About Murphy Jewellers
Murphy Jewellers is a family owned jewellers in the heart of medieval Kilkenny. Director and Gemmologist Martin Costello told us more about why they used the Kilkenny Gift Card to reward their team for Christmas 2024.
What rewards/incentives do you offer?
“We’re a 4th generation, family run business located on the high street in Kilkenny. Murphy Jewellers was founded by my great grandfather and is operated today by myself and my brother Stephen. We specialise in diamonds and engagement rings. As a business, we like to reward our staff after a good year with a local voucher to show our appreciation for their hard work. In the past, we used the Kilkenny paper voucher, and switched to the Kilkenny Gift Card following its upgrade to a high-tech Gift Card in November 2024. Thankfully, 2024 was a good year and every staff member received a reward. At the time, the Irish Revenue’s Small Benefit Exemption was limited to €1,000 (increased to €1,500 in January 2025) and we were able to use the full €1,000 to reward staff members, tax free.”
Why did you choose Town & City Gift Cards?
“Our main driver for choosing the Kilkenny voucher in the past, and the upgraded Kilkenny Gift Card from Christmas 2024, was to ensure the money we gave to staff stayed local. The new Kilkenny Gift Card is a newer, better version of the vouchers. With the vouchers, staff wouldn’t get change but now they can spend the exact amount they wish with the balance automatically updated, so they get the full benefit of their reward.”
How did you use Town & City Gift Cards?
“We opted for the physical version of the Kilkenny Gift Card because we wanted to hand the cards out to staff in person. It’s a format that we knew all of our staff would be comfortable with. We ordered the cards online, received an invoice for the cards which we paid, then the cards arrived in a few days. The Gift Cards came with matching Gift Card holders and we wrote an individual note of thanks to each staff member, and handed them out. It was an easy process from start to finish.”
What is your experience of accepting Town & City Gift Cards?
“As one of the businesses which accepted the Kilkenny paper vouchers, we were happy to hear about the new Kilkenny Gift Card and sign up to accept the card. As business owners, the card works on the Mastercard system and requires no additional equipment, and we get paid in the same way as any other Mastercard transaction. For the consumer, they have the option of a physical or a digital card to spend as they choose with over 120 local merchants. For Kilkenny to be able to offer a local Gift Card that is easy to use for customers and businesses is hugely beneficial. And when people receive the Gift Card, it will encourage them to explore more of what’s on offer in Kilkenny. We’ve had people spending their cards with us in-store both pre and post Christmas.”
Do you have any advice for other organisations?
“We’ve all seen how the world has changed over recent years with the rise in online shopping. Organisations thinking about rewarding their staff in Kilkenny have the option of a national Gift Card where the money will leave Kilkenny and not support the local community, or the Kilkenny Gift Card where the money will be kept in Kilkenny and benefit over 120 local businesses. Whether the cards are spent in my business or one of the other businesses in Kilkenny, we all benefit because that money is circulating in the local economy, keeping doors open and people employed. The Kilkenny Gift Card is a great idea, it’s easy to buy as a reward and staff like the ease and choice. I encourage all Kilkenny organisations to give it a go.”