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LAST week I decided to pick ten successful people under 40 who are making a difference in their chosen fields.
I gave you five last week (click here for last week’s post) and here’s the rest.
Gary Keane.
6. Gary Keane – Musician
Ballinorig man Gary is half of the successful duo White Boys, with other member Eoin Walsh.
Their debut single Stylin was launched in The Savoy Cork to a full house in July 2015. Gary has also played the hugely popular musical festival Electric Picnic for the last two years.
Supporting another Kerry success story Walking on Cars for two sell out gigs in The Olympia has given Gary a taste of where he wants to be musically.
Just this Christmas White Boys released a wonderful cover of “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” which gained praise from two of the bands musical idols, Bootsy Collins (funk icon and Ex-James Brown bassist) and Zapp who appeared on TuPac’s track California Love.
For 2016 the band have two singles and music videos set for release, “If it’s Alright” and “Get it Back”. Keep your eyes peeled, as shortly they will be announcing their Irish dates.
www.whiteboysmusic.com
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Paul Ruane.
7. Paul Ruane – Businessman
Midpoint Creative was born due to the love that founder Paul has for all things to do with digital imaging and visual media.
At the tender age of 22 he took the leap and started a design consultancy company. Hard work was the order of the day and Paul had the drive and ambition to convince clients of his passion for design.
Like all small companies during the crash, Paul struggled to keep his head above water and he found himself having many sleepless nights as he had to let his staff of seven go.
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As the old saying goes, what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger and that can certainly be said for Paul and his company. Today he is confident that he can and does make a huge difference to his clients and he enjoys the working relationships he has with them.
He now takes on projects that excite him including Kerry Fashion Week where he is both a director and organiser.
2016 sees many new opportunities for Midpoint Creative with exciting projects with clients nationwide and for Paul personally as a new dad he is sure 2016 is going to be a fulfilling year.
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Kieran Donaghy.
8. Kieran Donaghy – Sportsman
Success for Kieran will probably be gauged by most from his time in the Kerry jersey but four All Ireland medals, three All Stars and the Player of the Year title in 2006 is only a part of his success story.
His new role as Business Development Manager for PST Sports, leading installers of artificial pitches in Ireland is one that he relishes. It ties in well with his football career and the contacts that he has made from years on the playing pitch.
Basketball is another aspect of Kieran’s life and his camps are now a huge part of his life with children coming to Tralee from all over the country. His love of sports and the connection with children stems from his time when he was visiting schools with the Sam Maguire Cup in 2006.
It was at this time that Kieran recognized the enthusiasm children had for sport and he loves the interaction that he has with his future “Stars” His camps are the most popular in the country and his love of the sport is palpable.
His future hope is that The Super League will make a return to Tralee on Saturday nights as he believes that this will be something that kids will aspire to play in and will see the highest level back to the town.
As a new Dad to Lola Rose his hopes for his pride and joy is that she will be Wimbledon Champion in 2035. His sporting idols are Maurice Fitzgerald and Michael Jordan but I have a feeling that he is the idol of many Kerry kids.
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Rebekah Wall.
9. Rebekah Wall – Artist
Rebekah is an Irish Artist, Designer and Lecturer who is no stranger to success and has designed awards for well-known Irish celebrities including Graham Norton.
Her practice revolves around socially engaged projects, creating an opportunity for people to come together and create conversations and artwork which would never have happened prior.
Such projects have involved teaching literacy and numeracy through visual arts or working with the community on mental and physical health issues. Her work and projects have been exhibited around the world, which led to curatorial roles including the exhibition of artwork in Westlake Ohio.
As a designer she creates couture pieces of wearable art, which are often referred to as heirlooms. These pieces have been worn by many familiar faces connected to the Rose of Tralee including the former Rose Maria Walsh.
Rebekah is a former Rose herself having represented Kerry in 1998 and she loves the positive influence that the Rose of Tralee has in a young woman’s life.
Next month sees her take flight to Ohio as a guest judge for the Ohio Rose selection for 2016. While there she hopes to develop further projects, which will provide employment for Tralee.
2016 is a year that she hopes to eventually establish a centre of Creative Arts in Kerry
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Doireann Barrett.
10. Doireann Barrett – Businesswoman
The Gluten Free Kitchen Company was the brainchild of Doireann in 2011. Having been diagnosed in 2004 as a coeliac she recognized that the daytime food trade did not cater for her needs.
Today her company produces freshly baked gluten free products to restaurants, the hospitality industry and private orders.
September 2014 she was invited to a 12-week bootcamp for Bank of Ireland, which consisted of 6 Irish companies and 2 over seas.
This gave her the opportunity to be mentored by the experts in the business and opened up doors to investors. It also exposed her to a board of advisories that specialize in the franchise industry.
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Her achievements to date include, a gold star Great Taste Award, two Georgina Campbell accreditations. Irish Times best shop award and most recently hers was the only Irish company to be highly commended in The Free From awards in the UK in the corporate hospitality and catering section.
Her interesting journey was the subject of a case study by a Trinity Business School Professor and was presented at the Milan Expo in 2015.
Currently Doireann is investigating opportunities to open outlets in Ireland, the first of it’s kind in this country and one of the first in Europe and whatever happens, the future is bright for The Gluten Free Kitchen Company.
