Ireland has a storied business tradition, forming the backbone of many communities and influencing industries across the island. From micro-SMEs to large multinationals, Irish entrepreneurs have pushed forward and set the standard.
A new RTÉ One series, The Entrepreneurs, celebrates the people behind these businesses, who make things happen and redefine their industries.
Produced in association with EY Entrepreneur of the Year™, the series looks at the businesses and the people behind them, and how they are shaping their industry both at home and abroad.
From bakers to carers, each business featured tells its own story of success and innovation.
Taking care of health
Ireland has been making significant inroads in the healthcare sector, with multiple businesses helping those most in need.
One such business is Seating Matters, which is based in Northern Ireland. It manufactures therapeutic seating for people with disabilities, aiding those in acute care, community care, nursing homes and at home.
Seating Matters is part of The Tierco Group, a family business with three divisions: manufacturing, investments and healthcare.
Seating Matters is its flagship company, and under the leadership of Martin Tierney, its managing director, it delivers world-class products in the UK, Ireland, the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Europe.
Similarly, WaterWipes has built up its reputation nationally and globally. The idea came from Louth-based Edward McCloskey, who originally founded Irish Breeze in 1993, which produced cotton wool, soaps and skincare products.
Sixteen years later, WaterWipes emerged from his research into creating a gentler, chemical-free alternative to conventional baby wipes. The wipes are plant-based, plastic-free, and accredited by trusted global organisations.
WaterWipes products are sold in 50 countries and WaterWipes is the third-largest brand in its sector in North America, the second-largest on Amazon globally, and the brand leader in the UK.
Inspiring food
In the food sector, there are many examples of both traditional businesses evolving with the times and new entries making their mark.
One example is Bread41, launched by Eoin Cluskey in 2018.
Specialising in sourdough baking this Dublin-based organic food business now employs more than 100 people across its bakery and shop, selling organic, naturally fermented breads, handcrafted pastries, and locally sourced wholefoods.
Before becoming an artisan baker, Cluskey was a carpenter. He trained at Ballymaloe and honed his craft in bakeries across Europe before founding the organic bakery.
Another business with a storied tradition is McColgan's. A third-generation family business based in Strabane, Co Tyrone, McColgan’s has been in business since 1940, and is one of the largest producers of savoury pastries on the island.
While the business has grown significantly in the last 80 years, it hasn’t forgotten its roots and employs over 300 people from its factory in Strabane.
Work and play
Alongside those in traditional markets, Ireland hosts a combination of traditional and new industries.
One well-established in the film and TV business is Shinawil, founded by Larry Bass in 1999, with a career spanning multiple entertainment media.
The production company is behind TV favourites like Dancing With The Stars, Borderline, and Clean Sweep, as well as a whole host of feature films and international television dramas.
Ensuring that businesses are prepared for the world of modern remote working is the bread and butter of Otonomee. Founded in 2020 by Aidan and Hilary O’Shea, Otonomee is a remote customer management outsourcing company based in Cork.
Evolving from the needs of remote work, it is a certified B-Corp that has grown to over 500 employees across Europe, the US, South America, and Asia, and features leading Irish and US tech and ecommerce customers among its clientele.
The entrepreneurs featured in The Entrepreneurs series are all finalists of the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year™ programme.
Now in its 28th year, the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year™ programme supports, promotes, and connects a community of more than 680 entrepreneurs, across sectors and regions, who collectively employ over 275,000 people across the island of Ireland and generate revenues of €28bn.
For more see EY Entrepreneur Of The Year™ | EY - Ireland
