Working With My Father and Building Martin Hurls as a Family Business

One of the things that means the most to me in the Martin Hurls journey is being able to work alongside my father.

Long before Martin Hurls ever became a business, Daddy was known around Randalstown as the number one hurl repairer. That is really where a lot of it started for me. Watching him, being around the craft, and seeing broken hurls being repaired and brought back to life was how I first picked up an interest in it all. Even when I was a teenager starting out with Martin Hurls, he always gave me a hand.

Because of that, bringing my father into the business was always a personal goal of mine. It was something I always wanted to do. Not just because it made sense from a business point of view, but because it felt right. He had been part of the story from the very start, so having him properly involved in the business meant a lot to me.

When Colum joined the business in 2023, it added something special to the workshop. Over the last three years, it has been a real privilege to work alongside him. Of course, like any father and son working together, there are the odd small arguments, but overall we get on well, we enjoy our work, and we enjoy the customers calling to the workshop. There is something very natural about it too. We work from home, we know the rhythm of the place, and we both care about doing the job right.

That family side of Martin Hurls is a big part of what the business is now. It is not just about hurls or products. It is about people, shared pride, and building something together. I think customers feel that when they call to the workshop. It is not a faceless operation. It is personal. It is local. There is a real story behind it.

In recent years, the business has kept growing in different ways. One of the personal highlights for me has been securing the Croke Park order for over 3,000 hurling sticks, helping support the development of hurling in smaller and lower-tier counties. Another was introducing the Martin Hurls premium range, which has helped elevate the business to the higher end of the market. I am also very proud of the success of the metal boxes, which have become a real pillar of the business over the last six years, especially around Christmas time. We are hoping to keep growing that side of things too and bring it into different industries.

There have been other proud moments as well, from appearing on Dragon’s Den to making hurls for high-profile players. But in among all those highlights, there is something about the everyday side of the business that still matters most. People calling in. Conversations in the workshop. Seeing returning customers. Knowing that what started off as a small local idea has become something much bigger.

That is probably what I value most about having my father involved. It keeps the business grounded. It reminds me where the craft came from, where I learned it, and what really matters. Martin Hurls is growing and moving forward all the time, but having that family link in the workshop keeps the heart of it the same.

For me personally, working alongside my father is not just good for the business. It is one of the best parts of the whole journey.

And when I look back years from now, I know that is something I will be very proud of.

Written by Emmet Martin, founder of Martin Hurls

If you are still unsure, check our Frequently Asked Questions and Shipping Info, or get in touch before ordering.