Seamus Heaney trained and practiced for almost 20 years as a Hotel Manager. In 2000 he set up, along with his business partner a catering company to manage the catering operations in all the new greyhound stadia in Cork, Galway, Tralee, Limerick and Waterford for IGB. At the peak in 2004 they employed in excess of 250 people and in 2014, the Irish Greyhound board decided to cancel the tender process, and massage the catering themselves.
He was instrumental in the setup of Cork Convention Bureau back in 2007, which has to date generated in excess of €100 worth of business for the region. In 2016 he was appointed as Head of Visit Cork, the umbrella organisation for the promotion of tourism in Cork.
A day in the life of Seamus Heaney
Q 1- How does your normal day begin?
When I am not travelling, I get up at 6.30 am and take the dog for a walk. This gives me time to think about the day ahead. I shower, have an on-the-go breakfast, drop the children to school in Bandon and head to the office in Cork city, situated in the beautiful and historical Elizabeth Fort.
Seamus Heaney, Head of Visit Cork.
Pic: Brian Lougheed
Q 2- What are your biggest daily challenges?
Getting through everything I had planned for the day. With the telephone, emails and meetings sometimes things can get away from you and the day become a long one. I am not the best at managing my time.
Q3- What do you love most about your job?
I love the results from the seeds we set in terms of planning and setting goals. I love the challenge of bidding for and winning major conferences/events for Cork and most of all I love when people work together with a common goal.
I am so lucky to have a supportive board and wonderful work colleagues such as Evelyn O’Sullivan (who manages the Cork Convention Bureau), Anne Cahill and Jeremy Murray. We are a small team.
Q 4- What do you do to relax?
Switch off the phone, head for the beach and walk the dog. I also love the garden and find it so therapeutic when I want to get away from it all.
Q 5-Favourite staycation destination in Ireland and why?
Not a big fan of the word staycation to be honest, it’s people holidaying at home. That said I do love West Cork and in particular Heir Island. One of the 7 beautiful Islands off West Cork, I love its tranquillity and breathtaking views. I also learned some great culinary skills there from the great John Desmond and breadmaking with Patrick Ryan.
Q 6-Favourite holiday destination worldwide?
A place called Deerfield beach in Florida. We have had some brilliant family holidays there especially when the children were smaller. It’s a less well-known beach town in southern Florida but a place with lots of memorable holidays for us.
Q 7-Favourite Business motto?
In the words of Henry Ford – If you always do what you have always done, you will always get what you’ve always got
Photo Joleen Cronin
Q 8. Advice for young business entrepreneurs 20 words
Be yourself, follow your instincts and don’t be afraid take risks especially while you’re young. I am afraid now of risk mainly because of my age and family commitments. Deep down I would still love to be a risk-taker. Many of life’s greatest achievements require going outside of your comfort zone. Some of us, myself included have a difficult time dealing with the uncertainty that goes along with taking risks. A feeling of unease grows out of not knowing the outcome and the fear of potential failure. What if I embarrass myself in front of everyone? What if I lose all the money that I invested? What if I’m not good enough?
Through taking risks, we must confront our own fears, and sometimes that leads to failure… But what if that wasn’t such a bad thing after all? The key to success is often learning to fail.
“The master has failed more times than the beginner has even tried.” — Stephen McCranie
