Entrepreneur glad she took time out after son born before tragedy occurred

FORMER Businesswoman of the Year Catherine Tiernan was glad she took time out last year after her son was born. She was only back at work a week when three-month-old Shane suddenly succumbed to meningitis within a matter of hours.

The Galway-based entrepreneur, who is expecting her third child in October, won the title of Businesswoman of the Year in 1996, when she was managing director of Éire Communications, a company she and her partner, Jimmy Norman, established.

The Galway-based mobile telephone company employed more than 100 people and had established 21 shops throughout the country. It was bought out two years ago by Digifone, now O2 Ireland.

Catherine continued to run the business on a contractual basis before becoming O2’s project manager, a position she currently holds. Catherine wonders if it was a case of divine intervention when Shane was born.

“I actually did switch off when Shane was born and I actually took my full maternity leave. It was like I was given the time to be with him before he died.” It was a different matter when her daughter Katie,5, was born.

“I was just so involved with the business at the time. She was only three weeks’ old when I went back to work.” Catherine, who started out in business selling clocks when she was 12, has rearranged her priorities since her son’s death.

“I think sometimes that you have to stand back and give yourself time and be able to switch off. That was something I just found very difficult to do.”

A former workmate nominated Catherine for the award, run by the National Federation of Business and Professional Women's Clubs of Ireland (BPW). Catherine said the award gave her great confidence.

“I am from a country background; the youngest of a family of seven.

"None of us were born with a golden spoon in our mouths. We all had to work for what we got. So when I got the award I thought I must be really doing something right.”

Yesterday, O2 Ireland chief executive Danuta Gray launched the 2002 awards for entrepreneurial women. She said Ireland had one of the highest levels of women entrepreneurs in Europe, but men still dominated the sector.

A recent survey of Ireland’s top executives found that they were all men. 2002 Businesswoman of the Year will be announced at an awards ceremony in November. The closing date for entries is September 30. Application forms and criteria for entry can by obtained by contacting Ann Ryan at the BPW on 091-526498.