News and Events

January 20, 2026
We were delighted to host over 20 companies for a factory tour, discussion on exporting with Gareth Sherry of IWIN , and for a presentation + meet and greet with John Kiely Limerick hurling manager. Congratulations to our team for putting this together. Thank you to all of our visitors and contributors. We look forward to further progression on export cluster discussions over the coming weeks and months. Carnehill Joinery Ltd , Carroll Joinery Ltd , Woodfit - Joinery and Acoustics , Truwood Ltd. , Topform Ltd , Timeless Sash Windows , Western Postform Limited , MFM Joinery , GEM Joinery , W.Howard Kildare , Mivan Ltd , Simon O'Keeffe Pembroke Alliance , Vision Creative Studios , Loughnanes Joinery , Canavan Joinery Services Ltd , Tretzo Aidan McKenna
By Gareth Sherry January 20, 2026
What an amazing week we had in Chicago! Myself, Eoin Ryan from The Galtee Group , and Damian Woods from W.Howard 'The MDF Specialists'​ attended the North American Building Material Distribution Association (NBMDA) distributors’ event, with over 1,000 delegates present. I had the privilege to do a presentation on behalf of the Irish Wood & Interiors Network ( IWIN ), showcasing the expertise and capabilities of our member companies. I also shared our collaboration with Cieblink , who are launching a Product Information Management (PIM) software we are starting to implement in the network. It was a brilliant opportunity to connect with dozens of prospective buyers, build key relationships, and generate leads for future business. We were lucky to be hosted by industry experts Freya Hannah (Cieblink) and David Smith from The David Smith Group, who introduced us to many of the top buyers/distributors in the US and Canadian markets. The event was packed with key figures from the North American and Canadian building materials supply industry, particularly woodworking products and sheet materials—a perfect fit for our network. We also had some great experiences exploring Chicago, including seeing 9-time Grammy winner, Buddy Guy, perform live—an unforgettable night! We toured the city and had a productive meeting with David O'Flaherty of Enterprise Ireland USA , who shared that Chicago is home to 200,000 Irish diaspora, 25,000 of whom are in construction—highlighting the strong cultural ties and opportunities for Irish suppliers in this market. The US is open for business—with trade from China down, buyers are actively looking for alternatives. For Irish companies ready to supply, there’s a real chance to make an impact. It was a smashing week, and we’re excited for what’s ahead! Thank you to Frederic Pare and Freya Hannah for the invitation to the event, and to Michael Wilbur for hosting such an excellent gathering.
By Gareth Sherry January 20, 2026
Delighted with the latest issue of the Irish Contract Interiors magazine! A big thanks to John Legg and his team for their continued excellent work, and to all the IWIN members who support this production, especially our cover sponsor this time - Flanagan Fittings . This magazine is distributed in print to 2000 businesses in the construction industry throughout the island of Ireland. For those interested, you can download a digital copy here: https://lnkd.in/erru9hSZ
By Gareth Sherry January 20, 2026
Meet the Future of Your Industry 👷‍♀️🪚 Great to visit WorldSkills Ireland 2025 at the RDS this week — over 180 competitors across 48 skills, with 38,000+ visitors exploring careers in everything from carpentry to advanced manufacturing. A real highlight was seeing ATU Connemara and TU Dublin students in action, particularly in joinery — an area central to the Irish Contract Interiors sector. For IWIN member companies, this isn’t just a competition — it’s a recruitment opportunity. Events like this connect us directly with the next generation of talent. As Ronan Murphy from Sisk put it: “This is one of the best events of the year for engaging with young people who are ready to start a meaningful career in construction and manufacturing.” Plenty of inspiration. Plenty of potential.
By Gareth Sherry January 20, 2026
IWIN Annual Golf Day – Carton House 2025 Recap Over 60 attendees and 50 golfers took to the fairways at Carton House on September 11th for the IWIN Annual Golf Day — and what a day it was. Sunshine, great company, and more sand than the Sahara made for a fun mix of competition and craic. Huge thanks to Liam Mc Cool and the Carton House team for top-class hospitality all day. Winners of the day Jack O’Connor (Kerry GAA), Dick Clerkin (Clerkin Consulting), Eoin Ryan (Galtee Group), and Alan O Grady O’Grady (Western Postform) — 102 points. Honourable mention to OVVO (99 points), who argued their combined age of over 300 should have earned them a bonus prize or at least a cup of tea and a sit-down. Individual prizes Best Gross: @Stuart Malcolm from DDC Fitout & Design Best N e t: Alan O’Grady (for the second year in a row... the handicap committee has been notified) The day wrapped up with a relaxed barbecue and a fireside chat with Jack O’Connor, who shared insights into managing Kerry football, stories from the sideline, and his passion and enthusiasm for the next two years. One guest even suggested he run for president. Jack said maybe next time when he is retired 😆. Thanks to everyone who joined us. We’re already looking forward to next year — more swings, more stories, and definitely more questionable handicaps.
By Gareth Sherry January 20, 2026
🌟 Welcoming Our New Members 🌟 Over the summer months, we were delighted to welcome several new companies into the Irish Wood and Interiors Network. Each brings valuable expertise, energy, and perspective to our growing community: Fitzgerald Kitchens – Eamonn Fitzgerald D o orsets – Eddie Dooley Corell Architectural Timber – Eugene Cornally Aspect Surfaces – Geoff Clark Crows Nest Software - Europe/UK – Norman Fink Fink Cienapps – Frederic Pare Paré GA1 Safety Check – Jacob Garias Storefit Shopfitters Ltd. – Eamonn Brien McCaul Kitchens – Gary McCaul Combilift – Martin McVicar Michael Farrell Kitchens - David Farrell GEM Joinery - Nigel Maguire We’re proud to see the network continue to expand across manufacturing, technology, software, and services, reflecting the strength and diversity of the Irish interiors and wood sector. 👉 Together, we are building new connections, sharing knowledge, and creating opportunities across Ireland and international markets. A very warm welcome to all of you – we look forward to working with you in the months ahead. hashtag #IrishWoodAndInteriors hashtag #Collaboration hashtag #MembershipGrowth hashtag #ContractInteriors Pic 1 Eddie Dooley (Doorsets). Pic 2 Eugene & Martina Cornally (Corell Architectural Timber). Pic 3 David Farrell & Ger Cahill (Michael Farrell Kitchens). Pic 4 Nigel Maguire (GEM Joinery)
By Gareth Sherry January 20, 2026
***Attn IWIN Members*** Join us for the IWIN Golf Networking Day – Wednesday, September 11th at the stunning O’Meara Course, Carton House. https://lnkd.in/eRKHfAHi Th i s is a relaxed and social day out for IWIN members to connect, unwind, and enjoy one of Ireland’s finest golf venues. Whether you’re a seasoned golfer or just along for the networking and evening fun, there’s something for everyone. You can register as a team or as an individual golfer. We’ll mix players into random teams to encourage networking, but we’re happy to accommodate groups who prefer to play together. No handicap is required – all levels are welcome. The focus is on fun and getting to know your peers and colleagues. It will be a shotgun start at 12 noon, meaning each group begins on a different tee at the same time. Everyone should finish their round at roughly the same time. What’s included: 🏌️ A fun golf competition with unique prizes for all levels 🌍 18 holes on the world-class O’Meara Championship Course 🍔 Relaxed and tasty BBQ to wrap up the round 🎤 After-dinner guest speaker to keep the evening lively 🛏️ Accommodation in the nearby Glenroyal Hotel. 🏨 Resort activities available for non-golfers Spaces are limited, so book early to avoid missing out! Accommodation is available in the nearby Glenroyal Hotel - https://www.glenroyal.ie/ - We have a block-booked rooms for IWIN members so please contact the Glenroyal to book early and secure your accommodation. If you have any questions, please email gareth@iwin.ie or WhatsApp on 0868268081.
By Gareth Sherry January 20, 2026
Just back from the 17th Redevelopment Summit in Lisbon, hosted by GBB Venture s, and what an excellent event it was! The format provided invaluable opportunities to connect with key figures from the Saudi construction industry and showcase the best of Ireland’s contract interior manufacturing. We had brilliant conversations and insightful meetings that we hope will bring lasting value to our members. The Saudi market, with its ambitious 2030 vision and $2 trillion in planned investment, offers incredible opportunities for those ready to engage and build strong supply chain partnerships. From cutting-edge cities to luxurious Red Sea resorts, we’re excited about Ireland’s potential to be a key player in this dynamic market. It was nice to note that we weren't the only Irish at the event - it was inspiring to see Mark Kennedy , Head of Design at NEOM Magna, present the futuristic vision for the Magna project, which includes a stretch of 120km along the Red Sea coast, featuring 12 distinct resorts. Looking forward to sharing more with our network members in the coming weeks! Thanks to the GBB Venture team, especially Jordan and Usha, for all your help in preparing for this event!
By Gareth Sherry January 20, 2026
Delighted to be representing the IWIN (Irish Wood and Interiors Network) at the 17th Real Estate Development Summit hosted by GBB Venture . It’s a great opportunity to connect with over 170 key players from the Saudi Arabian construction market, including developers, contractors, consultants, and procurement leads involved in major giga projects across the Kingdom. Ireland has a proven track record for delivering high-quality solutions in contract furniture, specialist joinery, architectural products, and fit-out components. Our manufacturers have the capability to collaborate on large-scale projects and support supply chain demands for hotel, commercial, and residential developments. We’re here to explore how Irish companies can contribute to the vision for Saudi Arabia’s transformation and infrastructure growth. Looking forward to productive meetings and new connections over the next two days. hashtag #Ireland hashtag #ContractInteriors hashtag #Manufacturing hashtag #SaudiArabia hashtag #GBB hashtag #TradeOpportunities hashtag #Construction
By Gareth Sherry January 20, 2026
It has been an action-packed couple of days at the LIGNA machinery show in Germany. The speed at which technology is advancing in the woodworking industry is both exciting and a bit daunting. Many robotics and AI solutions are being adopted, particularly in areas such as sanding, storage, and assembly. One impressive highlight was an AI-enhanced CNC machine on display, which allowed users to interact directly with the machines via Chat. For instance, you could explain a request, such as creating a replacement gable for a previous order, and the machine could just do it without sending a program instruction. Or even ask it for performance stats etc. Some great banter was had on the familiar Combilift stand as we witnessed a bit of expert haggling take place between Monaghan ( Martin McVicar ) and Galway ( Derek Deane )...not sure who won out, time will tell:). It is certainly impressive to see Combilift fly the flag at such a landmark show. A special thanks to Martin and for the warm welcome. In the picture, from left to right.... Damian Rafferty , Patrick Kelly , Niall O Kane , Colm McElhinney, Derek Deane , Martin McVicar , Adrian Deane , Gareth Sherry PS - Don't forget the Irish Night on Wednesday 28th, in the Dublin Inn hosted by Maginn Machinery and IWIN .
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