Argh, me and hardware stores really don't work well together, and you'll know that if you've read…read moreany of my reviews on the subject. They are super scary, intimidating shops for most females, and I am definitely no exception. At first glance, Geddis and McKee is a hardcore hardware shop. We're talking high vis jackets, huge manly boots, every nail / screw / whatever else men need that you could possibly think of. It almost screams "man" in a deep, threatening voice. And then I found some rubber gloves that my mum absolutely loves (I am a true rhyming master), and thought, 'huh, this shop isn't as tough as it first looks'. Selling ladies bright yellow rubber gloves is definitely a drop down a notch in the overall manly ratings. In fact, Geddis and McKee isn't as scary as I first thought. It has a whole load of household cleaners and the like, pet food and accessories and even a selection of confectionery. Mmm. Some might say it's almost ladylike. Almost.

A great hardware store with a wide range of products. Good value and helpful staff. Plenty of FREE…read moreparking though it can get a little crowded at times.

From the owner: Hardware and building products Farming feeds and dosing…read moreproducts painting and decorating products coal and other fuels also available

I have been to McParlands in Newry many times and always leave a very happy and satisfied customer…read more The service is always excellent and the banter in store is great for a laugh. They really have everything to suit your hardware and giftware needs. There is a vast stock with great prices and they have regular sales on their fantastic giftware stock. All members of staff are friendly, approachable and very helpful. Well worth a visit for that personal service that can be lost in the bigger retailers.

Sampsons is one of those places that sort of sells everything. I once went in with a list of the…read moremost obscure stuff imaginable, I think the list included a 40 watt light bulb, some miracle grow, a poker and a bag of turf. Upon entrance the list was taken off me and low and behold within 1 minute all items were on the counter waiting for payment. This is the type of shop Sampsons is, no matter how odd the request they will have it. They are primarily a hardware store but they have recently diversified to the garden market and now offer potted plants and compost. Although on the downside I found the shop very confusing so if you do not know exactly what you are looking for it is best to ask. Sampsons is very reasonable in price and he will sometimes throw in a few extra bits and bobs if he thinks you need them. The only real alternative is Homebase or another big DIY specialist but if you are in the centre of town and you need something no matter how strange (I think they even do plastic spanners and left handed screw drivers) then Sampsons is the place to go.

This is one of the oldest shops in Bangor, it has to be. I have lived here all my life and I don't…read moreremember it not being here. It is based on Hamilton Road which means that it can be tough to get to because of the one-way system but if you park the car in the Asda Car Park it is only a wee hop, skip and a jump across the road so you should be ok. This place stocks everything from garden pots, tools, miracle gro, DIY tools, hammers, spanners, nuts, bolts, brushes, hoes, rakes and basically every type of hardware that you could possibly think of other than light firearms. The staff are knowlegeable and extremely helpful. Always polite and efficent, they make popping in here to pick something up a charm.

This is another one of those stores that you can purchase almost everything that is used in the…read morehouse and garden and for leisure! It has been part of Donaghadee retail for quite a few years and I think some of the stock has been from the year dot. When you are in the middle of doing a diy job and realise that there is some piece of equipment that you just don't have to finish the job that's when this store comes into its own because you can rest assured that you will find it here. When you walk into the store you have to take a deep breath and walk sideways because every piece of floor space and for that wall space is taken up with stock.you are also advised to ask the storekeeper to find the item you want because it could be anywhere in the store and he will be able to put his hand on it straightaway. It's also the type of old fashioned shop that you can have a good old yarn with the owner as there isn't anyone or anything in the North Down area that they don't know! It really is a gem of a store that takes you back in time and has everything that you can possibly need.

It just struck me (like a bolt of lightening, some might say) before I began my review as to why…read morethis place is named so...Hardys Hardware. Excellent. Aside from the innovative name, Hardys is a pretty darn good wee shop. The fact that it's slightly more than a hardware store made me feel slightly more at ease (you may recall my previous review [singular] of a hardware store, and how I felt completely out of place), but I have to say that it was also the accompaniment of my dad that made the whole experience generally nicer. Thanks Daddy. Back to the vast range of stock though. Yes, it's got the wood, tools, gadgets and DIY stuff, but there's a huge variety of other stuff too. There's toiletries, household cleaners, pet goods, home decor...even confectionery! I got lost in the toiletry section while my dad looked for some man thingy. Or something like that. It's definitely the extensive assortment of goods that makes Hardys that little bit special. Hardys and Other Items You May Find Yourself Needing doesn't have quite the same ring though...

One of the best general hardware and DIY stores you will find in NI. The range is huge and its more…read moreconvenient being in the centre of Comber than travelling to B&Q and other superstores in Ards north Down or Dundonald.

When I need hardware I tend to prefer to shop here, at Killeen. Price, atmosphere (of course, this…read moreone includes service), and the selection available make it worth going. For example, with a lot of hardware shops (note, for me it's not stores, I'm not North American) you can only buy whole packets of screws, nails, bolts - with Killeen you can buy what you need and no more. Recommended.

This is the second time I have posted a review of Killeen on YELP, my previous review while honest…read moreand accurate obviously offended some poor wee sensitive soul so I have had to edit my review. BOO FRIGGIN HOO! Dry your yappy wee eyes. If you don't like honest, impartial, accurate reviews from decent members of the public then don't YELP. I have not altered my star rating either. The reason I am giving it 2 stars here is I actually bought a bathroom off them and it was fine, there is a separate bathroom showroom which is in the same compound but managed by a different guy. Thankfully. Only for the bathroom guy I give it 1 star. NOTHING IN THIS PLACE HAS A PRICE TAG. So you have to wander around like a hooker on a street corner looking for a member of staff who may or may not know what you are looking for, I mean how expensive is a pricing gun??!! On top of that they have atrocious opening hours, close at 12 on Saturday and not open at all on a Sunday, so you have to take a day off to visit. Get with the programme guys, we live in a 7 day a week society, this is a backwater joint best be avoided.