In every episode of Hardware Matters we are forced to edit interviews because of time constraints. In this bonus episode we’ll hear bits of interviews which didn’t make it into the original podcast. Included here are Denis Jastrzebski talking about how to get the best from AI and Ciaran Byrne from the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland who talks about the health benefits of a good retrofit…

PRESENTER/RESEARCHER: Roisin Murphy

In this bonus episode of Hardware Matters the focus is on family businesses. We hear about Cork owned company Dosco, which is around since 1884 and Paraic Horkan tells us how his family business evolved.

PRODUCER: Fergus Sweeney

In this summer special we take a look back at some of the highlights from the first ever series of Hardware Matters. H is for homes; A is for Amazon; R is for Retrofit… Enjoy!

PRESENTER/RESEARCHER: Roisin Murphy

This is the first of our summer specials in which we take a look back over the highlights of the series so far. In this bonus podcast we’re reflecting on this year’s Hardware Conference. It’s held every 2 years and this year’s event took place in Killenard in Co Laois in April. We had a short report on the conference in episode 1, but in this longer report as well as hearing from economist Jim Power and HAI President Paul Candon, Michael Stanley from Cairn Homes talks about the challenges in the planning system and trend spotter Steve Collinge tells us why he’s disappointed with smart homes.

The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) is the main driving force behind retrofit in Ireland. Roisin talks to Dr Ciaran Byrne who’s Director of National Retrofit with SEAI. Ciaran talks about the penalties Ireland may face for not reaching national targets, the difficulty in finding contractors to do the work, and some of the schemes that are available for homeowners – for instance the pilot scheme for traditional homes which allows the use of not certified insulation material like sheep’s wool.

Ted Laverty, founder of website, Onlinetradesmen.ie discusses the shortage of skilled labour in the construction industry. Ted suggests changes that should be made to the way apprenticeships work. He believes low pay early on in the career of an apprentice acts as a deterrent to many.

Derek Deasy is Sales Manager with Hultafors Group LTD. He talks to Roisin about how workwear has changed through the years. For instance, where heavy footwear made of steel was once commonplace, nowadays comfort, durability and safety are all important factors.

PRESENTER/RESEARCHER: Roisin Murphy

Former RTE reporter Fergal Keane has renovated an old stone farmhouse near Baltimore in West Cork. The building was vacant for two decades, the roof was falling in, the wood needed to be replaced and all the floors had to be dug out. Fergal tells Roisin about the particular issues he faced in undertaking such work and the huge sense of achievement in completing the job.

Tommy Smyth is HR consultant at Tom Smyth and Associates. He joins Roisin to talk about the whole issue of employment law. Dignity at work, harassment, bullying and social media activity are among the issues that business owners need to know how to handle.

Jim Copeland tells Roisin about the latest issue of the Hardware Journal, the official magazine of Hardware Association Ireland. The magazine wants to hear from the oldest Hardware Store or Builders Merchant in Ireland. 

PRESENTER/RESEARCHER: Roisin Murphy

Horticulturalist and gardening guru, Paraic Horkan tells us how he and his family built a thriving business that started in Castlebar and is now countrywide. First opened in the 1930s the business has now grown to include 3 garden centres and 14 pet stores. We hear how the business went against customer advice and moved from a town centre location to a larger site outside Castlebar. Paraic talks about the company’s strong staff training programme and he explains the different roles that he and his 2 brothers have in the business. 

The Scottish Empty Homes Partnership was set up in 2010 to help turn empty properties into homes. It’s been very successful - to date it has brought 11,000 properties back into use. However, the number of empty homes in Scotland is still increasing. Tahmina Nizam is National Manager with the organisation and she tells Roisin about some of the enforcement tools they have at their disposal, like Compulsory Purchase Orders and exemptions from Council Tax.

Denis Jastrzebski, an AI expert with Content Plan tells us how Artificial Intelligence can impact the hardware industry. Many people don’t understand how AI works or how it could be useful on a day to day basis. Denis gives us examples of how AI can be used in customer service, pricing, marketing and stock management, saving time and money.

PRESENTER/RESEARCHER: Roisin Murphy

Barry McCarron, the Managing Director of Kore Retrofit, tells us how to make our homes more energy efficient. Barry has five key principles when it comes to a quality retrofit. Floor, walls and roof need to be insulated to a high level. Secondly, where the floors, walls and roof join needs attention. The third principle involves windows. Air tightness is principle number four and finally he stresses the importance of mechanical heat recovery ventilation.

Iseult McLaughlin is a director with Tactical Talent Recruitment, a recruitment agency specialising in the hardware industry. She tells Roisin about recruitment and retention issues in the industry. The shortage of labour means it’s a candidates’ market and good people are in demand. We hear why a gap in a candidate’s CV is no longer a negative and why flexible work hours and hybrid working are important factors.

Whether it’s fixing that leaky tap, putting up shelves or hanging curtain rails, DIY can save you some money and it can be very rewarding. But not everything always goes to plan. We visited Topline Murtagh’s in Ashbourne to speak to customers about their DIY successes… and failures.

PRESENTER/RESEARCHER: Roisin Murphy

Ana Dolan and Anne Connolly are planning to set up the first Cohousing community in Ireland. It’s an idea which became popular in the 1970s in Denmark and then spread to other countries, including the USA. It involves buying into community living – where maybe you share dining facilities with neighbours, but otherwise you own your own apartment and live independently. Ana told us about her plans for a community in south Dublin.

Want to attract more birds into your garden but you’re not quite sure what sort of a birdhouse you need? Niall Hatch from Birdwatch Ireland explains how best to use birdhouses, what species will make homes in your garden and when to disinfect the boxes. Bluetits, Robins, Blackbirds, Swallows and other species can all be encouraged to set up homes in your garden with the right nest box.

Did you know you can use hairspray as a stain remover? Or is that just an old wives’ tale? We went to Topline Murtagh’s in Ashbourne and asked some of their customers what remedies they have for hard to remove stains on soft furnishing, kitchen counters and flooring. We got some interesting responses.

PRESENTER/RESEARCHER: Roisin Murphy

Welcome to the Hardware Matters Podcast, brought to you by Hardware Association Ireland, the representative body for Irish hardware and DIY retailers, builders’ merchants, distributers, and manufacturers.  

In today’s episode, our host Roisin Murphy explores some intriguing insights and trends in a changing marketplace. Roisin will be speaking with Martin Markey, Chief Executive of Hardware Association Ireland, as he unveils the findings of its recent ‘Above the Shop’ report and how vacant properties could be a key contributor to alleviate Ireland’s housing crisis.  

Fergus Sweeney shares some key takeaways from the recent HAI Conference in Portlaoise, alongside renowned Economist, Jim Power, as Jim discusses the challenges the industry is set to face with rising tariffs in an unpredictable economic climate.  

Roisin is also joined by colour expert Jane Witter from Dulux Ireland as she illustrates the power of colour and why spring could be the ideal season to find your homes most aesthetic look. 

We hope you enjoy!