Irish entrepreneur success stories

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Cathal Gaffney – Brown Bag Films

Cathal Gaffney of Brown Bag Films has made the journey from college dropout to feted CEO by virtue of hard work, self-reliance and an endless passion for animation.
Tom Kearney – Spice O'Life

Corkman Tom Kearney travelled the exotic historial spice routes of the East before coming home and setting up his own spice company Spice O’Life in Dunmanway.

David Walsh - Netwatch

The Carlow entrepreneur is creating 50 jobs in a new HQ after seven years.

His greatest skill has probably been his ability to understand and respond to the needs of his customers.

He had a goal to own his own business by the age of 40, and achieved it a week before his birthday.

Growing Aer Arann to become a vibrant European airline player.

John Flahavan has led the porridge oatlets firm to impressive exporting success.

Garlik's co-founder always had entrepreneurial leanings.

Eavanna Breen
Akina

When she first discovered the premises at Crowe St, Temple Bar in November 2007, Eavanna Breen, one of Ireland’s top beauty therapists, was in competition with a number of other interested parties.
Stuart and Gillian Smith
Carl Stuart Limited

Celebrating 26 years in operation laboratory solutions provider Carl Stuart Limited has reported that online sales now account for almost 10pc of overall sales, allowing it to expand to new markets.
Dylan Bryan
Credit Crunch Coupons

Thirteen-year-old Dylan Bryan, winner of the junior category in the Fingal Student Enterprise Awards, has come up with an idea that turns the recession into an opportunity.
Clare McCollum
DipStick

Clare McCollum from Portstewart, Co Antrim was the overall winner of the ‘Leaders of Tomorrow’ awards for 2010, impressing judges with her ‘DipStick’ project.
Brendan Palmer
Electronic Recycling

Hailing from the same part of Dublin as Bill Cullen, Brendan Palmer left school at 15 and served an apprenticeship as a motor mechanic before starting his first business selling car components.