By Eve Lonergan
This summer, six years after their formal launch, Crosshaven Computers opened up in their new Carrigaline location, with Cormac O’Donoghue and Niamh Harrington bringing their unique business approach and passion for promoting small businesses to the locality.
“It really is turning out to be the coolest place in Carrigaline, let’s be honest,” Cormac of Crosshaven Computers says, referring to Millstream Lane, located just off Carrigaline Main Street. Across from Three Fools Coffee and tucked behind Ristorante Romano, Crosshaven Computers have nestled into the local community.
“If you come down here on a Saturday morning, there’s actually a real kind of continental buzz,” he reflects. “The coffee place attracts a very cool crowd. We just happen to be cool anyway.”
The community vibe has seeped into their approach to customer service. People pop into the shop for a browse or a chat about the latest tech on offer.
“The nice part about this unit is that it’s more of a shop,” Niamh reflects. “So I think it sort of invites people to come in and have a chat and they don’t feel under pressure to have to buy straight away. They can get the information first.”
Cormac launched Crosshaven Computers in 2018, retraining himself for this second career. Niamh joined the business in 2020 after a job loss due to COVID.
While many businesses scaled back or were forced to close due to the ongoing restrictions, Crosshaven Computers adapted, offering on-site IT help.
When it comes to marketing, Cormac has found that an innovative approach to social media has created an online community that stretches far beyond Carrigaline.
“TikTok is huge for us,” Cormac says. “We get an awful lot of sales nationwide from TikTok and Instagram. That’s how I built my business - on social media.”
“TikTok has made national local.”
Niamh agrees, “It also allows us to keep that local community feel, but take it nationwide. So it means that we still have a one-on-one contact with everybody.”
TikTok has revolutionised the traditional business model of simply promoting the selling points of goods and services. It’s about creating a brand identity, and being accessible to the consumer.
“Social media is vitally important for any business now,” Cormac says. “You can’t just sell on TikTok. You have to get a presence, you can’t fake it.”
Building long-term relationships with customers is a priority for the team of Crosshaven Computers, who opened their shop doors in Carrigaline in July of this year.
“The reason we are called Crosshaven Computers, besides stating the obvious that we started off down in Crosshaven, is that I always only expected to do this part time. I never planned ahead.
“So now we’re Crosshaven Computers based in Carrigaline, which is confusing to people. But genuinely, we do feel part of the community.”
A typical day begins with an early start for the team.
“It’s the best job in the world,” Cormac says. “I come in around seven, make some TikToks, and then I play around with toys and computers”
“Well, it’s not all fun and games,” Niamh chimes in.
“It’s important to keep people up to date so that we’re not taking something in and it’s left sitting there. We try to get as fast a turnover on the repair as we possibly can.”
“There can be pressure day-to-day,” she explains, “we do local business support, we do on-site calls.”
“We keep Carrigaline running,” Cormac laughs.
While the day-to-day is both productive and entertaining, it’s not been all smooth sailing for Crosshaven Computers.
“The main challenge is that you’re a small business taking on the world,” Cormac explains. “The challenge is convincing people that shopping local doesn’t cost more, but means better service, and it’s as simple as that.”
Inspired by the support they’ve received since opening, Cormac and Niamh have decided to launch their Keep Santa Local campaign, an effort to promote shopping locally this Christmas.
“What I am very passionate about is small businesses,” Cormac says. “I believe small independent businesses are actually taking off whereas a lot of people will say they’re failing.”
The Keep Santa Local campaign aims to encourage people to share the Christmas spirit and support their local shops and businesses.
“We’re doing grand here, but there are some shops up that village in serious trouble and there’s 30,000 people around this village. It doesn’t add up.”
“Myself and Niamh will be in business after Christmas and we’re hoping to have a good Christmas,” he says. “But there are businesses who won’t be in business after Christmas.”
“All these small businesses give something to the community. Now it’s time to give back.”
For Cormac and Niamh, their interest in cultivating a thriving community in Carrigaline goes beyond numbers and profits. They have commissioned local artist Mary O’Regan to paint a mural onto their shop front.
“It’s got nothing to do with computers whatsoever. It’s just to make the place even more beautiful,” Cormac says.
“It’s a gift to Carrigaline for treating us so well.”
As the countdown to Christmas begins, Crosshaven Computers are ready to help Santa’s elves make the perfect presents.
Gaming machines for both adults and kids are high on wishlists. For students, or anyone looking to update their laptops, Crosshaven Computers specialise in ThinkPad laptops. Screen protectors are also popular gifts to prevent cracked phones long after the frost melts on Christmas morning.
With the first few months in Carrigaline under their belts, the pair at Crosshaven Computers are looking ahead to the future.
“We’re going to evolve,” Cormac promises. “We’re going to be one of the most tech centred shops in Ireland.”
“You’re never going to come into this shop and it’s going to be stale. We’re going to have all of the latest and greatest because that’s how we’re going to survive.”
With promises of tech surprises, their new mural, and their Keep Santa Local campaign, Crosshaven Computers are on a mission to keep Carrigaline a vibrant cultural and tech-savvy community.
“We’re making Carrigaline cooler and we keep Carrigaline running,” Cormac jokes. “Basically, we are Carrigaline.”
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