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Irish Independent
15 hours ago
- Business
- Irish Independent
Irish web design firm Granite Digital buys Rupert Murdoch's Zesty
The deal is expected to boost Granite's annual revenues to about €20m this year. Last November, Granite had expected to generate turnover of more than €18m in 2025. One of the companies behind Granite Digital posted a €433,000 profit in 2023, the last year for which accounts are publicly available. News UK publishes titles including The Times, The Sun and The Sunday Times, and also owns Virgin Radio in the UK. Scott Taunton, executive vice-president of News UK's broadcasting division, said the sale of Zesty to Granite will help the agency achieve its long-term growth potential. Zesty's staff will join Granite's team of digital specialists in its offices in Dublin, Cork, Galway, Belfast, New York and Dubai. Granite Digital was founded in 2009. It provides services including web design and development, digital marketing and search engine optimisation. Audi, Intel, Red Bull, Dalata Hotel Group, Lidl and Pepsi are among its clients. Zesty provides web design and development services. It was founded in 1996. Its clients include Bank of Ireland, Belfast City Council, Power NI, Rentokil and Phoenix Natural Gas. Granite said the acquisition of Zesty reinforces the firm's position as Ireland's largest independent digital agency, and expands its geographic footprint. The combined group has 170 employees and more than 1,200 clients. Conor Buckley, the CEO of Granite Digital, said the acquisition of Zesty is another 'transformative milestone' for the company. 'This deal strengthens our ability to deliver end-to-end digital solutions while expanding our technical expertise and geographic reach,' he said. Granite Digital has made a number of acquisitions in the past. Last year, it bought Limerick-based data science and digital marketing firm Coalface, and Dublin-based digital design agency Wondr. That added companies including An Post and the ESB to Granite's client list. In 2023, Granite bought Galway-based digital design firm Armour, and acquired a majority stake in New York-based creative agency LCM247. In June 2024, the company announced plans to create 50 jobs in New York by 2027 as it expands its business there.
Irish Examiner
2 days ago
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Analog Devices' Limerick unit pays out dividends of $5.42bn
The main Irish arm of semiconductor manufacturer Analog Devices has paid out combined dividends of $5.42bn (€4.67bn) this year and in 2024. New accounts show that the Limerick-based Analog Devices International UC has paid out the dividends as profits decreased by 72% to $487.78m in the 12 months to the end of November 2, 2024. The drop in profits arose mainly from non-cash amortisation costs rising from $2.04bn to $2.73bn. Revenues at the firm increased by 4% from $8.18bn to $8.55bn during the 12-month period. In May 2023, the firm announced plans to build a €630m facility in Co Limerick, adding 600 jobs to its Irish workforce. The investment at its European regional headquarters in the Raheen Business Park involved the construction of a 45,000sq ft research, development, and manufacturing facility. The directors said the results for 2024 'were in line with expectations'. They said dividends of $3.18bn were paid during 2024 and in a post-balance sheet event the company paid further dividends of $2.247bn to Analog Devices Limerick UC. Numbers employed increased by 131 from 1,626 to 1,757 during 2024. Staff was made up of 741 in manufacturing, 634 in engineering, 308 in marketing and 74 in administration as staff costs marginally increased to $195.77m. The directors said gross margin decreased primarily as a result of a change in product mix. They said the operating profit has decreased due mainly to the $695.9m increase in the amortisation of intangible assets while there was also an increase in distribution and administrative expenses of $388m to $1.83bn. The company recorded post-tax profits of $398.7m after incurring a corporation tax charge of $89m. Sounding an upbeat note, the directors said: 'Our diversified business model combined with our leading technology portfolio position the company to deliver sustainable long-term growth in the years ahead'. The directors said the company has a purpose-built European Research and Development Building at their Limerick campus and the R&D spend last year totalled $1bn - up from a spend of $615.2m in 2023 on the design, development and improvement of new and existing products and manufacturing processes. Directors' pay totalled $2.19m made up of emoluments of $715,000, $1.42m on a long-term incentive scheme and $54,000 in pension contributions. At the end of December, the firm had shareholder funds of $26.74bn. The company's cash funds increased from €163m to €570.73m.
Irish Examiner
3 days ago
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Killarney's Gallivan Financial enters Dublin market through new acquisition
Killarney wealth management firm Gallivan Financial is to acquire Dublin-based Mount Street Group and Tralee-based Kelly O'Shea Pensions & Financial Services. Financial details of the acquisitions have not been disclosed, but the deal will increase Gallivan Financial's total assets under management (AUM) to more than €650m. With several additional deals currently in exclusivity, Gallivan is now on track to surpass €1bn in AUM by the end of this year. The acquisition of Mount Street brings Gallivan's business into the Dublin market for the first time. It was the company's third major transaction in the past two years. The acquisition of Kelly O'Shea Pensions & Financial Services, which was its fourth deal, strengthens its position in Kerry. In 2023, the firm acquired Vincent Casey Life & Pensions, a Killarney-based broker, adding €80m in AUM. This was followed by the acquisition of Limerick-based financial advisory firm FJ Hanly & Associates in September 2024, contributing an additional €100m. Mount Street Group currently manages more than €150m in assets, while Kelly O'Shea Pensions & Financial Services has €40m in assets under management. Gallivan Financial is majority-owned by the Gallivan family, who previously sold Gallivan Murphy Insurance Brokers (GMIB) to US-based Assured Partners in 2022 in a deal understood to be worth €100m. Gallivan Financial was not part of that transaction. Fergal Smith, Gallivan Financial Managing Director, said they were excited to welcome both firms. "Our integration plan is centred around continuity - clients will continue working with the same trusted advisors, while benefiting from the broader resources, technology, and expertise of our combined teams," he said. "We are continuing to look for further expansion opportunities, as we seek to expand Gallivan Financial into a very significant player in the growing Irish wealth management sector. We are currently in exclusive negotiations with a number of parties and are hopeful of closing further deals before the year-end.' Marie Ainsworth, founder of Mount Street, which has more than 500 clients, said they reached the point where a decision had to be made on how to develop the business further. "Our options came down to either expanding the business, which would require an investment of capital or, to look to partner with a suitable firm which can provide the resources required," she said. "After careful consideration, I decided to initiate a process to merge the business with a partner that shared our values and vision when it comes to how we treat our customers, and our standards of service." Kelly O'Shea Pensions & Financial Services Ltd was founded in 2006 and today, has 320 clients. Founder Aidan Kelly said: "After nearly two decades building a business grounded in trust and personal service, finding the right partner for the next chapter was incredibly important. From the outset, it was clear that Gallivan Financial shared our values and long-term commitment to clients.
Irish Independent
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Kingfishr announces three Irish gigs next summer
The Limerick-based trio, consisting of lead singer Eddie Keogh, guitarist Eoin 'Fitz' Fitzgibbon and Eoghan 'McGoo' McGrath on banjo, is set to play to 50,000 fans over three concerts. The band, known for their grand, atmospheric sound and catchy melodies, have quickly risen as one of Ireland's most promising acts, appearing at Glastonbury, Electric Picnic, and Reading & Leeds festivals. Known for their hit single Killeagh, they've built a loyal following with 1.7m monthly Spotify listeners. The group today announced they will play at the SSE Arena in Belfast on June 9, followed by shows at Virgin Media Park in Cork on June 12 and at Malahide Castle in Dublin on June 13. It comes as Kingfishr will release its long-awaited debut studio album Halcyon on August 22. Fans who pre-order the album through the band's official store by midday on Monday, August 11, will gain first access to a pre-sale for tour tickets, opening at 10am on Tuesday, August 12. Meanwhile, Mastercard cardholders will have special access to Mastercard presale tickets, starting at 10am on Wednesday, August 13, and lasting until 10am on Friday, August 15. Tickets for all three gigs will go on general sale at 10am on Friday, August 15, via Ticketmaster. Prices range from €59.90 to €69.90 for Cork and Dublin shows, subject to Ticketmaster charges. The next opportunity for fans to catch Kingfishr live this year will be Limerick's sold-out Live at the Docklands show on August 22. Following the release of their album, the trio sets off on an intimate album launch acoustic tour, with shows in Limerick, Cork, and Dublin later this month. They will also have a North American run split between headline shows and gigs as a guest to Dylan Gossett. Kingfishr will kick off their Halcyon tour across Europe in November, concluding with two sold-out headline shows at the 3Arena in Dublin on December 18 and 19. The band, which blends Irish music with contemporary folk, pop, and indie, released one live album to date in 2024, Live from Dublin, which hit Ireland's top 5.
Irish Examiner
09-07-2025
- Irish Examiner
Non-national man assaulted in Limerick after ‘fabricated allegations'
Gardaí are investigating after a non-Irish national was assaulted in Limerick following 'fabricated allegations" that had been made against him. The man, aged in his 40s, was taken to University Hospital Limerick after being assaulted on July 1 at approximately 3.45pm in the Parnell Street area, near People's Park. According to a Garda spokesperson, he suffered non-life threatening injuries. The assault came after several members of the public expressed concerns about the man's alleged behaviour in People's Park on the previous day. A Garda spokesperson said: 'On Monday, June 30, 2025 a number of members of the public expressed their concern to Gardaí attached to Henry Street Garda Station, for the alleged behaviour of a man who had earlier been seated in the People's Park, Limerick.' After enquiries, Gardaí have said they are 'satisfied that the alleged conduct was not of a criminal nature and was nothing untoward'. 'The male fully co-operated with Gardaí during the course of their enquiries. Gardaí are aware that this is the same male (the male who was assaulted) that was subject of the claims expressed on Monday, June 30,' the spokesperson added. An Garda Síochána is appealing for witnesses to this incident of assault to contact Roxboro Road Garda Station on 061 214340 , the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111 or any Garda station. Online disinformation Gardaí also noted that they are aware of the 'misinformation and disinformation currently in circulation online' relating to the initial concerns raised my members of the public. They have asked for any content shared to not be 'forwarded onwards or further posted'. Limerick-based refugee and migrant rights organisation, Doras, shared a statement condemning the "fabricated allegations'. 'We are appalled by the recent assault in Limerick of a man from a migrant background, following unfounded and fabricated allegations against him. This was a targeted act of harassment and violence. It has understandably caused fear and distress within migrant communities — and, rightly, outrage among the vast majority of people in Limerick who reject racism and vigilantism,' read the statement. Doras said Limerick has a proud tradition of being a welcoming and inclusive city — and that hate and harassment has no place there. 'We urge everyone: please do not share or engage with posts or videos that spread false claims. Doing so can put innocent people in real danger.' Doras said they are providing support to the man who was assaulted. 'We stand firmly with all migrants and others who face harassment or violence simply because of who they are,' they added. 'If you witness or experience racism or a hate crime, please contact us at 083 008 6391 or email: mvs@ Read More Beach-goers warned about poisonous weever fish amid spell of hot weather
