United Hardware, Ireland’s leading buying and marketing group for builders’ merchants, DIY and home & garden retail stores, honoured outstanding achievement and innovation at its 6th annual ‘United in Excellence Awards’ ceremony, held at The Galmont Hotel, Galway, following the group’s flagship conference. The event brought together over 250 guests from across the United Hardware network, including store owners, managers, partners and sponsors.

This year’s awards showcased the remarkable standards and dedication of United Hardware members nationwide. A highlight of the evening was the cheque presentation of over €60,000 to Barretstown, United Hardware’s national charity partner, supporting life-changing programmes for children and families affected by serious illness.

The coveted title of United in Excellence Store Of The Year 2025 was awarded to Ferdia Homevalue, Ardee, Co. Louth, recognised for its exceptional customer service, store presentation and commitment to the local community. Ferdia Homevalue stood out among more than 200 stores, setting a new benchmark for excellence across the network.

Paul Candon, Group CEO of United Hardware, commented: “The United in Excellence Awards are about celebrating the drive, commitment and ingenuity that our members bring to Irish retail. I want to congratulate all of this year’s winners and nominees, and especially Ferdia Homevalue for their outstanding achievement. Their dedication to raising standards and serving their community is what sets them apart. Every awardee this year has demonstrated what it means to be a leader in our sector, and together, they are shaping the future of hardware retail in Ireland. My thanks also go to our sponsors – Unilin Insulation, International Ply, Dulux Paints, ECC Timber, Glennon Brothers, Grant, Westland, Irish Cement, Einhell, Triton, Wavin, Brett Martin and Mannok and all our partners – whose support helps make these achievements possible.”

Awards were presented across a wide range of categories, including paint, customer service, light hardware & DIY, merchanting, heating & plumbing, garden centre, marketing, online presence, and regional store of the year. Each store was assessed against rigorous criteria, including independent mystery shopper audits, to ensure that only the highest standards were recognised.

2025 National Winners Include:

Overall Award Winners:

• Best Regional Store Munster – Flynn’s Homevalue
• Best Regional Store Leinster – Ferdia Homevalue
• Best Regional Store Connacht – T. O’Higgin’s Homevalue
• Best Regional Store Ulster – Donegal Town Hardware Homevalue
• Best Garden Centre – Bandon Co-Op Homevalue Kilbrogan
• Guaranteed Irish Advocate Of The Year – Cummins Homevalue
• Best Online Presence – Kean’s Homevalue
• Best Bathroom Showroom – Green Heat & Bathrooms
• Best Marketing Initiative – Irish Building Supply Homevalue
• United In Excellence Store Of The Year – Ferdia Homevalue

Other regional award winners on the night, included:

Customer Service Excellence:

• Munster – Ronayne’s Homevalue
• Leinster – Ferdia Homevalue
• Connacht – Sweeney’s Homevalue Achill
• Ulster – Gould’s Homevalue
• Overall Ireland – Ferdia Homevalue

Best Paint Store:

• Munster – Broderick’s Hardware
• Leinster – Smyth’s Homevalue Enniscorthy
• Connacht – Kean’s Homevalue
• Ulster – Donegal Town Hardware
• Overall Ireland – Smyth’s Homevalue Enniscorthy

Best Light Hardware & DIY Store:

• Munster – West Cork Building Supplies Homevalue
• Leinster – Wallace’s Homevalue
• Connacht – Nicolas O’Conchubhair Homevalue
• Ulster – Coyles Homevalue Buncranna
• Overall Ireland – Wallace’s Homevalue

Best Merchanting Store:

• Munster – Flynn’s Homevalue
• Leinster – Clane Providers Homevalue
• Connacht – Cooney’s Homevalue
• Ulster – O’Connor’s Hardware
• Overall Ireland – Flynn’s Homevalue

Best Heating & Plumbing Store:

• Munster – Ger Malone Plumbing & Heating
• Leinster – Barretts of Maynooth Homevalue
• Connacht – T. O’Higgin’s Homevalue
• Ulster – Greenline Plumbing Supplies Cavan
• Overall Ireland – Ger Malone Plumbing & Heating

The United in Excellence Awards highlight United Hardware’s ongoing commitment to supporting independent retailers, driving innovation, and delivering exceptional value to communities across Ireland. With over 200 stores nationwide, United Hardware continues to champion the highest standards in Irish retail.

United Hardware

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