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Irish Examiner
a day ago
- Lifestyle
- Irish Examiner
See the office unit transformed into a chic coastal apartment
In the throes of a housing crisis, a little imagination and skill can go a long way, as happened in Youghal, County Cork, where a ground-floor office unit in an apartment block has been given a new identity. All of this has been made possible by the vision and imagination of interior designer and stylist Catherine O'Flynn and her strong collaboration with her client.'There are towns full of commercial properties with potential to be turned into homes,' says Catherine. 'There are such advantages to living in the town, seeing neighbours and walking to the shops.' The finished home is something quite inspiring and far from the dark, soulless office space, storage room and plant room for the entire building Catherine found on her first visit. The kitchen features a vertical solid oak room divider, on the right. Lack of outdoor space can be off-putting with commercial property, she points out, but she has been successful in opening up the rear wall to add windows and a patio door, and create a low-maintenance terrace which will later have a free-standing raised platform to access sea views. To the front, planters border a patio which catches the western sun, but it is inside where the design magic has truly happened, carving out a spacious open-plan kitchen, dining and living room running from the back to front of the home; a snug, two en-suite bedrooms, a main bathroom and utility room. The dining area features a limited-edition print by Cork-based artist Cora Murphy. Among many standout design features, light planning bears testament to the value of hiring someone who knows how to maximise light and who sees space-planning as more than furniture placement. 'We zoned the open-plan with lighting pendants over the dining area and kitchen island, and we inserted an LED strip into the ceiling in the living area, says Catherine. 'The bedrooms are done similarly with wall lights for reading. The main bedroom. 'The client really wanted a bedroom suite, so she has her bedroom, a large ensuite and a walk-in dressing area. A different client might have wanted to use the space to create more bedrooms as the footprint of the property is closer to a three or four-bedroom house, but the bedroom suite was really important to her.' Ensuite bathroom of the master bedroom. There are also built-in wardrobes which have a subtle surface finish resembling linen. It adds the notion of texture, a theme Catherine has introduced throughout. 'The client's brief was for a coastal look which we've done with a blue and white colour scheme, but she also wanted glamour, so instead of the usual cottons, we've used a range of textures in rugs, upholstery and cushions.' Open-plan living, left; the entrance hallway, above right; the 'snug room', below right. Sandy tones are also evident in laminate flooring in the open-plan area, detailed in art and woodwork, along with a pop of warmth in brass picture frames, light switches and accessories. In what might otherwise have been the almost sterile contrast of blue and white, Catherine has expanded the colour theme, adding various shades of blue, teal and green. Adam O'Sullivan of AOS Carpentry & Joinery put the finishing touches to bathroom shelves and cabinets. The effect is restful, fresh and clean, but also warm and inviting. One deviation from the colour theme, however, is the utility room where units housing appliances are made to the same design as the kitchen, but where the client opted to finish them in Farrow & Ball's Sulking Room pink for a feminine touch. Storage is particularly generous, something often sorely lacking in apartments, but here in the utility, as in the entire home, it's been excavated out of every alcove and sometimes even designed around unsightly pipework in the main bathroom. Bedroom two at the renovated property in Youghal. Throughout, light and shade are utilised for atmosphere, notably in the snug. 'It's a more masculine space and has a cocooning feel,' says Catherine. 'It's a lovely space for winter for the client's sons to watch sport.' The feeling is helped by a lush, dark blue carpet that complements the squishy sofa, which faces a media wall inset with an electric fire. Adam O'Sullivan of AOS Carpentry & Joinery checking the doors of the textile grey fitted robes in the main bedroom. This wall and another in the open-plan room are the work of local craftsman Adam O'Sullivan of AOS Carpentry and Joinery, whose skill is also evident in the built-in wardrobes, storage units and oak slatted screen in the kitchen. It was, undoubtedly, a challenging design undertaking and a brave one at that, but Catherine says it's all about the interior designer's relationship with the client. 'There has to be constant communication and trust," adds Catherine. "I need to pull the personality and vision from them. I don't want to walk out the door and leave them with what is my taste and not theirs.'
Irish Examiner
4 days ago
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Profits and revenues surge at family-run fast food operator Dino's
Pre-tax profits at the Cork-based fast food operator, Dino's, last year increased more than fourfold to €708,948. Accounts filed by the Cregan family-run Dino's Group Ltd show that the group recorded the jump in profits as revenues rose by 8% from €7.43m to €8.03m in the 12 months to the end of July last. The group employs 160 and only last month expanded to open a new drive-thru in Midleton. It also has outlets at Ballincollig, Douglas, Blackpool, Bishopstown, Grange, Kinsale, and Turner's Cross. Director at the group, Noel Cregan said the increase in revenues and profits was achieved through organic growth with in-store footfall increasing year over year. The business also received a boost with third-party sales where Dinos-branded product is now available on the shelves of other retail outlets. Mr Cregan said: 'We have partnered with various wholesale distributors in Ireland to get our product on the shelves of local supermarkets." He said: '2022/23 was an exceptional year for raw material costs. For much of the year, potato prices had increased to an unsustainable level. Fortunately they have reverted somewhat, albeit still not at pre-pandemic levels. He said: 'Dino's are committed to using locally grown produce in our stores, and our potato supply comes specifically from farmers in east Cork. 'We offer the best quality and aim to be the best for value for money in the market. "Our aim is to remain the most competitive in the market among our competitors. Staff costs last year increased from €2.8m to €3.03m. The accounts show that the company has obtained bank funding for €2.275m for the construction and fit-out of its new drive-thru in Midleton. Mr Cregan said that the project has been in development for some time and to date, 'the new store has been a great success, and we are delighted to bring Dinos to Midleton and engage with the local community there'. The directors state that 'the group plans to concentrate on improving the profitability of its current business in the hot food takeaway retail sector and intends to expand the number of retail outlets in the next few years". Mr Cregan's parents, Denis and Mary, started the business in the early 1970s and Noel is one of seven Cregans involved in the business with 'five of us on a full-time basis and two on the periphery'. He said that his parents have 15 grandchildren 'and the ones that are old enough have all worked in the business at some point also'. Accumulated profits at the end of July 2024 totalled €5.93m. Cash funds increased from €512,361 to €602,792. Read More Cork publican Benny McCabe hails city revival with opening of The Fountain bar
Irish Examiner
6 days ago
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Cork-based services company Org Group acquires Brussels-based firm
Cork-based services firm Org Group has announced it has acquired Brussels-based European workforce solutions firm Enterprise Digital Resources (EDR). Org Group said the acquisition strengthened and expanded its access to a 'network of high-skilled consultants at a time when businesses are accelerating digital transformation and facing heightened talent demands'. Financial details of the acquisition have not been disclosed. EDR provides specialised tech staff to clients in countries across Europe including France, Belgium, UK, and Ireland. It focuses on areas such as enterprise resource planning, human capital management, enterprise performance management, as well as customer relationship management. Org Group chief executive Seb O'Connell said EDR's deep domain expertise was a 'natural fit for Org Group'. 'This complements our capacity to deliver impactful digital and organisational transformation through the right mix of strategy, systems, and people.' Org Group is the holding company for Irish-owned recruitment firm Morgan McKinley, business process services company Abtran, and advisory firm Org. The group employs 3,000 people in 10 countries. EDR director James Parker said Org Group 'shares our belief that skills and talent are the engine behind successful transformation'. 'Joining the group enables us to scale our impact and support more organisations in navigating the future of enterprise technology.' Last month, the company also acquired global technology recruiting business Venturi. Venturi is headquartered in Manchester, with offices in New York, USA and Düsseldorf, Germany. Its clients include Red Kite, Bet 365, and Money Supermarket. The company has annual revenues of about £40m (€47.5m).
Irish Examiner
20-06-2025
- Business
- Irish Examiner
My Job: Protecting and growing investors' money — in Cork and beyond
Name: Kevin Canning Occupation: Managing director, Quintas Capital Background: Cork-based investment firm specialising in private market opportunities for private and institutional investors. It specialises in providing bespoke private market investment opportunities tailored for private investors, family offices, and institutional investors. Remembering the most useful piece of financial counsel he ever received, Kevin Canning's response is succinct: 'The best personal financial advice I've received is simple but powerful: 'Always protect your capital.' Or, as one client once said: 'Don't lose my money.' Chasing outsized returns at the cost of potential capital loss rarely ends well,' he adds. 'Preservation of capital should always come first.' As to what general commercial counsel he lives by, Kevin says: 'From a business perspective, the best advice has been: 'Control your operating expenses'. "Revenue rarely arrives exactly when you expect it, but operating expenses always have to be paid. So ensure you leave a large buffer.' At a time when markets are roiling from the combined uncertainty around tariffs and ever-increasing global conflict, he says investor sentiment remains cautious, as it always should be. 'Making an investment, and staying the course, requires discipline and a long-term view, especially in volatile times. Public markets can be particularly challenging due to daily pricing and the emotional toll of sharp drawdowns triggered by events like policy shifts or trade tensions.' In contrast, he says private markets are less reactive and therefore easier for many investors to navigate emotionally. 'This stability is one of their key advantages, amongst many others.' As a private market investment firm — one of the few in Ireland and only in Cork — Quintas Capital offers a number of advantages compared to public markets, including potential for higher returns; lower short-term volatility, a longer-term investment horizon and significant tax planning benefits. The firm focuses on two- to five-year investments across the Employment and Incentive Investment Scheme (EIIS), private equity and private credit, with a strong emphasis on tax-efficient strategies. "Private investing is deeply local in nature. A strong understanding of local markets and communities is essential, which is why it's important we foster more homegrown Irish private market firms, rather than depending heavily on international capital." Quintas Capital sees Cork as a very attractive market for investment, especially with the ambitious development plans set for the next two decades. The Marina development, for example, has great potential. Through our EIIS fund, we're currently investing in several social infrastructure projects including state-of-the-art creches opening in Midleton and Douglas this summer, and a new sports facility in the Marina due to launch later this year. While Cork is a major focus, the firm's investment strategy also extends across Ireland, the UK, and the UAE. 'That said, we're especially proud to be championing Cork as a thriving hub for private investment outside of Dublin.' As to whether private companies have an advantage in adapting more effectively than their public peers, he says rather than comparing the abilities of individual companies, the more important investment discussion is around the contrast between active management in public versus private markets. 'In public markets, traditional active management is fading. Most investors now favour lower-cost Exchange Traded Fund's and no longer rely on expensive stockbrokers. "But in private markets, a trusted investment manager is essential. It's incredibly difficult to navigate private investments alone unless you have a full family office infrastructure. Today's top-tier wealth managers offer far more than just stock-picking, they provide integrated advice across tax planning, estate structuring, budgeting, and crucially, access to high-quality private market opportunities. That's where firms like Quintas Capital come in.' Legendary investor Warren Buffett once advised potential stock market speculators: 'Be fearful when others are greedy and greedy when others are fearful.' Kevin Canning adds investing is as much about temperament as it is about technical knowledge. 'Emotional discipline is critical, especially in public markets, where constant news flow and pricing updates can lead to reactive decisions.' "In private markets, where investments are typically longer-term and less volatile day-to-day, there is more space for rational decision-making. But in either case, successful investing requires patience, a long-term view, and the ability to stay calm when markets are anything but. The Employment Investment Incentive Scheme is the bedrock of what they do at Quintas Capital, he explains. 'We currently invest over €10m annually through EIIS, and that figure is rising steadily. What makes our approach different is that we focus on social infrastructure — projects like solar energy, childcare centres, sports facilities, and hotels. These not only offer compelling returns and 50% tax relief upfront for investors, but they also provide real community impact. In the main, I believe anyone earning over €100,000 annually should be exploring EIIS. "Yet current participation rates are far too low — just €50m to 60m is invested in the scheme each year. That number should be closer to €100m, and we really believe we can make that happen.' The fact significant amounts of money remain in bank deposit accounts earning next to nothing is a complex topic best looked at through the prism of banking fundamentals. 'Banks operate by taking depositors' money and lending it out to borrowers, with their profit in the margin between what they pay depositors and what they earn from loans. However, depositors are indirectly exposed to the risk profile of the bank's lending decisions and in the event of a failure, any deposits over €100,000 may not be protected.' A growing alternative, both in Ireland and globally, is private credit. 'This essentially bypasses the bank, allowing investors to lend directly to borrowers such as real estate developers or SMEs. Investors can potentially earn returns in the region of 8%-15% per annum, without exposure to the banking system. At Quintas Capital, this area is growing rapidly. We originate capital for these deals from high-net-worth individuals and family offices — some of whom operate private credit as a core part of their business model.' Despite the ongoing global geo-political turbulence, Kevin remains very optimistic about Ireland's economic outlook overall, and particularly for Cork. 'While there are valid concerns about our reliance on US multinationals, global supply chains can't shift overnight, and Ireland remains a strategic location. Our sovereign wealth fund, the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund, continues to grow and play a vital role in long-term national development.' It is essential investment continues in critical infrastructure projects like the Cork Docklands regeneration and the proposed Cork Luas. 'Supporting homegrown investment firms is also crucial — no one cares more about Ireland's long-term success than Irish-owned businesses rooted in the local economy.' Read More My Job: Paul Sheridan on 25 years of the Tour de Munster
Irish Independent
18-06-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
Applications for 28 long-term rental homes in Cork city now open
The new Cost Rental homes are located in Longview, in the northside city suburb, and delivered by Clúid in partnership with Cork City Council. The rents for these homes will be up to 30% below the average for the area. Clúid opened applications for the next two weeks, which can be made up until 5pm on Wednesday, July 2. Interested applicants will be able to apply for one of the five brand new two-bed houses, with a rent of €1,340 per month, or one of the 23 three-bed houses with a rent of €1,479 per month. Clúid expects residents to begin getting their keys in late August. Interested parties need to register their interest online, via and upload supporting documentation to the online portal. Documents required include proof of identity, bank statements to prove household income, and employer and landlord references. Colin Byrne, head of affordable rental at Clúid Housing, said: 'We're delighted to be opening our third Cost Rental scheme in Cork City at Longview. Ballyvolane is a buzzing suburb, with a range of retail and leisure options, and Cork City Centre is easily accessible by public transport,' he said. 'We anticipate all these factors will lead to high levels of interest.' ADVERTISEMENT Learn more Mr Byrne recommended those interested in the housing to start the application process as soon as possible. The homes are near the schools and shops of Ballvolane, with Cork City and a range of employment hubs in close proximity. As well the landscaped green areas, play spaces and a new greenway within the scheme, residents can also enjoy the open space and amenities of Glen River Park, just a short walk away. Cost Rental homes is a new form of renting housing tenure in Ireland and are designed for people who do not qualify for social housing or other support like Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) but also struggle to rent in the open market. To be eligible for Cost Rental homes, applicants must be able to prove that their household income is below €59,000 per year, they do not receive housing support, they can afford the rent, they don't own a property already and the household is the correct size for the home. The Longview Cost Rental homes were delivered by Clúid in partnership with Cork City Council, and with the support of the Department of Housing, Heritage and Local Government, The Housing Agency and the Housing Finance Agency. The developer is Longview Estates Ltd. and the main contractor is Cork-based CField Construction.
