Latest news with #O'Donoghue's
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
‘Profound Heartbreak': First Descents Announces Sudden Death of ‘Beloved' CEO
For nearly 25 years, Colorado nonprofit First Descents has taken cancer survivors on free weeklong trips into the wilderness. The internal struggle of feeling powerless against a potentially fatal illness can last far longer than physical symptoms, and First Descents aims to help these survivors regain confidence in both mind and body. So it was with 'profound heartbreak' that the organization announced the sudden death of its longtime CEO, Ryan O'Donoghue, this week. For 14 years, O'Donoghue served as an effective leader of the nonprofit, helping it grow and providing more than 13,000 participants with outdoor experiences. But O'Donoghue also had his own struggles. After battling a 'long and serious mental health illness,' he took his own life on May 9, First Descents said in a public statement. He was 46. 'This loss has touched us all, as it's a heartbreaking reminder that none of us are immune to emotional pain, no matter our role, success or dedication to helping others,' the organization said. 'If you are struggling, please know you are not alone.' Though he had lived in Colorado for many years, O'Donoghue grew up in Ohio. He was born in Bay Village in 1978, where he excelled in both football and wrestling, according to his obituary. He was a good student, receiving awards throughout high school before attending and graduating with a finance degree from Georgetown University — with honors. But O'Donoghue also excelled in sports. He was captain of his university's football team, eventually earning recognition as an Academic All-American in 2000 and 2001. In his early career, he worked in Accenture's Strategy Practice, managing Fortune 500 clients across several industries. Then 'the mountains were calling,' according to his obituary, and O'Donoghue moved to Colorado. That's where he became an avid hiker and mountain biker, as well as an expert skier. He also faced personal tragedy with cancer long before joining First Descents. In 2005, his twin brother, Colin, died from cancer at age 28 — an event that changed O'Donoghue's life. From that point on, he dedicated himself to cancer advocacy for young adults. O'Donoghue's new mission first led him to found a nonprofit called Rise Above It. Committed to advancing the field of adolescent and young adult oncology — and dedicated to Colin's memory — the organization lasted for 12 years, according to O'Donoghue's LinkedIn. While still running Rise Above It, he took on a job with the LIVESTRONG Foundation. For about 2 years, he managed the nonprofit's major gifts, grants, and corporate partners. His work with both of those organizations led him to First Descents, which he joined as executive director in 2013. It wasn't long until his work received recognition. The Denver Business Journal named him in the 2018 class of 40 under 40 honorees, and publications including ColoradoBiz and CNN also praised First Descents during his tenure leading the nonprofit. In 2023, Outside Magazine put First Descents on its '50 Best Places to Work' list in 2023. Responding to the honor, O'Donoghue said that 'listening to our community' helped the nonprofit understand how to help cancer survivors and care for its employees. 'The courage, vulnerability and resilience of our participants motivates us to lean in with purpose and passion, and reminds us that 'Out Living It' is more than a tagline — it's a way of life,' O'Donoghue said. O'Donoghue leaves behind his wife Tara, daughter Marley Joy, his parents, and many other family members. 'The word is out but I'm at a loss for words,' his wife Tara O'Donoghue wrote Thursday in a social media post. 'It's all so surreal but the heaviness of my heart grounds me in reality. Mental health is a tricky puzzle and we are trying to put together the shattered pieces. I will keep Ryan's memory alive and share more in time. For now, be at peace my love.' Cancer Survivor, Single Mom, Olympic Gold Medalist: Watch the Struggle in 'KIKKAN' Documentary
Sunday World
25-04-2025
- Business
- Sunday World
Huge surge in profits at popular Dublin pub thanks to the Taylor Swift effect
New accounts filed by the Barden family-owned O'Donoghues (Merrion Row) Ltd show that the business recorded the €902,887 post-tax profits in the 12 months to the end of last June after recording post-tax profits of €215,886 in the previous year. Taylor Swift brought her Eras Tour to the Aviva Stadium in Dublin last year. Photo: Getty The firm behind one of Ireland's best-known pubs, O'Donoghue's on Merrion Row, Dublin, benefited from Taylor Swift concerts and Irish rugby matches as profits increased more than fourfold to €902,887 last year. New accounts filed by the Barden family-owned O'Donoghues (Merrion Row) Ltd show that the business recorded the €902,887 post-tax profits in the 12 months to the end of last June after recording post-tax profits of €215,886 in the previous year. The pub enjoyed a bumper year as 150,000 Taylor Swift fans descended on the nearby Aviva stadium last June 28, 29 and 30. The pub also benefited from three Six Nations internationals in the early part of last year. This year, the business will benefit as Dua Lipa and Lana Del Rey perform at the Aviva stadium. The accounts – signed off by directors, Oliver Barden and Marie Barden on April 9 – show that at the end of last June, the company was sitting on accumulated profits of €2.5million. The profit last year takes account of non-cash depreciation costs of €242,898. At the end of last June, the company had shareholder funds of €9.94m that included the accumulated profits of €2.5m and a revaluation reserve of €7.42m. The company's cash funds plummeted from €2.16m to €840,145, and this coincided with the company re-investing once more in the business last year. The accounts show that the value of the company's tangible assets last year increased from €7.3m to €9.9m and this was mainly due to the addition of land and buildings freehold that had a book value of €2.86m. Pay to directors last year reduced from €345,000 to €316,000. The pub is owned and operated by the Barden family and numbers employed remained at 22 during the year. The abridged accounts do not provide a revenue figure for the year, but do disclose that the company made a dividend payout of €54,375. Underlining the buoyant year enjoyed by the business, the amount owed under taxation and social welfare doubled from €374,660 to €760,003. The pub has long been associated with traditional Irish music, and The Dubliners in particular, who began to play at the pub in the 1960s. Bruce Springsteen has also been a visitor. The premises was built in 1789 and began operating as a full-time pub in 1934 when Maureen and Paddy O'Donoghue began running the bar. Oliver Barden bought the pub in 1988.
