Hard work sees Breffni Mushrooms take top prize

A standing ovation greeted the announcement that Breffni Mushrooms were the Best Overall Business Award for 2015 at The Anglo-Celt’s Cavan Business and Tourism Awards.
Having earlier in the night scooped the award for Best in Marketing, the Kilnaleck company fended off strong competition from a host of fellow nominee finalists to walk with the top prize also.
Approximately 280 people from the cream of Cavan’s entrepreneurial community had gathered for the gala event, at the Slieve Russell Hotel last Friday night.
“It means everything to us,” an elated Breffni Mushrooms owner Eugene Kiernan told compère Vincent Wall upon collecting the award on-stage.
Mr Kiernan was eager to pay tribute to the hard work and dedication of his large work force too, saying: “We started from humble beginnings, and it’s great to make it in your own county. We have about 330 people working for us, and in the present climate that’s a significant amount of employment. We have wonderful staff working for us.”
A staple of the Cavan business world since the company first started in 1981, Breffni Mushrooms currently produces 500,000 pounds of mushrooms every week from their 50 growing rooms, making them Ireland’s second largest mushroom supplier.
A family run business, the Kiernans have locations in Ballyjamesduff, Lanesborough, Co Roscommon and Sterling, in Scotland. Shoppers can find their produce for sale in outlets including Iceland, Lidl, Aldi, Dunnes Stores and Tesco.
Exporting 90% of its produce to the UK, Mr Kiernan admitted that while there remained challenges in the industry, “opportunities do exist” and the company is eager to capitalise going forward.
When pushed for details on his business philosophy, Mr Kiernan told those in attendance at Friday’s gala event: “It all comes down to hard work. There are tough days and there are good days. You just have to survive the tough days and the good days will come.”
Exporting 90% of its produce to the UK, Mr Kiernan admitted that while there remained challenges in the industry, “opportunities do exist” and the company is eager to capitalise going forward.
When pushed for details on his business philosophy, Mr Kiernan told those in attendance at Friday’s gala event: “It all comes down to hard work. There are tough days and there are good days. You just have to survive the tough days and the good days will come.”