The Irish Edge

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About the Authors

Finbarr D. Bradley
Finbarr D. Bradley teaches at University College Dublin (UCD).
He has been a professor at both Dublin City University (DCU)
and the National University of Ireland (NUI), Maynooth, and
a visiting professor at the University of Michigan, Fordham
University and Aalto University. He co-authored with James
J. Kennelly the 2008 book, Capitalising on Culture, Competing on
Difference (Blackhall Publishing), co-edited a book of essays on
Irelands economic crisis based on the 2009 MacGill Summer
School and wrote the 2011 monograph Meon Gaelach, Aigne
Nualaoch (Coiscim). He holds an engineering degree from
University College Cork (UCC) and a PhD in International
Business/Finance from the Stern School of Business, New York
University (NYU).

James J. Kennelly
James J. Kennelly is Professor of International Business at
Skidmore College, Saratoga Springs, New York. He has been
a Visiting Professor at NYUs Stern School of Business and
at Aalto University. His book The Kerry Way: A History of the
Kerry Group was published by Oak Tree Press in 2001. His
2008 co-authored book (with Finbarr Bradley), Capitalising on
Culture, Competing on Difference (Blackhall Publishing) focused
upon Irelands efforts to develop in a manner that is economically, socially and environmentally sustainable. He holds an
accounting degree from Montclair State University, New Jersey
and a PhD in International Business/Management from the
Stern School of Business, NYU.

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The Irish Edge

How Enterprises Compete on
Authenticity and Place

Finbarr D. Bradley and James J. Kennelly

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Ireland must be re-created from within. The main work must

be done in Ireland, and the centre of interest must be Ireland.
When Irishmen realise this truth, the splendid human power of
their country, so much of which now runs idly or disastrously
to waste, will be utilised; and we may then look with confidence
for the foundation of a fabric of Irish prosperity, framed in
constructive thought, and laid enduringly in human character.
Horace Plunkett, Irish co-operator and reformer, 19041

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Finbarr D. Bradley
I gcuimhne mathar Mchel, mo mhthar Mirad agus mo
mhuintir go lir at anois ar shl na frinne. Suaimhneas sora
dibh.

James J. Kennelly
Do Linda, Brendan agus Terence, agus do mo mhuintir go lir, san
am i lthair is am at thart, i gcin is i gcngar.

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Table of Contents
Preface .......................................................................................
PART I: Ireland Old and New

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1

Inis Mein .........................................................................

Introducing Inis Mein ...................................................
Authenticity and Place ....................................................
Inis Mein Restaurant & Suites .....................................
Conclusion .........................................................................

3
4
5
7
9

A New Vision of Irish Enterprise .................................

Where is the Vision? .........................................................
A Third Way .....................................................................
An Economic Aisling .......................................................
Character and Integrity ...................................................
The Experience Economy ...............................................
Reviving the Revival Spirit .............................................
Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) .................................
The Second Revival .........................................................
The Third Revival ............................................................
Who am I, What am I, Where am I? ..............................
Sargadelos ........................................................................
Heath Ceramics ................................................................
Creative Places .................................................................
Why Culture Counts .......................................................
Realising the Smart Economy .........................................
Creating Shared Value ....................................................
Greening Irelands Enterprises ......................................
Conclusion .........................................................................

11
11
14
17
18
20
23
24
28
31
32
34
34
36
38
39
43
45
48

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Table of Contents

PART II: Stories of Distinctively Irish Enterprises

49

Telling Tales .....................................................................

Introduction .......................................................................
Why Stories? ......................................................................
Introductory Tales ............................................................
Overview of Stories ..........................................................
Conclusion .........................................................................

51
51
52
55
58
59

A Place in the Heart Tourism and Travel.................

Background .......................................................................
The Evolution of a Dream ...............................................
Meeting the Marketplace .................................................
Recognition ........................................................................
Transformative Experiences ............................................
The Future ..........................................................................
Conclusion .........................................................................

61
61
66
69
72
73
75
76

Keeping the Tradition Alive Arts and Media .........

Introduction .......................................................................
Irish World Academy of Music and Dance...................
Other Voices ......................................................................
Burren College of Art ......................................................
Telegael...............................................................................
Irish as Resource ...............................................................
Conclusion .........................................................................

77
77
78
81
82
84
87
88

Making Sense (Not Stuff) Craft and Design ......... 91

Introduction ....................................................................... 91
Louis Mulcahy Pottery ..................................................... 92
Brian de Staic Jewellers .................................................... 95
Wild Goose Studio ............................................................ 96
Authentic Clothing ........................................................... 98
Conclusion ......................................................................... 100

The Green Island Farming and Food ....................... 103

Introduction ....................................................................... 103

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Table of Contents

Kerrygold ...........................................................................
Small Food Ventures ........................................................
Country Choice .................................................................
Follin .................................................................................
Origin Green ......................................................................
Food Authenticity .............................................................
Future Promise ..................................................................
Conclusion .........................................................................

104
105
106
108
109
113
116
118

The Independent Spirit of Ireland

Brewing and Distilling ...............................................
Introduction .......................................................................
Cooley Distillery ...............................................................
The Future of Irish Whiskey............................................
Conclusion .........................................................................

119
119
120
125
126

Sustainable but Scalable Global and Green ..........

Introduction .......................................................................
Global Enterprises ............................................................
Kerry Group ......................................................................
Small Green Ventures ......................................................
VOYA .................................................................................
Conclusion .........................................................................

127
127
128
130
134
135
137

PART III: Towards 2016

141

10 An Authentic Republic .................................................. 143

Endnotes ................................................................................... 151
Index .......................................................................................... 165

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Preface
Walk on air against your better judgement.
Seamus Heaney, Irish Nobel Prize winner, 19952

If we had exercised our better judgement, we would perhaps

never have written this book. It treads a path at variance with
the economic orthodoxy that now holds sway in Ireland.
But, at a time when Irish public policy remains focused upon
foreign direct investment as the primary engine, if not the
saviour, of the Irish economy, it troubles us that the accomplishments of successful, home-grown enterprises that are
intimately rooted in both the soil and culture of Ireland are
often overlooked or dismissed out of hand treated as one-off
curiosities or small enterprises that are not scalable and,
thus, not worthy of serious attention. This attitude towards
indigenous enterprises that are uniquely distinguished by
authenticity and integrity, by Irishness, reminds us of the
counsel of Taoiseach Sen Lemass, the original architect of
Irelands outward-looking economic policy. Even as he was
leading the country out of economic isolation into a tumultuous new world of international trade and investment, he
cautioned:

The people of the world will respect us only to the extent

that we respect ourselves, our history, our traditions, our
culture and our language it is all the more important
that we should preserve and develop every characteristic and value which distinguishes us from other nations.
The movement of the Irish people which brought us so

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Preface

far on the road to independent nationhood was never

inspired by materialistic motives alone. If it had been, it
would have failed, and we in our day will fail also unless
we recognise and utilise the spiritual forces which activate both men [sic] and nations.
Sen Lemass, former Taoiseach, 19613

We go even further: it is precisely these characteristics and

values which underlie significant, inimitable and very real
competitive advantages for Irish enterprises that are based
on culture, authenticity and a sense of place. After all, it is
difference, not sameness, that matters in global markets
alas, a fact scarcely appreciated in contemporary Ireland.
As Ireland searches for the right mix of policies that will
enable it to overcome its serious economic challenges, it
has often failed to notice that at least part of the answer is
right under its nose, hiding in plain sight. We believe that
an economy is only successful when it serves the needs of
the people and society in which it is embedded, and not
the other way around. Indigenous Irish enterprises characterised by distinctiveness and authenticity must play a key
role in a balanced development strategy that is financially,
socially and environmentally sustainable. The best of these
enterprises create shared value: creating social value whilst
competing successfully with the best firms in the world.
This is not just pie-in-the-sky thinking; such distinctiveness
is already exemplified in any number of Irish enterprises
that, even in the midst of economic recession, have built
competitive, world-class businesses. These enterprises,
Ireland-based and locally owned, demonstrate what we call
the Irish edge. Their stories are instructive and deserve to
be told.
We have written this book, not to propose a detailed
set of policy instructions, but to relate stories of successful
firms that build upon Irelands distinct cultural, human and
natural resources. Such enterprises are essential to build

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Preface

not only the smart economy but, ultimately, a successful,

vigorous and diverse society and nation one that is no less
globally competitive for being distinctively Irish. In a time of
no little doom and gloom, there are good stories out there!
Some are truly inspiring.
Although we are business academicians by training, this
book, whatever its faults, does not suffer from a narrow,
disciplinary perspective. We have instead taken a broad
interdisciplinary approach, for the themes that we examine
demand no less. To that end, we hope that this book is of
interest to policymakers, entrepreneurs and other business
professionals, as well as the general reader with an interest
in Ireland. Like our last book4, the emphasis is on the Republic more than Northern Ireland, but we hope our ideas apply
to the island as a whole.
If any reader has queries or comments on this work, please
contact Orpen Press at info@orpenpress.com.
Finbarr D. Bradley, Blackrock, Co. Dublin
James J. Kennelly, Saratoga Springs, New York
July 2013

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