OUR HERITAGE…

Malone’s of Dublin are one of the Ireland’s oldest companies. A much loved household name for many years, Malone’s wax polishes continue to be an integral part of Irish family life. Even today, its characteristic lavender scent evokes strong memories of childhood for many of our customers.

Founded in 1902 by James Malone the company was established against the political back drop of the Gaelic League and their campaign promoting “Buy Irish”. Our first premises was in Great Strand Street which was shared with the Gaelic League newspaper. Amongst the well known visitors to the offices were Arthur Griffith, Sean T’ O Kelly and Michael Cusack, the founder of the GAA.

“Emerald Gem” was the companies first product, “a blackening” for shoes. Malone’s had Arthur Griffith’s ear and they succeeded in getting a lot of press coverage. Ads for Malone’s polishes appeared regularly in The Leader, selling “Polish made by Gaels for Gaels”
Another famous product was The Ward Hunt Boot Polish which kept the horsey set’s boots, saddles and livery shining for many years. So great was its success that by 1911 the company moved from its original premises, to a larger site on James Street, Dublin. Manufacturing continued at James Gate and a whole range of metal, boot and furniture polishes were added.

Malone’s had grown very fast in the local market and by 1911 had developed a thriving export market to India, Africa and the Far East. Our archive has receipts for over a million tins of boot polish from the time.“ Woolworth’s was also a major customer and daily deliveries of Malone’s waxes were made by mail boat. The outbreak of the Second World War however halted the export sector of the business and Malone’s concentrated their efforts on being the number one brand in Ireland, with their lavender and antiseptic wax polishes, a position they enjoyed up until the early eighties when foreign imports flooded the marketplace.

Our heritage as one of Ireland’s oldest companies gives us a true perspective on the value of our customer and we strive every day to help them with their chores.

Ahead of our time…

The previous management’s resolute refusal to enter the aerosol polish market and produce waxes that they felt were both inferior and ruinous to wood caused a decline in sales and a shrinking of the company’s market share.

Ethical traders, before the phrase was coined!

Today however sees a new Malone’s, under the helm of Liz Waters who set about reviving the Malone’s brand for today’s customer.

Malones – would you like to see it on the shelves in your local shop, request it here…