Guaranteed Irish expands in Cork
Leanne Purcell, general manager of Uber Eats Ireland, Alan Russell, head of IT & AI at Musgrave Group, Mary Sadlier, CEO of Coole Swan, Brid O’ Connell, CEO, Guaranteed Irish, Julie Dorel, head of communications retail, Musgraves, Dara Higgins, Irish and international tax lawyer, Matheson, and Aisling McGann, COO with SiSú, at the Guaranteed Irish Food & Drink Forum in the Dean Hotel, Cork. Photo: Darragh Kane
County Cork is fast becoming a powerhouse for Guaranteed Irish — the national symbol of trust for businesses that are proud to support jobs, communities, and sustainable supply chains across Ireland.
As part of its growing footprint in Munster, Guaranteed Irish has made Cork a strategic priority, investing in local representation, new initiatives, and a stronger network to help Cork-based businesses thrive both regionally and nationally.
To reinforce its commitment to Cork, Guaranteed Irish has appointed Martina Skowronska as the new business development executive. Based in Cork, and working with CEO Brid O’Connell, Martina brings over a decade of experience in sales and client relations. Martina’s focus will be to engage directly with businesses across Munster, to highlight the tangible benefits of membership, and to help companies leverage the Guaranteed Irish network to expand their reach and strengthen local partnerships.
As part of this expansion, Guaranteed Irish has also named Dan Twomey, director of Cork Builder Providers, as a Guaranteed Irish Munster Champion. Dan’s leadership within the construction sector and his commitment to sourcing locally align perfectly with the values behind the Guaranteed Irish House initiative — which promotes collaboration among Irish manufacturers, suppliers, and trades to build a stronger, more sustainable housing ecosystem.
“Local businesses like Cork Builder Providers are the backbone of our communities,” Brid O’Connell said. “They don’t just create jobs — they keep money circulating in the local economy and support other Irish businesses through strong supply chains.”
Recent research conducted by KPMG states that for every 100 jobs created in a Guaranteed Irish business, a further 49 are supported across Ireland through local supply chains.
From small businesses to larger manufacturers, and leading national names including Musgrave, KPMG, FBD Insurance, PTSB, Cash & Carry Kitchens and Cork Builder Providers, these businesses create employment and support local communities in the towns across the county. Further insights for 2025 show that 93% of members agree that the G symbol shows support for local businesses and communities.
Membership of Guaranteed Irish creates opportunities for doing business within a trusted network, supporting members as they grow and expand. From local events, and networking, to the Guaranteed Irish House Initiative, members in Cork benefit from stronger connections to an eco-system to do business with other local Irish businesses and to further grow your Irish supply chain.
By choosing Guaranteed Irish businesses, consumers in Cork and beyond are directly supporting local jobs and driving sustainable economic growth in their communities.
Hear from some of our members and be part of the Guaranteed Irish eco-system.
Conor Manning, managing director of Pipelife and member of Guaranteed Irish, recently spoke about the local investment Pipelife has been making, and why the company wanted to be digital sponsor of Energy & Facilities month in Guaranteed Irish.
Pipelife says: “This significant investment in new equipment, personnel, and services is without parallel in our sector in Ireland and will position our Irish operations as a world-class manufacturing facility for many years to come. This visible investment shows Pipelife’s long-term commitment to the Irish market, making us an attractive supply chain partner for major merchant groups, builders, and installers nationwide.”
Maxine Hyde, general manager, Ballymaloe Foods, says: "Being a member of Guaranteed Irish of has been a major support to us in Ballymaloe Foods. From connecting us with like-minded business to giving us a platform to strengthen our profile within Cork and beyond. Guaranteed Irish highlights the importance of supporting local business. One of our products which symbolises our membership of Guaranteed Irish is our Irish beetroot, which is grown for us by a local farmer in Cork. In supporting Irish Farmers and Irish jobs in our production unit, where we make and pack all of our products in Little Island, Cork.’’
Clara Mulligan, CEO of Homebot, says: "As a proudly Irish company rooted in Dunmanway, in the heart of West Cork, being recognised as Guaranteed Irish reinforces everything we stand for: local trust, community values and innovation that helps real people and real solutions. We feel very humble to be part of such a select group of Irish brands. HomeBot Ireland is a company built from the community, with the community, with integrity. The Guaranteed Irish badge has helped give our customers confidence that they are supporting a real Irish brand built for Irish homes. It is a badge we wear with pride.”
Olan Hodnett, marketing manager, STP Packaging, says: "Being a Guaranteed Irish member reinforces our long-standing commitment to Irish industry and local employment. For over 40 years, STP Packaging has supplied Irish manufacturers, food producers, and logistics companies with innovative, sustainable packaging solutions made and supported here in Ireland, something the Guaranteed Irish mark proudly reflects.”
Niamh Garvey, marketing manager at Clonakilty Food Company, says: "At Clonakilty, we proudly display the Guaranteed Irish symbol on all of our product packaging. The GI symbol gives our customers confidence in our Irish heritage, our commitment to quality, local sourcing, and our community. We were delighted to take home the Food Producer Award at the 2025 Guaranteed Irish Awards, a fantastic recognition of the hard work and dedication of the entire team here at Clonakilty and a celebration of an Irish family-run business."
So look out for the G, Guaranteed Irish: supporting business that supports Ireland. For more information visit:
