The “Raw DNA of Success” was under the microscope as ZOMA, in partnership with the Dundalk Chamber of Commerce, hosted A Masterclass in Leadership at the iconic Spirit Store. The sold-out event brought together a diverse cross-section of the region’s business community to hear from local business leaders and global visionaries on the realities of leadership in 2026.
The evening was officially opened by John McGahon, CEO of the Dundalk Chamber, who highlighted the resilience and growth currently defining the North East business landscape. He spoke passionately about the vital importance of collaborative events like these in strengthening the local economy, before handing over to Mark Dearey, owner of The Spirit Store, who welcomed the crowd to the venue. David Kieran, CEO of ZOMA, hosted the evening, guiding the audience through a series of high-impact panels that bridged the gap between elite sport, global industry, and disruptive technology.
Reflecting on the event, John McGahon said: “The resilience we are seeing across the North East right now is remarkable. For the Chamber, creating a space where our members can learn from those who have scaled to the highest levels of sport, tech, and industry is vital for our continued upward trajectory.”
The first fireside chat featured Louth Football Captain and entrepreneur Sam Mulroy. Mulroy provided a candid look at the high-performance habits required to lead on the inter-county pitch while simultaneously building a business, emphasising that the discipline of an elite athlete is the ultimate foundation for professional growth.
After a break to refuel with brilliant food from A91 Street Food, the spotlight turned to the evening’s second panel. Joe McGuinness (CEO of Dundalk FC), Shóna McManus (CEO of Osborne Recruitment), and Brendan McGrath (VP of Manufacturing at WuXi Biologics) took to the stage to decode the complexities of leadership through transition. It was a fascinating study in contrast, as the trio discussed balancing the emotional weight of a community-centered legacy with the uncompromising operational standards needed to lead global pharmaceutical and recruitment giants.
The night culminated in a fireside chat with Bobby Healy, the visionary founder behind Manna Drone Delivery. As the leader of a company revolutionising autonomous drones to deliver everything from groceries to medical supplies directly to people’s homes in minutes, Healy offered a unique perspective on the future of technology. Healy’s insights into the grit required to disrupt global industries left the audience with a powerful message on the courage needed to scale from a local base to an international stage. In a significant reveal for the local area, Healy confirmed that Manna’s cutting-edge drone delivery service is set to officially launch in Dundalk ‘within weeks.’
Reflecting on the success of the evening, David Kieran, CEO of ZOMA, noted that the event’s turnout and caliber were no coincidence. “We’ve always believed that access to Ireland’s top minds and most visionary leaders shouldn’t be reserved for the big cities. Bringing this caliber of global leadership to the Spirit Store was about proving a point, that the Dundalk business community has the gravity to attract the country’s most ambitious voices. Seeing the room filled with ZOMA clients, partners, and the brands we work with every day shows it wasn’t just another networking event, it was a statement of collective ambition we are driving across the region in 2026.”
The event concluded with an evening of networking as attendees discussed the takeaways from a night that solidified Louth’s position as a powerhouse of Irish innovation.
