United Hardware 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:
– United In Excellence Store of the Year:
Ferdia Homevalue
– 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 the Year:
Cummins Homevalue
– Best Online Presence:
Kean’s Homevalue
– Best Bathroom Showroom:
Green Heat & Bathrooms
– Best Marketing Initiative:
Irish Building Supply Homevalue
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.
Hector Ó hEochagáin, David McMahon & Sylvia Weldon from Ferdia Homevalue, Paul Candon from United Hardware, Eamonn & Martha Kerr from Ferdia Homevalue, Martin Groome from Unilin, Tara Mullarkey from Ferdia Homevalue & Eoin McGettigan from United Hardware.
Hector Ó hEochagáin, Peter & Barbara Malone, Ger Malone Plumbing & Heating & Barry Gorman from Grant.
Hector Ó hEochagáin, Jack Reidy from United Hardware on behalf of Flynn’s Homevalue & Mike Glennon from Glennon Brothers.
Smyth’s Homevalue Enniscorthy
Hector Ó hEochagáin, Dermot & Betty Kavanagh from Smyth’s Homevalue Enniscorthy & Seamus O’ Donoghue from Dulux Paint.
Excellence – Ferdia Homevalue
Hector Ó hEochagáin, David McMahon, Sylvia Weldon, Eamonn Kerr, Tara Mularkey from Ferdia Homevalue & Chris Jones from International Ply.
Initiative – Irish Building Supply Homevalue Hector Ó hEochagáin, Karen Gaffney from Irish Building Supply Homevalue Kilcoole, James Clarke from Einhell & David Macken from Irish Building Supply Homevalue Kilcoole.
Louise Reilly, James Kean, Johnny Broxton, Nicola Glavey, Billy Howard, Niall Butler, James & Patricia Kean from Kean’s Homevalue with Declan Conlon from Wavin & Hector Ó hEochagáin.
