheless vividly recollects assembly his father exterior Trinity School in Dublin to debate his future. Dick recommend that Ken ought to full an apprenticeship in watchmaking and so Ken’s destiny was determined!

“We had no connection in any respect to watchmaking or something within the enterprise, so fully out of the blue he instructed me I’d serve my time within the workshop at Morton’s on Nassau Road, in order that’s what I did,” recalled Ken. “He was a really shrewd man. He introduced this for me however I don’t know the place he received the thought from! I had by no means stood behind a counter or dressed a window earlier than however I learnt to. It was exhausting at first however I began to construct up the enterprise and it went on from there.”

From window dressing to taking care of the watches, handwriting the tags for each single watch or engraving cups, trophies and all types of memorabilia, Ken learnt his commerce and honed his abilities. He’s nonetheless tremendously pleased with his store home windows, significantly the watch shows which he meticulously organises with an knowledgeable eye.

“Window dressing is an artwork, it’s a labour of affection. It’s not so simple as simply placing watcges into the window, there’s a particular ability for arranging them,” he says. “I might take a complete day to show the watches and to hand-print their labels. Folks prefer to see the watches neatly priced. I began doing that from day one and I’ve been doing it day-after-day since.”

Born and reared on Dublin Road, Carlow, Ken is married to Kay and the couple have three kids ‒ Derek, Wendy and Ivan ‒ and 5 grandchildren. Ivan educated with the world-renowned jewellers of Fields on Grafton Road, Dublin, whereas he has additionally acquired a diploma as a elegant diamond grader from the Worldwide Gemological Institute  in Antwerp, so his experience will help newly-engaged {couples} when deciding on their engagement and marriage ceremony rings. Wendy, his daughter, additionally works within the store and is a key member of workers.

“She’s a perfectionist, like myself, very methodical, and the whole lot she does, she needs executed nicely.”

When Ken first took over the store in 1952, it was already a well-established enterprise, with the Douglas household having been within the commerce since 1880.

Ken determined to maintain the title Douglas Jewellers, which was synonymous with the jewelry enterprise. Ken’s stewardship, supported enormously by his spouse Kay, led to the enterprise flourishing and increasing to the attractive store it’s at this time.

Ken says that one of many key substances in operating a profitable enterprise is appreciating your workers.

“Workers are so necessary. I’ve been very fortunate with my workers, I’ve such good folks right here. We additionally prefer to have a little bit of enjoyable and for everybody to get pleasure from their work,” he continues.

Although Ken is a devoted to his household and enterprise he additionally makes time to pursue his hobbies of fishing and following sport.

As a youthful man in class in Kilkenny School from 1942 to 1946, he was on each workforce he was eligible for in rugby and hockey whereas throughout his stint in Dublin as a trainee watchmaker, he performed rugby for Palmerstown. On returning house to Carlow, he continued his rugby profession with Carlow Soccer Membership and in addition received to play at interprovincial degree with Leinster. Alongside together with his pricey good friend, the late Stanley Hegarty, the duo scooped the Leinster doubles championship in desk tennis.

A again damage put paid to his sporting profession for some time and it was because of medical doctors within the Mater Hospital, Dublin, who efficiently operated on him that he’s nonetheless standing and cell at this time. That, and the truth that his good good friend, the late Tom McDonald of Mac’s Menswear, introduced him a crucifix relic and put it  on his  again.

“By the ability of the surgeons and the crucifix positioned on my again I made a full restoration and haven’t appeared again since,” Ken smiles.

Ken has lived a  lengthy and fulfilling life which was recognised by his colleagues within the jewelry enterprise. He has been introduced with an award from the Retail Jewellers of Eire whereas he has additionally acquired a lifetime achievement award from the Affiliation of Fantastic Jewellers, a becoming acknowledgement of a life dedicated to the trade. In 2011, Co Carlow Chamber introduced him with a life time achievement award and Ken continues to be going robust.

“So long as I’ve my well being, I’ll proceed doing what I really like,” smiles Ken.