all the first fixing copper pipes etc were bought from local builders merchants for convenience more than anything else.
their price for one of the aqualisa showers is €645, same thing in NI is £320 ! and as we are based in London full time, our money is in sterling which means with the bad exchange rate for us, it makes more sense to finish our house off with materials from the North.
we have since purchased all these materials from NI and will have them delivered free Monday lunchtime for our plumber (nephew) to crack on in our absence.