Rural Ireland not banking on funds to come from the pillar institutions

Despite the Government’s claims, it seems small businesses are still struggling to secure funding from banks, writes Michael Clifford.

Kevin McSherry was driving into Limerick when he saw the future. What he actually saw was a shuttered premises — idle since the days when the Celtic Tiger stalked the land. But his entrepreneurial eye saw an opportunity to expand the business he had run in Nenagh for more than 20 years.

The premises on the outskirts of the city would be ideal for his outdoor clothing and equipment retail business. With the economy back on its feet, the time had come for small rural businesses like his to expand and consolidate.