Since 1949

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About Us

About Thornhill Brothers

Family-owned. Community-rooted. Proudly serving West Cork for generations.

Our Story

Thornhill Brothers has been a cornerstone of West Cork life for generations. What began as a family venture rooted in hard work and a genuine desire to serve our local community has grown into two thriving stores — in Skibbereen and Bantry — and a nationwide online shop trusted by customers across Ireland.

We're not a chain. We're not a faceless warehouse. We're your neighbours — and that makes all the difference.

Over the years, we've helped West Cork families build homes, furnish kitchens, plant gardens, paint walls, and tackle every project in between. That depth of experience lives in our stores, in our staff, and in the advice we give every single day.

What We Stand For

  • Family values — We treat every customer the way we'd want our own family treated: honestly, helpfully, and without the hard sell.
  • Local expertise — Our team has decades of combined experience across hardware, furniture, paint, garden, plumbing, heating, and more. We know our products inside out.
  • Community first — We support Irish suppliers where we can, back community initiatives, and take pride in being part of the fabric of West Cork.
  • Quality you can trust — We stock brands and products we believe in, so you can shop with confidence whether you're buying a tin of paint or a new sofa.
  • Service that goes the extra mile — From in-store advice to local delivery, we're here to make your project easier from start to finish.

Everything Under One Roof

One of the things our customers love most about Thornhill Brothers is the sheer range of what we carry. Whether you're a tradesperson stocking up on supplies, a homeowner renovating a kitchen, we've got you covered:

  • 🔧 Hardware & Tools — Hand tools, power tools, fixings, and everything the trade needs
  • 🛋️ Furniture — Sofas, beds, dining sets, and bedroom furniture for every style and budget
  • 🎨 Paint & Decorating — Dulux, Fleetwood, and more — with expert colour matching in-store
  • 🍳 Kitchen & Homeware — Cookware, appliances, and everything to make your kitchen work harder
  • 🔩 Plumbing & Heating — Pipes, fittings, radiators, and heating solutions for home and trade

Can't find what you need? Just ask. If we don't have it, we'll do our best to get it.

Our Stores

Skibbereen

Our Skibbereen store is a West Cork institution — a go-to destination for homeowners, tradespeople, and everyone in between. Pop in and you'll find a friendly face, expert advice, and a vast range of products ready to take home today.

Bantry

Our Bantry store brings the same Thornhill Brothers experience to the heart of Bantry town. Whether you're working on a home project or just need a few essentials, we're here to help.

Can't make it in? Shop our full range online and enjoy delivery nationwide across Ireland.

Shop Online, Nationwide

We've brought the Thornhill Brothers experience online so customers across Ireland can access the same quality products and trusted brands we stock in-store. And if you ever have a question about a product — whether it's a mattress, a power tool, or a tin of paint — our team is just a message or phone call away. Real people, real advice.

Get in Touch

We'd love to hear from you — whether you have a question, need advice on a project, or just want to say hello.

Visit us in Skibbereen or Bantry, browse online at thornhillbrothers.ie, or reach out via our contact page.

Thank you for supporting a local, family business. It means the world to us — and to West Cork.

Thornhill Brothers has been trading from the heart of Skibbereen since 1949, when Henry Thornhill first opened an electrical shop. Today, the business is run by his son Christy and grandson Henry, continuing a family tradition that spans generations.

Christy began by repairing radios and televisions, having trained in London in the early days of colour television. He was one of the few people who could fix things back then. In 1981, he moved from electrical into hardware, and over the decades the business expanded, adding furniture, flooring, bathroom and heating, and in 2008, opening a dedicated furniture store in Bantry.

The Thornhill family lived above the shop. Christy and his wife raised eight children in the building. The shop grew with them. At one point, the family was repairing kettles and fairy lights, and selling plugs. As the years passed, the business became known for offering everything from hardware and interiors to furniture, blinds, paint and garden goods.

Thornhill Brothers became part of the life of the town. If something needed to be done in the shop, it was done. If a customer needed help, someone helped them. That was how Christy learned, and how Henry grew up. Today, Henry works alongside his father on the shop floor, continuing that same tradition.

Upstairs, Henry’s sister Jane runs the soft furnishings section. Her focus is on fair trade, sustainable and Irish brands. That personal touch is part of what keeps customers coming back. Many of the staff have been with Thornhill Brothers for decades, and customers are on a first-name basis.

After all these years, Thornhill Brothers remains a family business. Built on service. Built on trust. Built on the people who walk through the door every day.

“Your team is the most important asset you have in business.. that and your customers. Business is about people.” - Christy