Mick Crean, Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer of MicksGarage.com was the guest speaker at Mayo Association Dublin’s 21st Annual Business Lunch, recently held in the InterContinental Dublin Hotel, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4.

The Knockmore native gave an entertaining and inspirational account of how his online business has grown to become an international multi-euro entity. He shared some comical anecdotes on setting up the business from his bedroom in Knockmore in 2004 with his co-founder and twin brother Ciaran Crean, and the invaluable lessons they have both learned along the way.

Mick and Ciaran Crean, co-founders of Micksgarage.com, Dr Mona McGarry (Association President), Julie Doyle (Association Chairperson) and Harry Hughes, CEO of Portwest and EY Entrepreneur of the Year 2017.

Now known as ‘the Amazon’ for car parts and accessories. MicksGarage.com employs in excess of 60 people across its offices in Ballina, Dublin, the UK, Poland.

Mick said he now hopes to expand their base in Ballina and thus create more jobs and enterprise in the North Mayo region. MicksGarage.com plays its own part in the social corporate responsibility world as it’s the current sponsor of Knockmore GAA Club.

Dr. Mona McGarry (Association President), Mayo County Council’s chief executive Peter Hynes and Martina Hughes, Head of Communications.

Mayo Association Dublin’s Annual Business Lunch, which brought together over 450 Mayo business people from across a range of sectors, such as construction, technology, hospitality, legal, financial and the public service, provided the ideal networking opportunity for guests to meet and mingle in such a special social setting.

With this year marking the 21st anniversary of the lunch fitting tributes were paid to founding members – Former High Court Judge Margaret Heneghan, Mary King, John Garavan, Noel Howley and the late Sheila Gunning.

Mayo footballer Jason Doherty, Sean Kelly (MPOTY 20117), Minister Mary Mitchell-O’Connor, former Association Chair Paul Sammin and Detta Fanning.

Dignitaries included Minister of State for Higher Education Mary Mitchell O’Connor, TDs Dara Calleary and Jack Chambers, Senators and County Councillors. Other special guests included Mark Mellett, Vice Admiral and Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces; Peter Hynes, Chief Executive of Mayo County Council; Harry Hughes, CEO of Portwest and EY Entrepreneur of the Year 2017, along with his brothers Cathal and Owen Hughes.

Conor O’Shea, Tom Parsons, Seamie O’Shea, Jason Doherty and Robbie Hennessey

Mayo’s senior footballers – Tom Parsons, Seamus O’Shea, Robbie Hennelly, Jason Doherty, Conor O’Shea – and former all-star Kevin O’Neill also  made a special appearance.

According to Chairperson Julie Doyle (Swinford), the Association’s aim is to provide a platform for its membership to network with those in business, both in Mayo and Dublin. She praised the entrepreneurial spirit of Harry Hughes and commended him on placing business in Mayo on the international map, and also warmly welcomed Sean Kelly, managing director of Kelly’s of Newport – our current ‘Mayo Person of the Year’.

We extend a warm thanks to everyone who attended our 21st Annual Business Lunch and for their continued support of Mayo Association Dublin events in the capital. We also acknowledge the dedication and hard work of our committee, which ensured the event was a great success.

For further information on upcoming events please visit www.mayoassociationdublin.com or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram.