About

About Us

Abbey Upholsterers Specialist Joinery and Fit-out is a 100% family owned company which has been providing high quality bespoke furniture, specialist joinery and fit-out solutions for over 90 years.

From some of the world’s leading 5-star hotel properties, including Galgorm Resort, Claridge’s Hotel, London, Shelbourne Hotel, Dublin, to the most spectacular private residences, we are renowned for delivering superior quality interior fit-outs, and a customer service experience that always puts the client first.

Our reputation as one of the leading specialist commercial fit-out and upholstery providers in Ireland and the UK, has been achieved by focusing on the same core values of trust, integrity, and quality that we started out with – and these values continue to drive our business to this day.

The Team

Abbey Upholsterers is a world class company delivering beautiful interior fit-out projects for the world's top luxury brands, combining chic style and stunning substance. Whether it's Bond Street, Regent Street or Madison Avenue you'll find our work in many of the world's most stylish locations.

Paul Devlin

Managing Director

Grandson of our company founder, George Devlin, Paul possesses that same entrepreneurial streak, customer focus, and hard work ethic.

George Devlin (Jnr)

Finance Director

Another member of the founding family, George Jnr is Finance Director, and a lot more besides!

Desmond Devlin

Head of Logistics & Fit-out

As a large manufacturing organisation working on multiple high-end interior design & fit out projects simultaneously, logistics plays a vital role in our success as a business.

George Devlin Snr

Financial Advisor

Following the retirement of our founder - also George Devlin - George Senior took over the running of the business in 1972...

Jonathan Mallett

Operations Director

Passionate brand ambassador, experienced project manager, and fountain of knowledge when it comes to all things joinery, Jonathan is our resident problem solver...

Simon Scott

Sales Director

Simon has been with Abbey for twelve years and is a vital member of the team. He has great knowledge of our vast product range and great relationships with our customers.

Long and Storied History...

When Whiteabbey Mill closed its doors for the last time in 1926, George Devlin decided to use the proceeds of his severance money to purchase a single roll of linoleum floor covering - and sell it door to door, piece by piece.

Buoyed by the success of this small yet industrious business, by the early 1930s upholstered sofas and chairs had come to prominence.

However, rather than simply re-sell pre-fabricated pieces to his customers, he set about learning how to make his own and so, in 1935, began Abbey Upholstery as we know it.

Growing our business through the 1970s...

In 1972, with 10 permanent employees now in situ, the business passed onto the second generation of the Devlin family, as George’s son – also George – took over the running of the business. He quickly introduced the concept of large-scale distribution, importing ready-made furniture products in large container loads, from Europe. This resulted in an enormous increase in demand for new products, new fabrics, and new designs.

Manufacturing of our own furniture in the 1980s...

As the business continued to grow, by the 1980s Abbey Upholstery begun to manufacture its own furniture for the first time. This move into manufacturing led to an increase in the number of fabrics being offered, to the extent that by now– with over 20 fabrics to choose from – Abbey Upholstery was recognised as having the largest fabric range in Ireland.

Moving into the commercial fit out space for the first time...

With the company by now widely recognised, both in Ireland and the UK, as a high-quality furniture manufacturer, by the 1980s it had expanded into the area of commercial fit-outs and interior design; this lead to the creation of the company’s specialist fit-out and joinery divisions.

Working for leading designers in the 1990s...

Building on the growth and success of our business over the previous 5 decades, the early 1990s presented us with the opportunity to work with high-end designers for the very first time. This directly led us into the niche market of high-end commercial interior fit-out and design – a market that we are now one of the leading players in.

And all of this history makes us who we are today...

As our history clearly demonstrates, we have faced - and overcome - many societal and organisational challenges, continually evolved and changed with the times and, ultimately, become a renowned specialist fit out and upholstery company with an incredibly dedicated and talented team of over 100 employees.