Meadows & Byrne

Meadows & Byrne is an Irish homeware retailer founded in Cork city in 1993 by Freda Hayes. The company says it was built on a vision of quality craftsmanship and homewares chosen with care, and it now trades across Ireland with a separate UK site. The founding premises were at No 22 Academy Street in Cork, a red brick and limestone building that had been a Methodist church. Hayes bought it in 1993 and later expanded it through a swap with the Gingerbread restaurant on French Church Street. The Irish Examiner reported in 2015 that the restaurant chain Nando's had sought change of use for the Academy Street property, while ownership was to remain with Meadows & Byrne. The range covers furniture such as the Cha Cha three-seater sofa, kitchenware from knives and pizza ovens to teapots, and table linens and glassware. Bedding and bathroom textiles complete the home side. Skincare and artificial flowers appear too, along with wedding and engagement gifts. A recent collection of signature candles takes its cue from the Irish landscape. A loyalty club and an interior designer programme run alongside the stores.