About Us

Over One Hundred Years in the Making

Matthews first opened it's doors in 1904 on Cork's Half Moon Street.

The iconic family-run store began its life as a leather merchants’ and shoe-maker’s merging to a sports shop during the early half of the 20th century. Fourth generation owner Bruce Matthews oversaw the innovations that led to the shop becoming Munster’s foremost outdoors & camping shop.

The shop with Bruce’s son, James Matthews, at the helm moved to a new premises on Lavitt's Quay in March 2007 offering a new simplified outlook; Sail Ski Explore.

The corner stone of Matthews’ retailing ethos has always been customer service. “Over the years through training and actually using the gear our staff have become experts,” says James Matthews. “They understand the customers better than in any other shop with literally decades of experience.”

For Winter 2012/13 the Matthews crew has assembled the an impressive range of warm, waterproof, fashionable and innovative clothing, footwear and accessories. No other store has the range of choice or the value.

Matthews - simply better.