Ahead of the Clare Business Excellence Awards 2025, The Clare Echo’s Dearbhla Parry speaks to Ann Marie O’Connor from O’Connor’s Bakery.
Where are you from?
Ennis.
Tell me about your business?
It was started by my parents back in 1961 in Ennis. We started in Parnell Street and for the first eight years, I was living over the shop in Ennis and the bakery was behind the shop.
If you could have chosen any other career, what would it be?
I could never envisage anything else, to be honest.
What has been the biggest challenge in running your business?
Dealing with things like COVID, all the price increases, and what’s happening even worldwide.
How do you stay motivated when business gets tough?
Being a family business and having the staff that we have really keeps you going.
What’s the first thing you do after a long day of work?
I like to exercise, even just a walk, and to get out and get some fresh air.
If you won the lotto, what’s the first thing you would do?
I don’t have an answer for that one.
What’s your favourite song?
‘Days Like This’ by Van Morrison.
What’s your favourite movie?
‘The Shawshank Redemption’ comes to mind.
What’s your go-to book recommendation?
I tend to like thrillers.
Would you rather time-travel to the past or future, and why?
I’m not very much into the past, I’d time-travel to the future. What’s gone is gone.
If you could instantly master any skill, what would it be?
If I could master my way around computers and the whole IT world.
Who is your biggest inspiration in life?
I’d have to say my mother. Her work ethic and principles that she’s passed on will stay with me.
What’s something you used to stress about in your business that you now laugh at?
The older you get, you tend to let things go more. Everything can’t be perfect all the time.
If you could give your 20-year-old self advice, what would it be?
To travel more and work in different countries.
What has been your proudest moment as a business owner so far?
The 60th celebrations that we had was a real milestone for us.
Where do you see yourself and your business in 10 years?
Hopefully, we’ll still be here and baking and doing all nice cakes and treats for all our customers that have been loyal to us for the last 64 years.
The Clare Business Excellence Awards take place on November 27th at The Inn at Dromoland.
