Big Red Barn custom builds and hires out American style barns for events all over Ireland, such as the National Ploughing Championships and the Balmoral Show. Based in the village of Aughamore in Co Mayo, this company has already expanded to the UK, with sights set on creating a global brand within five years that will include Australia and the USA. The company started off with one barn and a unique idea, and two years later has three barns in Ireland and one in the UK all going at full steam. Recently, they have also constructed Europe’s first two storey modular structure at the Balmoral Show.

Dónal is a man who is passionate about rural Ireland and Big Red Barn has eight full-time and three part-time employees. He could have outsourced the construction of the barns to Asia, however he was reluctant to go down that avenue.

“It didn’t sit right with me,” he says. “We get the raw materials in now and everything is done 100% in house.”

Indeed, he tries to support other Irish companies as much as he can.

“The steel originates from Butler’s Steel in Ballaghaderreen, the roof cladding comes from D&G Roofing in Williamstown and the timber is provided by Haslett’s in Clogher,” he says.

Coming from a farming background, Donal has a strong affiliation with agriculture, with the majority of Big Red Barn’s clients being agriculturally-based and appearing at agricultural shows all over the country.

Repeat custom

He explains the origins of the idea.

“I organised a few barn dances and small events like that using marquees and my heart was nearly broke with problems from the wind and rain. I held a barn dance in a slatted shed in the middle of nowhere and 1500 people attended so I knew the interest was there,” he explains.

“Having our own structure that we knew was sturdy was great because it took a lot of the hassle out of organising events and it was one less thing to worry about. There is nothing like it out there and that’s evident by the response we have received. 82% of the customers from our first year came back again, and keep coming back, which is great.”

Having worked in the construction industry during the bubble, Dónal has learned from the mistakes of many and is keeping borrowing extremely low, running the business on cash flow. Having won Mayo’s Young Entrepreneur of the Year in 2014, Dónal used the money to set up The Little White Chapel, which can be erected anywhere in the country.

Demand is rapidly growing for The Little White Chapel, as it allows you to create your own unique backdrop for your special day.

“For the first time in Ireland you can now get married to anybody and we can help you get married anywhere,” he says.

Look for help

The help Dónal received from Local Enterprise Ireland (LEO) could not be understated.

“If anybody is thinking of going into business the first thing they need to do is sit down with their LEO,” he says.

“They have been brilliant with us; they helped us with funding for machinery such as a welder and cutter to help us get going. They also provide employment grants if you take someone on and put you in touch with some great people.”

Nothing by halves

Not content with only setting up for other companies, Dónal also runs three or four of his own events each year and with over 1000 people in attendance at each event, they give rural economies a much needed lift.

Next on his list is the ‘Culchie Come Home’ festival, where he is teaming up with EmbraceFARM, a farm accident support network, to raise much-needed funds. Charity is high up on Dónal’s priorities, having previously fundraised over €120,000 for the Hospice and Crumlin hospital where they raised €15,000 through barn dances and a sponsored swim to Clare Island.

Clearly, whether it is in business or for charity, Dónal is not a man to do things by halves.

“I have always said if you are going to try something you have to give it a good go and that’s what we’re trying to do here,” he says.

For further information on Big Red Barn, visit www.bigredbarn.ie .