After over 50 years in business, the well-known Goodwins Musical Instruments shop on Capel Street, Dublin 1, is set to close its doors, as managing director Liam Carroll announces his retirement.

Liam and the rest of the Goodwins team revealed the news in a statement shared online over the weekend – and announced a 'retirement/closing down sale'.

"With both gratitude and sadness we announce that we are closing our store and retiring from business after a long history of Goodwins Music at 134 Capel St," the post reads.

"As we prepare to say goodbye, we want to extend our deepest thanks to everyone who has walked through our doors over the years. We invite you to join us for a celebratory clearance sale over the coming weeks, with lots of great deals on all guitars, equipment and accessories both in-store and online. It's our way of expressing our thanks for your loyal custom down the years.

"Do pop in to say hello, and to help us make these final weeks as memorable as the last 50 years."

Credit: Goodwins Music

A family-run music shop, Goodwins have built up a notable reputation in the city for selling and servicing acoustic guitars, electric guitars, bass guitars, amplifiers, FX pedals, keyboards, accessories and more.

Their announcement has sparked numerous tributes and well-wishes online – with singer-songwriter Declan O'Rourke one of many people who have commented under the Facebook post.

"Sad day!" he wrote. "Got my first amp in Goodwins many moons ago, a 15 watt vantage amp. It was demoed in the shop for me by a sales rep who played 'Sultans of Swing' left handed on a right hand strat (simply turned upside down by him). He was flawless and the sound was amazing. I still can’t play as well as he could but the memory is great. One of a million stories I’m sure.

"Best of luck to you guys, and thanks for decades of invaluable service to Irish musicians."

Read Goodwins' full statement below: