‘Working with family has a special dynamic’: One of country's oldest jewellers welcomes fifth generation

When John Ross bought a jewellery shop in 1899, he stipulated in the deeds that it would be in the family 'forever'. He has been proved right so far, says Sally McEllistrim

Heather and Alexandra O'Sullivan - the mother and daughter are the fourth and fifth generation of their family to work for John Ross jewellers in Tralee since it was founded.

The relationship between mothers and daughters is a unique one — if not always totally plain sailing — but at one of Ireland’s oldest jewellers, it’s all going sparklingly well.

John Ross Jewellers in Tralee, Co. Kerry, is in its 127th year, and the landmark family business is proudly fifth generation, an amazing feat at a time when so many businesses are struggling to stay in the high street amidst challenges like online competition and rising costs.