Who we are
MRCB is an Irish owned Family Business. Supplying products to the Painting & Decorating Industry and Public for decades. We are renowned for our Technical Expertise, Product Knowledge and Award-Winning Customer Service. Celebrating over 80 years in business, MRCB remains the oldest and leading shopping destination in Dublin for all your decorating needs.
Our history
Originally opening at Lord Edward Street,in Dublin. MRCB was set up Marcel Regent & Charles Bigoud, hence the use of their intitials for the company name. Both of French Nationality, they were the original salesmen of the time. Known as Travelling Peddlers, they would go from town to town selling their merchandise from a suitcase. Arriving in Dublin in the 1930’s it was here they decided to settle, calling Ireland home, they abandoned their suitcases and set up shop.
A love of colour, new brands and exciting designs continued to see them travel to Trade Fairs where they selected exquisite and exclusive brands to bring home to sell in Dublin. Marcel & Charles were first to introduce the concept of wall murals for home décor.
With a mission to serve the Professional Painter and Decorators of the time, the store quickly developed the reputation as leading stockists with the most comprehensive range of paint brands, tools and specialist products for the design sector. A reputation which has continued as MRCB remains proud to continue to stock over 8,500 different items at any one time.
MRCB received an award in 2016 from Benjamin Moore Paints for the launch and introduction of the brand to the Irish Market. It is this drive and determination from Kevin Coughlan, together with his Management Team and Staff, which ensures MRCB remains the Destination Store at the heart of Dublin.
MRCB changed hands several times over the years including ownership at one stage by UK Paint Manufacturer Blundell Permoglaze. The Business experienced financial and managerial difficulties over the years and it was only when the Coghlan’s of Meath St fame took over the business in 1989 that business picked up and began to flourish again.
Already running a successful Painting & Decorating business in nearby Meath Street Joe and Nora Coghlan purchased the declining retail store in 1989. The Coghlan’s were no strangers to business or hard work. Well known within the industry, Joe enjoyed a previous career with HGW paints, now trading as Dulux Irl., and also Managed well known paint store DODS of Mary Street for many years.
Ignoring advice to steer clear of purchasing the store, Joe seized the opportunity and secured the sale. Seeing potential to rebuild the Company to it’s former glory, Joe reinstated the name and reputation of the store, proudly transforming it into a thriving retail business, which it remains today.
A member of the Hardware Association of Painters and Decorators, Joe also served on the committee for over 20 years. He clearly had a passion for the business and can be credited with inventing the Painter’s Motto now commonly used and widely known within the industry as ‘The Three Musts’ Before any painting should take place one must always adhere to the following ‘Three Musts’
1. The surface must be clean.
2. The surface must be dry
3. The surface must be free of contamination.
An interview with Gay Byrne in the early 80’s was to launch a sideline position for Joe on the National airwaves. Joe excelled answering questions from the public, despite not getting the usual briefing before a show aired live! His success led to a regular slot on the chat show. His time as Decorating Expert with RTE Radio lasted a considerable number of years.
When Joe retired from the business in 2001 his son Kevin became Managing Director of the Company. Kevin had left school at the age of 16 to work alongside his Father and Mother in the Meath Street Store. Gaining excellent sales skills throughout the years and inheriting the entrepreneurial traits of his parents, it was a natural progression for him into Management.
Kevin’s passion for business led him to research and explore many interesting ventures, including a tenure with General Paints. Kevin can be credited with the introduction of many iconic brands to Ireland and in fact it was Kevin who launched Farrow & Ball Paints in Ireland in 2006. Following on with the introduction of other exciting brand names in the latter years, such as The Little Greene Paint Company and most recently Historical US Paint Brand Benjamin Moore.
MRCB received an award in 2016 from Benjamin Moore Paints for the launch and introduction of the brand to the Irish Market. It is this drive and determination from Kevin, together with his Management Team and Staff, which ensures MRCB remains the Destination Store at the heart of Dublin.