Aileen Markey – Unglu-d
It was while living in New York City that Aileen Markey made the decision to return to Ireland after being abroad for almost three decades. She decided to quit corporate life and set up her own business and thought home would be a good place to do it.
Barra Kelly – SHD Consulting Engineers
Barra Kelly was working on a project for BP in South Korea when he got the call from his wife, who was at their home in Scotland, to tell him she was pregnant. It was then he realised that he no longer wanted to live so far from home and the couple set the wheels in motion to move back to Ireland.
Carol Banahan – Carol’s Stock Market
Carol Banahan left her job as a stock trader in Canada to make hand-made stock back home in Ireland.“I had no idea if I had what it took to be an entrepreneur, but I am absolutely loving it.”
Ciara McGuane- Rahoo
Ciara McGuane spent nine years in the UK where she trained and worked as a teacher before branching out into professional development for teachers. Ciara returned to Ireland in 2016 and, the following year, set up her business, Rahoo, in Co Clare.
Colin Brett – PlayerStat Data
It was in London that Colin became a football analyst for Football Radar and this set him on route to set up his business, Suir Analysis(rebranded in July ’20 as
PlayerStat Data), in 2018, based in Waterford.“It was a difficult decision to uproot from London, but one that was going to have to be made at some point,” says Colin.
Darragh Lynch – Ucello Designs
“There’s a sense of safeness and familiarity when the plane touches down at Dublin airport, no matter how long you’ve been away or how beautiful or exotic the location you are returning from.”
Eoghan McMahon – Beyond Scent
After spending 18 years in the Middle East and Asia, Eoghan McMahon relocated Beyond Scent, the custom fragrances company he founded in Dubai, to Dublin.“Exclusivity, sustainability and emotion guide everything we do.”
Eoin McGloughlin – Memfies
Eoin McGloughlin returned to his native Sligo from Australia to set up Memfies, his crowdsourced video content company.“It’s a very simple concept matching the public as the ‘social videographer’ with our editing team.”
Kayleigh Breen – The Wedding Wizard
Organising their wedding from Dubai inspired Kayleigh and Mike Breen to create The Wedding Wizard – a wedding planning platform that eases the stress of planning a wedding.
Kevin Finn – KF Physio
KF Physio provides training and education for healthcare professionals in the sports injury sector, alongside advising athletes with an injury prevention consultancy service.
Kevin Gallivan – Co-Digi
“Setting up the business was nerve-racking initially. You have the same fears and worries as anyone else. But business is very good.” Set up in January 2019 in Dublin, Co-Digi started trading in April 2019 and works with innovative tech companies to help them hire key sales and account management personnel.
Laura Bonner- The Muff Liquor Company
After spending six years in London working in the property sector, Laura Bonner returned to her native Donegal to set up her business — The Muff Liquor Company.
Mark Holland – Sport in Schools
Mark Holland returned to Ireland from Australia to follow his passion for nurturing children’s health and well-being.“I’ve always wanted to start my own business and I’m very passionate about children’s health and well-being.”
Nicholas Ryan- Thomond Gate Whiskey
Nicholas Ryan initially left Ireland in 2011 and worked in the FinTech and Finance industries for eight years before finding the pull of home too strong. He moved home with a dream of creating Limerick’s first whiskey in 100 years.
Shane Bourke – Irish Office Space
Shane Bourke has used his experience in the London property scene to set up a unique business in Ireland helping companies find flexible office space.“I have a better quality of life since moving home. Although I still work hard and put in long hours, I find it more rewarding.”
Shayne Murphy – SDM Performance
After spending more than 10 years working with elite football clubs in the UK, including Manchester City and Liverpool FC, Shayne Murphy returned home to set up SDM Performance, making his expertise and experience available to a broader range of athletes, teams and businesses.