The Merrion Centre and its parent company Town Centre Securities (TCS) were founded by Arnold Ziff, who opened the site on his wife’s 34th birthday.
Over the years, it has been home to a variety of shops and venues including nightclubs Tiffanys and The Phono as well as a 42-lane bowling alley and an Odeon cinema.
Many shoppers recall seeing inventor Rowland Emett’s machine the Flying Kite, which used to be on display in the mall.
Made by the creator of the contraptions in the film Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, the machine was housed in a glass case and activated regularly to entertain visitors.
The Flying Kite is now back on show as part of a special exhibition marking the centre’s anniversary.