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CARL O’GRADY ALWAYS wanted to go back to Clare Island, off the coast of County Mayo, where he was born.
He qualified as a quantity surveyor in 2010, which he admits was “probably the one of the worst times imaginable” to try to get a job in an industry inextricably linked to property.
Despite this, he found work, but always wanted to come back and start a business on the small island of 145 people, where his father founded a small hotel in 1964.
“Clare Island is my home and I always wanted to do something on the island. It’s a pretty amazing place. It’s totally unspoilt. In terms of its natural beauty it’s unparalleled, and on top of that it’s got amazing community, heritage and a diverse history.”
With these raw materials in mind, he returned in 2012 to set up the Go Explore hostel on the Island. The self catering hostel specialises in adventure breaks, and O’Grady is passionate about showing off what the island has to offer.
“If you stand on the road you could be looking at a stone age cooking site, and then scattered all around you are famine houses. Walking the road you can see from 5,500 years ago to the famine at the same time.”
Business class
He freely admits that he got “funny looks” when he decided to set up a hotel in one of the most remote regions of Ireland in the middle of the worst recession in living memory.
“I did it during the worst economic crisis the world has ever seen. I put myself into a colossal amount of debt and took a huge leap of faith”
But I did that with the understanding and the knowledge that the island had something very special to offer.
When he did start the business, he found that the risks weighed heavily on him. He argues that county councils should support early stage prospects, which in turn would encourage young entrepreneurs to take more risks.
“In terms of planning…that was a hugely difficult and costly process. At the initial start-up stage, without any commitment to carrying on with the project, a certain amount of feasibility finance for people to investigate businesses could be made available.”
“A lot of these guys are in their 30s and have been through the recession and have a mortgage that’s crippling them, and it’s hard to get capital together.”
What I’ve learned
The most important lesson he’s taken from the last three years, which has seen turnover at GoExplore rise by 60% in the first year and 20% in the second, would be to map any business project in detail before sinking cash into it.
“Do all the work before you spend anything on the actual capital of the project.”
He says that the growth his business has seen is “only because of the work that I put into identifying potential markets and opportunities…it gives you the confidence. You’ll only get that confidence if you really put that work in.”
Knowing your product before you take the leap is just so important.
Now, the hostel employs between eight and 12 people depending on the season. Employment opportunities on the island are scarce, apart from a fish farm off the coast.
He’s confident that the business will continue to deliver results, and visitors, for the rural island community. Not only that, but O’Grady says that he has opened the door for a whole new industry on the island.
“What I’ve done is paved the way for someone else to come and do something similar. We’re only three hours from Dublin and the ferry is only 15 minutes.”
For more information visit www.goexplorehostel.ie
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I stayed there Clare Island is a great location and the hostel is clean friendly staff, with a nice bar and good food
This is a good news story , the country needs more people like Carl who have the courage to follow their dreams and do something positive. Well done and good luck.
There’s no such thing as “business” in Ireland. For heaven’s sake, we’ve got an unemployment rate of about 78% and yet the sheep still continue to vote in Fine Gael and Fianna Fail.
The government should use that hostel to take care of the most vulnerable in society, instead this elite is parading his profiteering at the expense of the working classes welfare and benifits
Ha, I don’t think you are a very typical SF voter. I consider myself a typical SF voter and that doesn’t stop me from seeing successful businesses everywhere.
Steve the government have no right to take control off a private hostel which is bringing jobs and tourism. If you are so concerned about the most vulnerable in society bring them to your house.
you really are a typical SF supporter, 78% is the employment rate. with SF behind the wheel you probably would be correct.
Steve, what are you smoking? without business like this creating employment there would be lots more vulnerable in society
I am a vunerable, I have been blind in one eye since birth and have been living off disability for most of my life, I live in a tiny two bed house by myself in the city with out any help to buy food which means I have to walk as I cant drive, the only living help I get is a cleaner that comes twice a week, so dont tell me I dont know poverty. How many bedrooms does this guy have?
Steve u need to think more positively, thinking the way u are at the moment is not healthy. There are plenty of people with disabilities not letting it hold them back. Best of luck with it
A
Steve, I am sorry about your disability but your ideas on society and economics are ridiculous! As David said its not healthy for you!
The employment rate is slightly high, businesses are still trying to shake off the yoke of failed politicians. Last thing we need is a set of would be politicians telling us how to run our country. Sinn Fein, for ourselves, just like the rest of the moaners and groaners. Know anything about the 18 year old shot in both ankles last night, what are his chances of getting a job, or starting a business. Proud of this young man, actions, and a love of your country and your homeplace are to be lauded. It is not easy to start, or progress a business anywhere, never mind a small island off a small island.
Well steve its just as well everyone dont think like you wallowing in self pity with the victim mentality,otherwise we would all just have to clear out of this country to a place where possitivity is encouraged and rewarded,its just as well there are more than enough people in this country who prefer to make a possitive contribution and Carl is one of them,i say well done to him and all those other people who get up off their asses and make the effort,its the only way this country will increase employment and cut the dole numbers.
So lets get this straight.
He is only open for the past couple of years.
His Father has a hotel on the island since 1964.
Did he buy, build, borrow the hostel?
Or did he manifest it from the ether?
What’s his figures like?
“Making a business work in the Wild West (of Ireland)”
He’s only open a wet week.
Come back to me in 20 years with your balance sheet mate.
Good luck to him. A really beautiful place.
This chap opened a hostel in a premises owned by his family. Different story than setting up from scratch. Good luck to him but I wouldn’t be holding this out as some kind of success story. Most entrepreneurs don’t have the luxury of a ready made premises to operate from and rent free no doubt.
Congratulations Carl. Growing a business on an island no matter how beautiful is a major challenge. Wishing you continued success with Go Explore hostel and Adventure Islands.
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