Mayo town business celebrates 20th anniversary
Mary Doran wither 11-week-old daughter, Isabella, chats with Store Manager, Stephanie Ruane at the EZ Living 20th Anniversary Sale in Castlebar, on May 31st 2025
There was a festive atmosphere at the EZ Living Furniture store in Castlebar on Friday, May 31st, as the popular furniture retailer marked its 20th anniversary in the county town in style. A packed shop, lively music, cheerful giveaways and a sea of smiling customers made the day one to remember for staff and shoppers alike.
“It’s been brilliant,” store manager Stephanie Ruane said “I’ve never seen the car park so busy. There’s a great buzz around the place.”
The open day brought shoppers from all over Mayo and further afield for bargains across the retailer’s huge range of interior furnishings.
The Castlebar store was only the second branch opened by the company, following the original outlet in Galway. From that early expansion, the EZ Living name has grown to include 24 stores across Ireland, including one in Derry, with Castlebar now home to a 15-person team working across sales, logistics and even a newly established in-store media studio.
📹 @EZLivingFurn pic.twitter.com/GNp1Prbesl
— Western People (@WesternPeople) June 23, 2025
The day was about celebrating a journey that began in 2004 and a community that has supported the store for two decades. Visitors were treated to sweet treats, free delivery offers, and exclusive discounts, especially on the in-demand garden furniture ranges.
“This year, for the first time, we’re selling barbecues - and the gas ones are proving really popular,” Stephanie explained. “One model even comes with a chopping board, bottle opener and a drawer for keeping your beer cold. It’s like having a little outdoor kitchen!”
The focus was just as strong on interior furniture and accessories, offering quality, affordability and a growing reputation for helping customers design spaces that feel like home.
Brenda McLoughlin, Visual Stylist with EZ Living, who works between Castlebar and other stores across the country, spoke of the current trends shaping Irish interiors.
“There’s a lot of colour coming back right now,” Brenda said. “Green is massive this year. Bottle green, moss green, all those rich tones. Brown is making a comeback too - caramel, mousse, earthy shades. People are much more adventurous with fabrics and finishes.”
That confidence is mirrored in the store’s approach to styling.
— Western People (@WesternPeople) June 23, 2025
“We like to help customers tell a story in their space,” Brenda said. “If they show us a picture of their room, we can help them match in cushions, rugs, lamps - even picture frames - so that everything works together. That creates a calm, complete look.”
And if comfort is king, EZ Living knows that it starts with a good mattress.
“It’s like buying shoes - you have to try them on,” Brenda said. “Our staff are trained as mattress experts. We encourage people to lie down, test them out, and ask questions. Mattresses are so important and we want customers to make an informed decision.”
To help protect those investments, the company also offers a service plan known as Guardsman. For a once-off payment, the policy covers accidental damage such as rips, stains and burns on furniture for five years.
“Say you’ve got a cream sofa and something happens to it,” Stephanie explained, “with this plan, you don’t have to worry. If anything happens, we’ll fix it or replace it. It gives people great peace of mind.”
Stephanie also explained that the cost of your purchases can be spread across manageable monthly payments thanks to EZ Living’s partnership with Humm.
— Western People (@WesternPeople) June 23, 2025
“We offer up to two years at 0% APR with no interest and no fees,” Stephanie said. “The price you see is the price you pay.”
Behind the scenes, the experienced and passionate Castlebar team is buzzing.
“I love it here,” Brenda said. “EZ Living is a great company to work for.”
This was echoed by Stephaine who said she had job offers from other companies but had no interest in leaving the EZ Living family.
With 20 years of excellent value and service, there’s no sign of EZ Living slowing down.
“The future is all about continuing to grow, keeping our staff happy, and looking after our customers,” Stephanie said.
That philosophy has earned the store a loyal following - one that was clearly visible in the size of the crowd that turned out to join in the birthday fun.
As balloons danced in the breeze and music played through the loudspeakers, it was clear that EZ Living Castlebar isn’t just a shop. For many in the community, it’s where comfort meets connection and style meets service.
