More than 120 Dublin-based Donegal natives came together recently in the capital for the inaugural meeting of a new business-focused network which aims to promote mutually beneficial new relationships.
Those present in the Dtwo venue at the Harcourt Hotel heard a series of guest speakers outline the benefits that will flow if the new group’s members proactively leverage the strong links and positive energy that is always evident when those from the northwest encounter each other.
Master of ceremonies and member of the meeting’s organising committee Paul Doyle listed a series of benefits that would flow from such encounters including the opportunity for network members to refer business to each other, broaden their contact base, promote each other’s businesses with peers and provide advice, leads and direction to each other.
He said many young people had left Ireland during the recession resulting in a deficit of qualified and experienced labour in the capital. This meant an opportunity existed to also promote job opportunities within the network and assist those forced to leave Donegal to seek employment opportunities.
“Our committee quickly realised that this Network had important potential in Dublin, where there is a significant community in the business world with strong Donegal linkages. We hope to bring these individuals together within the Donegal Dublin Business Network (DDBN) so that they can meet each other and develop sustainable business relationships,” explained the Letterkenny man and Managing Director of Bannon Commercial Property Consultants.
Paul Doyle, Joe McHugh and Ruairi MacCumhaill of Mason Hayes Curran Solicitors (a Sponsor).
The gathering stemmed from an idea by Minister for the Diaspora Joe McHugh, who had witnessed the power of business networking amongst Irish communities in cities such as Vienna and Edinburgh.
The Minister told the gathering that, having realised this concept could be replicated to benefit Donegal people in Dublin, he reached out to a small group of people and offered support as they scoped out the concept. Minister McHugh acknowledged the pivotal role of Gartan native Sally Anne Sherry in making the idea a reality.
The DDBN invited three special guests to address the event, each successful within very different spheres of business in Dublin. First to speak was Danielle Conaghan of Ballybofey, who is a Partner in Arthur Cox Solicitors, the largest law firm in Ireland.
She said she had been in Dublin for 17 years and had never witnessed a business-focused gathering like the one she was now addressing.
“It is great to see so many Donegal people in the room,” she added, “because it shows that there is a significant network there to be flexed. I would encourage everyone here tonight to seize the opportunity to make this group a success and actively use it to become connectors, un-blockers and sponsors for each other in the world of business.”
Sean McEwen, a senior global vice president for the multinational biopharmaceutical company AbbVie, spoke at the event in a personal capacity and encouraged those present to build on the energy that was palpable within the room.
“Business is about people and community is about people. The opportunity has now been created for those from Donegal who present tonight to leverage both. I’d like to make a special case for the potential of mentorship because there are lots of very experienced people present tonight from an extremely diverse business base. These individuals have gone through significant challenges and their ability to mentor, guide and assist Donegal counterparts through a network like this is enormous,” the former county footballer from Letterkenny added.
Last to speak was Donagh Kelly from Donegal Town, CEO of KN Networks, a major international telecommunications company and current title sponsor of the Donegal Senior Team. He thanked Minister McHugh and the DDBN for igniting a flame. He said the innate sense of pride in Donegal was the common denominator that bound people from the county together.
“This initiative will be a tremendous success. I believe that if anyone has an issue they need to address in business, they can find the answer in this room tonight. I urge everyone present to be open to interdependence and I challenge them to be active participants and not just members of the Donegal Dublin Business Network. You have to put something in before you get something out,” the entrepreneur added.
Paul Doyle, Minister Joe Mc Hugh, Sally Anne Sherry.
The organising committee thanked the many businesses with Donegal links that donated spot prizes for the meeting and made special mention of the McGill family who made the Harcourt Hotel available as a venue and BRM Building Limited and Mason Hayes Curran Solicitor for sponsoring the refreshments.
Following on from the success of the event, the DDBN plan to bring Donegal people from the business community that are based in Dublin together again in May for a second networking meeting.
For information on future events, join the Donegal Dublin Business Network group on LinkedIn, follow @DDBN2017 on Twitter or Email donegaldublinbusinessnetwork@gmail.com.
Event Sponsors
The McGill Family (The Harcourt Hotel)
BRM Building Limited
Mason Hayes Curran Solicitors
Spot Prize Sponsors
www.laveesha.com
The Chop House, Ballsbridge
Ollie’s Bar & Restaurant, Sandyford
The Harcourt Hotel
VP McMullin Solicitors
Hartnett Hayes Solicitors
Joe Hegarty
Excel Partners Ireland (Sean “Hemish” Carr)
