William Mitchell came to Ireland from the North of England in the early 1800s and set up a bakery business in Fairview. In 1805 he purchased No. 10 Grafton Street (where McDonalds is located today) and started a business that included a bakery, coffee shop and confectionery business. This very soon became Dublin’s most fashionable premises in which to be seen sipping “coffee.”

George Patrick Mitchell, son of William Mitchell, succeeded his father.

In 1850 Mitchells were appointed confectioners “To Her Majesty Queen Victoria”.

Robert, son of George, continued to run the Grafton Street business. He then decided to open a dedicated wine business at 21 Kildare Street in 1887. This beautiful Georgian house was built in the 1700s and purchased from John Hely Hutchinson, Provost of Trinity College.

Robert was succeeded by his widow Agnes Fairbairn Jury (of the original family of Jurys Hotels). Her only son Robert Noel Mitchell succeeded her in the Grafton Street business, while a nephew Harold Mitchell ran the Kildare Street business. When Harold died, the running of Kildare Street passed to Robert (Bobbie) Mitchell, grandson of the original Robert Mitchell. Bobbie was very involved in the business all his life until his passing in 1997.