T. O’Higgins Homevalue in Galway was one of the big winners at the 2025 United in Excellence Awards when it was named the overall winner of the highly-coveted ‘Best Regional Store Connacht’ as well as ‘Best Heating & Plumbing Store Connacht’.
The annual awards ceremony was hosted by The Galmont Hotel which meant the T. O’Higgins Homevalue team didn’t have far to travel to celebrate their double success. Hardware and builders merchant stores from across Ireland were recognised for outstanding standards in retailing at the event which brought together over 250 guests.
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. 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.
Paul Candon, Group CEO of United Hardware, said the United in Excellence Awards are about celebrating the drive, commitment and ingenuity that members bring to Irish retail.
“Their dedication to raising standards and serving their community is what sets them apart,” he enthused.
“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.”
Needless to say, T. O’Higgins Homevalue was delighted to claim the top honour in Connacht where it continues to set new standards in excellence, and which recognises its commitment to customer service, store standards and community engagement.
“It was fantastic to win two United in Excellence Awards, especially on our own doorstep in Galway. It made the night extra special for us,” T. O’Higgins Homevalue CEO Paul O’Shaughnessy proudly states.
“We understand the competition is very competitive here in the West with a lot of really good Homevalue stores in the region. To win the Best Regional Store in Connacht is unbelievable, it’s our second time to win it.
“To win the Best Plumbing department in Connacht is also great, it’s our second year in-a-row to win that one so we are definitely doing something right. I thought the night itself was really well organised, it was a great evening, the location was excellent and the awards ceremony was very entertaining thanks to the one and only Hector Ó hEochagáin. Earlier in the day, United Hardware had hosted their annual conference with some fantastic speakers – there were some really great insights which I found very interesting.
“Here in T, O’Higgins, we have really started to focus on scaling up to meet demand. We have an extremely busy premises and hope that 2026 will be as good as 2025 was.
“We have upgraded all our vehicles over the last three years so we can provide a better delivery service. We have increased our staff and created new service points on our trade counter and provided more hands-on help in the yard.”
Paul continues: “In addition, we recently acquired 150 solar panels for the roof of our premises. We hope that this move will significantly lower our carbon footprint and also, in time, help reduce our costs. We used a great local company called Greenco to get this done as we are firm believers in supporting local. We also plan to roll out car-charging points early in the New Year for customers and staff.
“To win the awards is amazing. However, the team here in T. O’Higgins are the ones who make it possible. We have a fantastic group of people; we have great retained experience in the shop and the yard, and there is a great sense of camaraderie among the crew. I’m a strong believer in making sure everyone is content and as happy as they can be in work, and the atmosphere here plays a huge part in ensuring that’s the case.”
Recognised as Galway’s premier builders’ providers and hardware store, T. O’Higgins Homevalue has been looking after customers’ every need since 1938. Homevalue, which T. O’Higgins has been part of for over 25 years, is one of Ireland’s leading DIY, hardware and homeware groups with a network of over 90 Guaranteed-Irish accredited stores nationwide that are committed to providing the best range of products at the lowest prices. Whether you are building, repairing, improving, furnishing or decorating your home, Homevalue has got you covered. Homeowners, DIY enthusiasts and professional tradespeople alike know that Homevalue means real value and real expertise.
“The business started in 1938 and Michéal Ó hUiginn, who is the retired MD now, took over in the 1960s. Michael is extremely proud of the crew, for their great work every day and for claiming another two United in Excellence awards. To have such longevity and to be reaching such high standards after all these years is a great achievement,” Paul says.
“Micheal appointed me as CEO four years ago, at the time of his retirement. We had worked together building a strong foundation for the business to grow and develop from and I was honoured to be entrusted with the future of the business, and given the opportunity to continue our great work.
“We have an excellent team here at T O’Higgins, including our trading manager John O’Donovan, inventory manager Lynn Kelly and finance manager Martina Carr. Together, we do our very best to provide a high standard of customer service and that is only possible because of our vastly-experienced and knowledgeable team. The business has grown beyond our expectations and that’s down to our loyal customers.
“I joined T. O’Higgins Ltd in September 2012, having met Micheal while I was working for United Hardware (AHL at the time) through a mutual colleague. I had been working on store developments around the country. We have come a long way since then, having greatly benefited from a move into a bigger and better premises in 2018.
“The premises is located on the old T. O’Higgins manufacturing site which is only a stone’s throw away from the old one. We have a facility now that covers all of our stock with a one-way drive-through for customers. The shop is integrated into the same building and, in its entirety, the building covers just over 100,000 sq. ft.
“We genuinely do have everything under one roof, lots of customer parking and a shop front onto the main Rahoon Road,” concludes the affable Dubliner, who would like to take this opportunity to thank the great team, customers and suppliers of T. O’Higgins Homevalue for their continued support.
T. O’Higgins Homevalue,
Rahoon Road,
Galway.
Telephone: 091 522 411
Email: [email protected]
Web: tohiggins.com
This article was published in Building Ireland Magazine, May 2026, Vol 12 No 5
featured, T. O’Higgins Homevalue
