Meadows & Byrne is a Cork family business selling homewares, furniture, fashion and a few other things. Its history though goes back decades to a time when an entrepreneur from Blarney set up a number of businesses. All of which failed till in the end one didn’t.
After selling Aran sweaters to Americans from a caravan in Blarney in the 1960’s, Christy Kelleher knew he needed to go big. Mahony’s Mills lay empty in the village, closing in 1972 after a long history of producing tweeds, woollens and worsted cloths, knitting wools and hosiery.
In 1975, Christy Kelleher bought the mills establishing Blarney Woollen Mills. With the help of his family, he positioned it as a premier destination for Irish design and knitwear, which drew local but mainly American visitors. His vision was clear: to create a thriving tourist business centered on Irish-made goods, celebrating the nation’s craftsmanship and rich heritage. When Kelleher passed in 1991, he left behind not just a successful enterprise, but a legacy with Blarney Woollen Mills as a leading Irish tourist retailer.
Integral to Blarney Woollen Mills’ success was Kelleher’s daughter, Freda Hayes, who had served as CEO from the beginning. Yet, following her father’s death, the other five members of the family sought change. Hayes departed the business in late 1991, leaving her to decide on her next step. At just 40, she was far from ready to rest on past achievements.
Hayes began the search for her next project, one focused on the Irish retail market. In 1992, she acquired Central Hall on Academy Street in Cork and launched Meadows & Byrne, a modern Irish homeware brand with a commitment to quality and design. Within a few years, Meadows & Byrne became a staple, expanding to twelve locations across Ireland and a website – Meadowsandbyrne.com .
In 2000, with Blarney Woollen Mills facing renewed difficulties, the family sought Hayes’ return. She rejoined the company, merging Meadows & Byrne with Blarney Woollen Mills to establish a robust enterprise. Today, the combined group operates 16 locations across Ireland, employing over 500 people and serving as a champion of Irish manufacturing and design.
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