Donegal Pens was set up in 2010 by Ronan and Conor Mc Garvey, then aged just 13 and 10.
Over the years the business has grown and they now have their pens stocked in 50 outlets in Ireland, Germany and the USA. They also have customers in many corners of the world through their online shop.
The lads have appeared on ‘Nationwide’, ‘The Morning Show’, and even had great success on RTE’s ‘Junior Dragons’ Den’.
Conor, now 16, is still at school and Ronan, 19, works full time in the business. They plan to expand the number of retail outlets stocking the pens and are currently looking at adding some new products to the range.
This is their Donegal…
(1) What is your favourite place in Donegal and why?
Has to be our hometown of Loughanure, great place, great people.
(2) If you could change one thing about Donegal what would it be?
The roads, some of them leave a lot to be desired!
(3) Who is the one person in Donegal that you look up to and why?
Two people – our parents, they have guided us well and are always been supportive no matter what we do.
(4) Daniel O’Donnell or Packie Bonner?
Has to be Daniel, he has brought the world to Ireland and to Donegal through his music.
(5) What has been Donegal’s proudest moment in recent years?
The All Ireland in 2012, we weren’t around for 1992 one!
(6) What was Donegal’s saddest moment?
The many road tragedies and that awful pier tragedy in Buncrana
(7) What is your favourite Donegal-made product?
Donegal Pens of course! But also Mc Garvey’s (no relation) Chicken Curry.
(8) Who is Donegal’s greatest ambassador around the world and why?
Again, has to be Daniel O’Donnell, he has promoted Donegal to no end and continues to do so everywhere he goes – he even has a Donegal Pen!
A Yew Streamline pen produced by Donegal Pens.
(9) Who is Donegal’s most successful businessperson in your opinion?
Can we say ourselves?! We really admire Ramona Nicholas, former Dragon and boss at the Cara Pharmacy chain – a great businesswoman.
(10) Who is your favourite Donegal sportsperson of all time?
We’re not overly sports people but Michael Murphy would be among our favourites.
(11) What is your favourite Donegal restaurant?
Has to be Casadh an tSugain in Loughanure, they deliver a mighty tasty feed!
(12) Donegal’s golden eagles or basking sharks?
Golden Eagles, fine birds!
(13) What is your favourite Donegal saying or expression?
There will be days like this!
(14) What is the biggest challenge facing the people of Donegal today?
Probably the lack of employment in places.
(15) What is your favourite Donegal food?
Mc Garvey’s Chicken Curry and our granny’s stuffing.
(16) Is there anything that really annoys you about Donegal or its people?
Lack of entertainment facilities particularly in the west of the county. We have to travel nearly an hour to the cinema in Letterkenny.
(17) Do you have a favourite local band?
Nope.
(18) If you had a million euro to improve something in Donegal what would it be?
The roads first of all, not that a million euro would go far, and also ensure young entrepreneurs get the support they deserve at start up, we didn’t but we still kept going.
(19) What has been the most rewarding, and the most challenging part of starting your own business at such young ages?
Challenging where there was no funding available because we were under 18, most rewarding is that our business has grown to be the success it is today.
(20) Is there anything about Donegal that you are very proud of?
Proud to be a Donegal person and grateful to have a grasp of the Irish language.
To keep up to date with the lads you can follow them on Facebook.
Currently they produce several types of pens including the Streamline and Sierra ranges in both basic pen and Stylus options and the popular Bolt Action pen. They also produce a set comprising a Pen and Letter Opener, and have just recently added a Wedding Set to the collection comprising two engraved pens in a wooden box.
They now accept phone orders on (086) 8673380 or (00353 86 8673380 from outside Ireland)