The President of Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce, Niall Kelleher, said businessmen Donal Ring and Michael O’Donoghue are prime examples of what can be achieved in life through hard work and sheer determination.
Speaking as they were inducted into the prestigious Order of Inisfallen at a reception in historic Muckross House on Wednesday, he said both men and have set a great example for future generations to follow.
Pictures: Valerie O’Sulliven
The two entrepreneurs, who are brothers-in-law, have built up an empire creating thousands of jobs, from very humble beginnings, and they have been honoured in recognition of the enormous contribution they have made to the economic and social fabric of the community in which they live.
Donal Ring heads up Munster Joinery which employs in excess of 1,800 people in Ballydesmond, on the Cork-Kerry border, with a further 900 on the payroll in the UK.
Michael O’Donoghue is the recently retired as managing director of the O’Donoghue Ring Collection which is is now one of the largest employers in Kerry.
The O’Donoghue Ring Collection comprises the Killarney Plaza Hotel, Killarney Towers Hotel, Killarney Avenue Hotel and the River Island in Castleisland as well as the Centre Island Hotels with properties in Liverpool, Manchester and Birmingham.
Speaking at the reception in Muckross House, Niall Kelleher remarked: “Wherever and whenever you see a very successful business, it is always worth reflecting that, somewhere along the way, someone made a very courageous decision.
“Donal Ring and Michael O’Donoghue are a wonderful example of how such courageous decisions can pay off so handsomely.”
Deputy Mayor of Killarney, Cllr John O’Donoghue, said “There is scarcely a family in Killarney, or indeed its hinterland, who have not benefitted from the work of these two men, be it through employment or the services they provide”
He added: “We are extremely fortunate here in Killarney to have them both to the fore of social and economic life within our town”.
MC at the ceremony, hotelier and Muckross House Trustee Geraldine Rosney, said Donal Ring was a remarkable businessman whose contribution to the community has been “absolutely enormous”.
“He has every right to be proud of what he has done and achieved and for what he continues to do and achieve.
Picture: Valerie O’Sullivan
“May the next chapter in the Munster Joinery story be as successful as the story has been so far, under your visionary leadership,” she remarked.
She said when Michael O’Donoghue commits himself to something, he does so totally and when he dreams, he dreams big.
“What he has achieved, what he has done and what he has contributed to the overall benefit and well-being of Killarney and Kerry is spectacular,” she added.
The Order of Inisfallen is a collaboration between Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce and Killarney Municipal District Council and it is administered by Cáirde Chill Áirne.
Previous award recipients include actor Michael Fassbender, former Taoiseach Enda Kenny, industrialist Isolde Liebherr, Charles, the former Prince of Wales and now King of England and entertainer Daniel O’Donnell.
Inisfallen Island is one of Killarney’s best-known and most historic heritage sites. It began as a place of healing and became a major centre of learning where the Annals of Inisfallen, the oldest contemporary source of the history of Munster, were scripted.
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