Fone Matters: Leitrim tech expert urges locals to shop smart, shop local

Farhan Jamil, owner of Drumshanbo’s newest tech store, Fone Matters, is encouraging the people of Leitrim to shop local.

“Every day, people say, ‘Oh, online is cheaper.’ I say, I know online is cheaper, but you don’t know what quality you get there,” says Farhan, who has 15 years of experience running tech stores in the west of Ireland.

Some tech and phone accessories may be cheaper online, but they often come with the hidden cost of damaging your phone, Farhan warns: “Sometimes it damages your phone, you know, if the phone cables are not good.”

Farhan opened Fone Matters nearly two years ago, after moving to Drumshanbo from Longford with his young family following the Covid pandemic. Previously, he owned and operated stores in Longford and Mayo.

Fone Matters only stocks high-quality equipment from certified EU providers—both in-store and online—so customers can be confident that what they’re buying will last.

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The shop, located on the main street of Drumshanbo, is a one-man operation run entirely by Farhan, who brings over a decade of tech expertise to personally handle each customer’s needs. He offers everything from phone and laptop repairs to new and used devices, unlocking services, and software troubleshooting.

Tech has been his passion since childhood, and he enjoys the variety that comes with the job. “Every day we have a different problem, different customer, different queries, and we love to help with this.”

Having time to talk to customers and understand their issues is one of the things he appreciates most about running a store in Leitrim.

“Everyone knows everyone here,” he says. It’s something he’s noticed—and come to enjoy—since moving to the area. “Even if they don’t need anything, they come to say hello to you.”

Farhan has lived in Longford since moving to Ireland around fifteen years ago, after spending some time in England. But he says he prefers the pace of life in Ireland. “If you want slow and steady, Ireland is the best country,” he says.

Running a tech store in rural Leitrim can have its challenges, with the occasional quiet day, but Farhan says he’s grown to love the county.

“Leitrim is beautiful—the views, the lakes, the people, everything is beautiful, no doubt about it. It is quiet, but the people are very lovely.”

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