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.

Bernard Walsh - Hot Irishman

This company has gone from being about 40pc to 90pc export-based in five years.

Finding the best locations is one of the secrets of John Boyle's success.

In the space of ten years, Voya has achieved impressive export growth.

Over the years Edmond O'Reilly has established a number of different businesses.

In 1995 Sahar Hashemi c-founded one of the UK's original coffee brands with her brother Bobby.

In the past seven years Irish Dog Foods has grown from a turnover of €3m to €30m.

Alan Gilligan, Amy Wright and Simon Dunne
Onoffer.ie

Launched by three friends – Alan Gilligan, Amy Wright and Simon Dunne – Onoffer.ie showcases the latest deals from retailers and businesses around Ireland, ranging from hotel breaks away, meal deals at restaurants and hairdressing offers.
Sara and Gavin Mitchell
Poulet Bonne Femme

When Sara Mitchell’s husband, Gavin, became redundant in September 2008, the pair took the opportunity to follow their dream to set up Ireland’s first rotisserie chicken business.
Sean Burke
Publicliability.ie

A website promising up to 50pc savings on public liability insurance has been launched by a Galway-based insurance broker.
John and Adrian Britton
Road Team

A Co Donegal-based company, Road Team, is offering road maintenance cost savings of between 30pc-60pc to local authorities and a reduction in carbon emissions by up to 90pc by recycling and reusing existing road materials.
Rita Shah
Shabra Plastics and Packaging

Since coming to Ireland in the Eighties, joint managing director and co-founder of Shabra Plastics and Packaging Rita Shah has successfully diversified the company to be a leader in recycling and manufacturing of plastics products.