Talent agency representing Marty Morrissey, Oliver Callan and Jennifer Zamparelli sees profits rise to €140,000

Darragh Mc Donagh

Carol & Associates, a talent agency representing some of the country’s best-known entertainers, has reported accumulated profits of almost €140,000 in accounts just filed to the Companies Office.

The firm, which is owned by Gráinne MacAnthony, has the likes of Marty Whelan, Claire Byrne, Oliver Callan, and Jennifer Zamparelli on its books, along with Marty Morrissey, Mario Rosenstock, and Liveline host Kieran Cuddihy.

Newly filed accounts show that the company had a cash pile of €206,797 at the end of last June, and boosted its accumulated profits by 70 per cent to €137,667 during the preceding 12 months.

Carol & Associates was founded in 1989 by Carol Hanna. Former Boyzone manager Louis Walsh was a director of the firm between 1997 and 2016. MacAnthony is now the sole owner and is listed as a director of the company alongside accountant Shane Brosnan.

The company sources and manages talent for corporate events, conferences and private functions, providing keynote and after-dinner speakers, event hosts, and MCs, as well as representing some of the country’s best-known figures.

Its roster includes Newstalk presenter Anton Savage; economist David McWilliams; Niall ‘Bressie’ Breslin; Ruby Walsh; Ronan O’Gara; as well as comedians Jason Byrne and Barry Murphy.

The company had tangible assets worth €35,378 at the end of June 2025, and was owed a total of €28,644 by its debtors. Some €133,025 was due to creditors of the firm, and its accumulated profits increased from €80,846 to €137,667.

It employed two people in sales and administration in addition to one director during the financial year. They were paid wages and salaries of €76,208 in addition to pension contributions of €46,400.

The speakers on the books of Carol & Associates include former minister and radio presenter Ivan Yates, GAA pundit Joe Brolly, and former Ireland rugby captain Brian O’Driscoll. It also offers clients the unusual option of booking an AI keynote speaker.

Louis Walsh remains on the books of the firm, along with former Eurovision winner Linda Martin, sports commentator George Hamilton, TV presenter Dáithí Ó Sé, and businessman Bobby Kerr.