Pat McDonnell Paints

Pat McDonnell Paints, Irish paint and decorating chain

Pat McDonnell Paints is an Irish company specialising in the sale of paints, wallpapers, woodcare products and decorating accessories. It serves both the general public and the professional and wholesale sector, and combines its physical stores with an online shop. The company presents itself as Ireland's leading supplier of paint, wallpaper, woodcare and accessories for the retail, trade and wholesale channels.

Origins and expansion of the chain

The company opened its first store in 1977 on Grattan Street, in the centre of Cork, founded by Pat McDonnell after ten years of experience in the paint industry. Shortly afterwards it moved to Bachelors Quay, a location that is still in operation and where some employees who joined in the 1970s and early 1980s still work.

Expansion continued with the opening of a second store in Cork in 1997, on Centre Park Road, in the Marina area, near Páirc Uí Chaoimh. This was followed by Kilkenny (2000), Tralee (2001), Athlone (2003), Galway (2005), Nutgrove in Rathfarnham, Dublin (2013), Raheen in Limerick (2018), Commons Road in Cork (2022) and Blanchardstown, Dublin (2023). The company currently has ten paint and decorating stores and employs 150 people.

Product catalogue

The catalogue covers paint, wood and metal products, wallpapers and decorating accessories. The company states that it has more than 33,000 items and works with the leading brands in the sector, including Dulux, Farrow & Ball, Colourtrend and Ralston Paints, the latter exclusive to its stores in Ireland. The range includes various finishes and colours, with specific sections for paint, woodcare and accessories.

The site also shows a promotion of 25% off tester pots of colours from premium brands such as Ralston, Farrow & Ball, Colourtrend, Dulux Heritage, Dulux Easycare and Dulux Weathershield.

Services for private and professional customers

The company offers free colour consultancy, available in store and also as a consultation service. This service provides expert colour and design advice tailored to each customer and their home. In addition, it offers in-store collection, free delivery and a product sourcing service.

Free delivery applies to orders of paint, woodcare, accessories and wallpapers, subject to the condition indicated by the company that it is only available within a 50 km radius of its stores; outside that radius, the customer must contact the nearest store. The company also offers a price promise and the option to request colour cards.

For the professional public, the company has a specific section for decorators and maintains retail, trade and wholesale sales channels.

Advice resources and content

The site includes practical guides produced by the company to answer frequently asked questions, such as how to paint PVC windows a different colour, how to paint a deck or how to clean mould off a wall before painting it. It also publishes a blog with news and inspirational content, and offers resources such as kitchen cabinet rejuvenation.

Team and customer service

The company places customer service as a priority and states that it selects expert, creative and experienced employees for its stores. It highlights the retention of part of its workforce for more than forty years and states that it provides ongoing training and mentoring. The company encourages interested parties to check its job vacancies.

Location and contact

Phone: +353 21 432 0200 · Email: info@mcdonnellpaints.ie