“Remarkable” Sean Mulryan is honoured at prestigious Irish awards ceremony

Sean Mulryan, founder, Chairman and Chief Executive of Ballymore has been presented with a prestigious award, honouring his outstanding contribution to business in Ireland.

The Kildare Business Awards were a night of celebration, welcoming guests and dignitaries from across the county to the Kilashee Hotel for a formal black-tie event and dinner.

The pinnacle of the night was the much-anticipated awards ceremony, with Sean’s accolade presented at the end of the evening. Taking to the stage, the awards presenter talked of the impact of Ballymore’s work – not just in Kildare, but across Ireland and England, saying that Ballymore "is one of the most significant and indeed successful property development companies in Ireland and the UK”, adding: “The vision and ambition Sean has displayed time and time again is nothing short of remarkable. 

“His foresight for acquiring sites in London along the Thames was enough to attract the US Embassy to move to its new London location next to Battersea at Embassy Gardens.  Further up the river, he created the new home for the English National Ballet now named the Mulryan Centre for Dance at London City Island, not far from where his first London project took shape at Canary Wharf in 1994. 

“Back here in Ireland, he created the wonderful mixed-use quarter at Dublin Landings in the Docklands along the Liffey. And it would be remiss not to mention other significant projects in Dublin including The White Water shopping centre, Royal Canal Park, Sea Gardens and last but certainly not least, the Guinness Quarter redevelopment in the historic Liberties.

“Throughout this time, and no matter where his development projects take him, he has never lost his strong links with Kildare. In this county alone, he has overseen the construction of 4,000 homes with another 3,000 in the pipeline.  He and his wife Bernadine have raised their family of five children here, and I am delighted to add some of whom are here in attendance this evening.  

“Sean is a champion of culture, education and sport, particularly the GAA and his passion for horseracing is well known with many winners secured at Kildare racecourses alone.   He is known for his enormous generosity, and it is entirely fitting that this year’s award for Outstanding Contribution to Business Award goes to Sean.” 

The ceremony marked a homecoming for Ballymore; the company was founded by Sean in the Kildare town of Ballymore Eustace in 1982. In the four decades since, the company has gone on to create more than 20,000 homes in the UK, 15,000 homes in Ireland and has developed more than five million square feet of office and retail space. 

Reflecting on his achievements Sean said: “I am delighted to accept this prestigious award. Kildare has been very good to me, to our family, and to the business – and for that alone I give my deep and heartfelt appreciation. 

“This award though is about much more than me and represents the many people who have helped us through the years – each of them contributing to making Ballymore the business it is today. That starts with Bernadine and our children and extends to business partners, contemporaries and indeed our customers.

“It has been a truly enjoyable evening and one which celebrated all that is great about Kildare; here’s to the continued future success of the county and all of us who live here.”

Find out more about the Kildare Business Awards here.