WEALTH October 29, 2025 0 Comments

Inside the Room Where Ireland’s Boldest Owner-Managers Unlock the Secrets to Explosive Growth and Unstoppable Ambition

Ever wondered what truly fuels long-term business success in Ireland today? Last week in Dublin, Dains Ireland packed the house, joining forces with The Currency to bring together some of the sharpest Irish business minds. The spotlight was on Tommy Kelly—entrepreneur extraordinaire, ESW founder, and the driving force behind Sherry FitzGerald—who didn’t just talk shop but unraveled the gritty realities of leadership, ambition, and the art of building lasting value. With nearly every seat taken, the energy was palpable as Tommy, now steering his family office CastleGate into fresh property ventures, shared his hard-earned insights on growing a business with a crystal-clear vision, robust management, and a structure designed to weather the storms. It wasn’t just about numbers—it was a conversation about seeing beyond them, spotting opportunity in changing buyer behaviors, and crafting a property platform that truly serves clients end-to-end. Neal Morrison, Dains Ireland’s Regional Managing Partner, captured it best: scaling wildly yet staying grounded is no contradiction—it’s the secret sauce. For anyone serious about growth that lasts and knows value isn’t merely a figure on a balance sheet but a pulse-check on real opportunity, this evening held some invaluable lessons. Curious to see how ambition meets disciplined valuation on Irish turf? Dive in and experience the energy that’s reshaping business conversations across the island. LEARN MORE

Dains Ireland welcomed a full room of Irish business owners in Dublin last week for an event held in partnership with The Currency.

The evening featured entrepreneur Tommy Kelly, founder of ESW and owner of Sherry FitzGerald, who shared his reflections on leadership, ambition, and building value over the long term.

Tommy, who recently expanded his property interests through his family office, CastleGate, spoke about the thinking behind his investments and how he approaches business growth.

In conversation with The Currency’s Ian Kehoe, he discussed how clarity of vision, strong management, and the right structure can create lasting success.

“The vision for Sherry FitzGerald is to grow across the island of Ireland,” he said.

“We’re adding depth to the business both geographically and through the range of services we offer. The goal is to create a more complete property platform that supports clients from start to finish.”

He also spoke about how buyers and investors are changing, and how this shift is shaping new opportunities. “We’re seeing a different demographic with different needs,” he said.

“People want a smoother and more connected experience. There’s still plenty of scope to build on that.”

For Neal Morrison, Regional Managing Partner of Dains Ireland, the event captured what the firm aims to offer ambitious business owners.

“Tommy’s story resonated because it is rooted in experience,” said Neal.

“He has scaled at an extraordinary level, yet his advice to business owners was refreshingly practical. Know your numbers, understand your market, and be clear about what value really means.”

Neal said the response from attendees had been overwhelmingly positive.

“The feedback has been fantastic,” he said.

“People talked about how grounded the discussion felt, how it made them think differently about their own growth plans. There was a real sense of shared energy and purpose in the room.”

As someone deeply focused on corporate finance, Neal highlighted how important it is for owner-managers to connect ambition with valuation discipline.

“Growth is exciting, but it must be underpinned by a clear understanding of value,” he said.

“That applies whether you are planning an acquisition, raising investment, or strengthening your business for the future. Valuation is not just a technical process; it’s a way of seeing where the real opportunity lies.”

Tommy also spoke with warmth about what keeps him motivated.

“I get up every day and I’m happy doing the work,” he said. “I love what I do. That feeling hasn’t changed.”

The event reflected Dains Ireland’s growing presence in the Irish market and its commitment to supporting business leaders who are focused on sustainable growth.

As Neal summed up, “When you bring together people who are ambitious and open-minded, the conversation goes beyond numbers. It becomes about vision, courage, and what it really takes to build something that lasts.”

Photo: Owen Sheehy, Neal Morrison, Tommy Kelly, Rachel Murphy, Ian Kehoe