Tonight, on Like Family, RTÉ's Brenda travels to Cork to meet Kieran McCarthy, author of 'Family Business - a survival guide,' who brings her on a tour of Oliver Plunkett Street.
He guides Brenda through some of the family business landmarks as they explore the highs and lows experienced by families in business.
Following the experience, Brenda said: "Talking to the family businesses on Oliver Plunkett street in Cork showed how important pride in the family name is.
"And that pride means families work really hard to make their businesses a success to honour the older generation that went before them and to give opportunities to the younger generation".
The Keane family have had a jewellery shop on the street for almost seventy years. Brothers Ger and Pat tell Brenda about the business founded by their parents and the plans that they have made for the next generation.
Next year, the Galligan family have been trading on Oliver Plunkett Street for one hundred years. The fabric shop is now run by 83-year-old Ann and her daughter Eleanor.
But it is unclear whether Eoin and Cliona, Ann's grandchildren, will return to run the business in the future.
Dr Eric Clinton from DCU Business School studies family business. He sees lots of students from family business backgrounds who are immersed in the realities of family business life.
But as he explains, not every student wants to return to the family business and it is in the best interest of the business that current owners really listen to what their children want.
Next, we meet Harry McArdle, the founder of Height for Hire, a construction machine business. His daughters Frances and Lorraine have both joined the business.
But both daughters looked in other career directions before returning to work with their father. Frances explains that as the business is growing, the next generation may not have the hands-on connection to the business that her generation has.
Finally, we meet the Italian couple Anna and her husband, Gabriello. They decided to go into business together, opening a coffee shop seven years ago. They support each other in all they do and that's what has made establishing a family business in a new country possible for them.
Like Family will air on RTÉ Radio One at 10pm on Wednesday nights.
