be so careful of the links you click. She rethere, done that, and who are years ahead For us, I think you cant beat an in-store calls thinking, Ah, this persons having me of where I am in the business - to be able to experience or community experience, on. learn from them is so helpful. youre meeting people firsthand, says KenLuckily, her sister convinced her to apply, This generosity with time is something nedy. I know for me, even online shopping, and a few months later, Kennedy was in which Kennedy says she aims to inject into sometimes I prefer just to go into the store Vietnam on holidays when she opened the her own laissez-faire leadership style. and actually try the clothes on. article to find herself featured on the presHalf the team here are working mums, so Looking to the future, Kennedy is contigious list. I let them drop the kids to school, then come strained as to how much she can reveal Rebekah, our marketing manager, sent into work or work around when they have but hammers home that theyre focused the article into our work group chat that I to do drop-offs or childminding, Kennedy on international expansion and that 2027 was on the list, Kennedy says. I hadnt got says. I think I get back so much from them is definitely going to be our biggest year any emails. I hadnt got a phone call. because I trust them, they trust me. yet. Her first reaction was disbelief: Are you Kennedy is also conscious of the challenge Behind the scenes, were working on so sure this is me? facing the bricks and mortar business secmany incredible new products, says KenneFinally, the official confirmation came. tor in Ireland, but she says she doesnt think dy, mentioning that one of them is a product And then, an hour or two later, I got an physical retail is dying. which their customers have been asking for email from Forbes, consince the start of the gratulating me on getting company launching. on the list. It was so surreShe also mentions that al. the company recorded While the highs have growth of around 51 per been high for The Smooth cent from 2024 to 2025, Company, Kennedy adalthough admits that mits they have not been shes less focused on the immune to the tidal wave numbers than she is on of rising costs that have the quantity of customaffected businesses across ers returning after their Ireland over the past few initial purchase, which months. is also up this year. Its something that While there is no were trying to manage as sense that The Smooth we grow and as obviously Company is slowing as were scaling, we have down, Kennedy is proud to take on more costs as to say that since getting we hire more people, their own office afshe says. We have to buy fectionately called the more stock as we expand Smooth Dream House internationally. On top by their team shes noof all the rising costs, its ticed a shift in her own tough. work-life balance for the Kennedy draws attenbetter. Half the team here are working mums, so I let them tion to the knock-on imWhen youre working pact of geopolitical events from home and running drop the kids to school, then come into work or work on the day-to-day costs of a business, she reflects, around when they have to do drop-off running a business and all theres no separation. of its moving parts. With the office, we can Im always straight away, come in, we can work right, how do we absorb this cost ourselves? together. For me, as a business owner, I Because if you put it onto the customer, then can schedule my day so much easier now. all of a sudden, your shipping is too high, We can have meetings face to face, get stuff then youre going to lose so much because done really quick, and then at half-five, I can customers dont want to pay that shipping. go home, go to the gym. I dont think people realise how much one The mentality of balance is something thing can have such a domino effect on the Kennedy is extending to The Smooth Combusiness as a whole, Kennedy says. pany customers as well and the companys Yet Kennedy also dwells on what she calls social club gathered on Bray beach for an the incredible entrepreneurial ecosystem early morning yoga session in August. in Ireland, and how generous people are It was so nice to get out with our customwith their advice. She reflects on her expeers, meet them face to face and feel good for rience in the EY Entrepreneur of the Year the day. It was just such a nice morning and Awards in 2025. getting out there and moving your body and Having that EY network for me has just meeting people is the best. been invaluable, says Kennedy, sharing an While Kennedy has found the time to take anecdote of how she still takes the supplemoments to breathe in the salty air on the Áine Kennedy, founder of The Smooth Company, presented with The Irish Times Business Awards future Bray seafront, she is quick to mention that, ments from one of the companies nominatleader in business award, by Anne Sheehan, general ed alongside her that year. as far as her company is concerned, she has manager, enterprise commercial, Microsoft Europe Being surrounded by people whove been no plans of slowing down yet. North. PHOTOGRAPH: JULIEN BEHAL 10 September 24, 2026 TOP 1000 COMPANIES THE IRISH TIMES RANKING IRELANDS BIGGEST COMPANIES The Smooth Company Economic Outlook AI Mergers & Aquisitions Tech Tools We turn reinvention into reality so you can unlock opportunity and grow pwc.ie INSIDE 8 The Smooth Company founder Aine Kennedy on expansion and keeping the personal touch 4 The top performers How Irelands top businesses fared during a year of economic turbulence 8 Future leader The Smooth Company founder Áine Kennedy 2027 What business 12 Budget leaders would like to se PHOTOGRAPH: GETTY IMAGES/ISTOCK THE PERFORMERS The Top Performers Barry McCall looks at the performance of Irelands top businesses during a period of near unprecedented global economic turbulence and geopolitical instability A midst an energy price surge prompted by a seemingly intractable con bers are simply mind-boggling. SpaceX completed its IPO in June at a $1.75 trillion valuation. If some of the optimists in the investment community are to be believed, this is set to be surpassed by Anthropic which could hit $2 trillion in its IPO, more than double the $965 billion valuation the com There were some significant changes at the top of the rankings for Irelands leading financial institutions this year. In what was a mixed year performance-wise where most of the top 10 institutions posted increases in assets, only four of them reported increased profits. For the first time in many y A NEW STANDARD Electric performance without compromise. 1,350 kg max payload 36 min charging time 13 m3 max loadspace 397 km EV Range www.farizon.ie *Specs listed subject to model. A Frank Keane Group Company INTERVIEW The Smooth Company founder Aine Kennedy The smooth path to success: Building a beauty brand sold in 92 countries Conor Healy speaks to The Smooth Company founder Aine Kennedy about international expansion, almost missing out on Forbes 30 under 30 for fear of being scammed, and keeping t be so careful of the links you click. She rethere, done that, and who are years ahead For us, I think you cant beat an in-store calls thinking, Ah, this persons having me of where I am in the business - to be able to experience or community experience, on. learn from them is so helpful. youre meetin The future begins in moments like these Real transformation is not built in a flourish. It is shaped through experience, judgement and commitment. One decision, one step, one moment at a time. This is where we are. Alongside our clients from the earliest idea, through to execution and impact. Shape PHOTOGRAPH: GETTY IMAGES/ISTOCK BUDGET 2027 What businesses would like to see in Budget 2027 Across all sectors of the economy, lowering the tax burden on work stands out as a key ask, as well relief on energy costs and supports for investment and entrepreneurship. Frank Dillon reports B usine MICHEAL BRIODY Managing director, Silver Hill Duck The award-winning duck producer employs 245 people in Monaghan and processes more than 4 million ducks a year, with over 70 per cent exported. Managing director Micheal Briody hopes that the much-speculated easing in personal income tax rates, thr PHOTOGRAPH: GETTY IMAGES/ISTOCK EXPORT TARIFFS Tariffs and tenacity Disruption, inconvenience and some extra costs, yet Irish exporters are holding their own in the face of increased trade tariffs. Paul Colgan reports A t times in 2025 it felt like the roof was about to fall in on certain Iris Consolidation within distribution and ownership have also changed the way in which US retailers buy their products. She cites Amazons purchase of high-end grocery chain Whole Foods which has moved regional purchasing to streamlined national purchasing. Another sector that sells itself on a unique co PHOTOGRAPH: GETTY IMAGES/ISTOCK BUSINESS LEADERS Q&A What Irish business leaders really think about AI Irish business leaders are investing in AI to streamline operations and free up time to focusing on building relationships, writes Paul Colgan F or good or ill, it is undeniable that the use into the systems and processes that help us operate more effectively and serve clients better. Well continue to invest where we see clear benefits for our customers, our colleagues and the long-term success of the business. What impact is it likely to have on staff numbers? I believe AI will change Were also seeing some of our clients use IDA Ireland supports to build technology solutions that are then deployed as part of their global technology products or services. A great example of this is Workdays recent announcement of How is Glanbias use of AI likely to grow? a €175 million investment i PHOTOGRAPH: GETTY IMAGES/ISTOCK AVIATION Time to fasten the seat belts Irelands aviation sector could be in for a bumpy ride writes Eoghan Corry V iewed through the front window of the cockpit, 2026 was looking good for Irelands airlines. The States airports had just handled a record 52.3 mill In EirGrid, táimid ag tuar todhchaí inbhuanaithe, le fuinneamh inbhuanaithe. Tá uasghradú á dhéanamh againn ar an eangach leictreachais ionas gur féidir le gach duine tairbhe a bhaint aisti. Éire á Cumhachtú and Frankfurt flat and Gatwick in decline. Stansted is growing at around 2 per cent, Madrid at 4.2 per cent which is around the industry average, and Dublin at 6 per cent. Like most things in Dublin Airport in recent years, this is not as clear cut a sign of growth as it seems. The first three month PHOTOGRAPH: GETTY IMAGES/ISTOCK CIRCULAR ECONOMY Circular logic Irish innovators are transforming waste into value, but funding and scale remain challenges for circular economy businesses, writes Sandra OConnell W ith the recovery and reuse of materials more important than ever, it appears tha ENCOURAGING INVESTMENT While circular innovations are emerging at pace, the challenges are considerable. EcoRoots, a Cork based biomaterials and industrial biotechnology start-up has developed high performance, compostable packaging from mycelium, the root network of fungi. Ingeniously, it uses myc PHOTOGRAPH: GETTY IMAGES/ISTOCK M&A Consolidation craze Succession challenges and economies of scale are driving a wave of consolidation across fragmented sectors, writes Danielle Barron W hen is one better than two? Veterinary surgeries, pharmacies, accountancy practices have all have been sw lot of these businesses are owned by practitioners with no obvious next generation ready or willing to take over; a trade or private equity sale is often the cleanest exit available. But Murray also notes that, for founders and shareholders, joining a larger platform can provide additional resources PHOTOGRAPH: GETTY IMAGES/ISTOCK ECONOMIC OUTLOOK Testing times Despite strong growth and tax receipts, mounting fiscal, inflation and infrastructure challenges will test the Governments budgetary resolve, writes Eoin Burke-Kennedy T he good news is that Irelands economy continues to outperform In a bid to rein in spending, the Government has adopted a new spending framework which pledges to keep the annual lift in expenditure inside a 6 per cent threshold last minute for two additional months with Minister for Finance Simon Harris insisting the move wouldnt affect his budgetary arithmet When your company conducts its stakeholder mapping, does it include children? Children are stakeholders for every business, in every sector. Partner with UNICEF for every child. unicef.ie/corporate THE IRISH TIMES From tech to banking to construction to financial services: This is the definitive guide to Irelands largest companies THE IRISH TIMES Guide to Irish business GET BETTER CONNECTED WITH IRELANDS TOP COMPANIES. ACCESS THE DATA WHICH INFORMS THE IRISH TIMES BUSINESS TEAM The TOP 1000 database, which is compiled and edited by The Irish Times, provides the most up-todate detailed performance, operating and contact info How we compiled the list The starting point for the Top 1000 Companies list 2026 is the latest statutory filings in the Republic and Northern Ireland. Data is based on filings received by August 20th 2026. The Last accounts filed date refers only to the latest public Irish filing and may pre-date ot FROM 222757m-2286m Rank Name Turnover m Profit m Last a/c filed Main activity Employees Management 209356 86629 85295 82890 40000 35747 33537 33328 27749 25195 72059 4536 2908 4658 27/09/2025 31/12/2024 31/12/2024 30/06/2025 31/12/2024 31/12/2024 25/04/2025 31/12/2025 31/12/2025 30/09/2024 FROM 2236m-1653m Rank Name Turnover m Profit m Last a/c filed Main activity Employees Management 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 Kingston Partner Reinsurance Europe Glanbia Ornua Tesco Hannover Life Reassurance Uniphar Bank of America Europe Grafton Valero Energy Corporation 3783 3706 3512 34 FROM 1647m-803m Rank Name Turnover m Profit m Last a/c filed Main activity Employees Management 1 -8 640 42 31/12/2024 31/12/2024 31/12/2025 31/03/2025 30/09/2024 31/12/2024 30/09/2025 31/12/2024 31/12/2025 31/12/2024 Services Services Communications Services Services Manufacturing Services FROM 784m-493m Rank Name Turnover m Profit m Last a/c filed Main activity Employees Management 181 182 183 184 185 186 187 188 189 190 SHS Group Short Brothers/Spirit AeroSystems Northern Ireland Water Dornan Engineering St Vincents Healthcare Fyffes International Carbery CPL Xilinx JTI Irel FROM 493m-352m Rank Name Turnover m Profit m Last a/c filed Main activity Employees Management 27 15 27 -1 31/12/2025 31/12/2024 31/12/2025 31/12/2024 31/12/2024 30/06/2025 31/03/2026 31/12/2024 31/12/2024 31/12/2024 Construction Services Financial Transport Services Services Financial Cons FROM 350m-260m Rank Name Turnover m Profit m Last a/c filed Main activity Employees Management 19 5 71 -21 -4 29/03/2025 31/12/2025 31/12/2024 31/12/2024 31/12/2024 31/12/2024 27/09/2024 31/12/2024 31/12/2024 31/03/2025 Retail Services Media Media Charity Energy Services Services Food Servi FROM 254m-197m Rank Name Turnover m Profit m Last a/c filed Main activity Employees Management 361 362 363 364 365 366 367 368 369 370 Core Media Schrader CluneTech e BNY Mellon Servier (Ireland) Richmond Marketing Seagate Technology Housing Finance Agency BMW Ireland The Barry Group 277 27 FROM 197m-139m Rank Name Turnover m Profit m Last a/c filed Main activity Employees Management 31/12/2024 31/12/2025 31/12/2024 31/12/2024 31/12/2024 31/12/2024 31/12/2024 31/12/2024 31/03/2025 31/12/2024 Services Charity Energy Services Services Services Services Food Services Aviation 158 FROM 139m-111m Rank Name Turnover m Profit m Last a/c filed Main activity Employees Management 10 6 3 5 30/06/2025 30/09/2025 31/12/2024 31/12/2024 31/12/2024 31/12/2024 31/12/2025 31/12/2024 31/12/2024 31/12/2024 Transport Food Food Services Technology Services Services Energy Transport En FROM 110m-87m Rank Name Turnover m Profit m Last a/c filed Main activity Employees Management 541 542 543 544 545 546 547 548 549 550 VWR International Silent-Aire Version1 OMD Ireland Monex Arachas Corporate Brokers Liffey Mills Elverys Easons Cityjet 129 129 129 128 128 128 127 127 126 12 FROM 87m-71m Rank Name Turnover m Profit m 601 602 603 604 605 606 607 608 609 610 Euro Farm Foods Breedon Surfacing Solutions Freefoam Plastics Lifestyle Sports Atlantic Aviation Group Laya Healthcare Park Developments Transdev Ergo Fitzpatrick Garage Group 105 105 105 104 104 103 103 102 102 FROM 71m-60m Rank Name Turnover m Profit m Last a/c filed Main activity Employees Management 42 6 31/12/2024 31/12/2024 31/12/2024 25/01/2025 31/12/2025 31/12/2024 31/12/2024 28/02/2025 31/12/2024 31/12/2024 Retail Services Services Retail Healthcare Transport Services Charity Food Services FROM 60m-50m Rank Name Turnover m Profit m Last a/c filed Main activity Employees Management 13 42 4 7 30/09/2025 30/12/2024 31/12/2021 31/12/2024 31/12/2024 31/07/2025 30/09/2025 29/06/2025 30/06/2025 31/12/2024 Services Services Services Financial Financial Technology Services Retail Phar FROM 50m-36m Rank Name Turnover m Profit m Last a/c filed Main activity Employees Management 781 782 783 784 785 786 787 788 789 790 Glen Fuel Bearingpoint C&F Tooling CEL Critical Power Aughinish Alumina Hammond Lane Celtic Anglian Water Penn Engineering Blarney Woollen Mills Group Pat ODon FROM 36m-25m Rank Name Turnover m Profit m Last a/c filed Main activity Employees Management 31/10/2024 31/12/2024 31/12/2024 31/12/2024 30/04/2025 30/06/2025 02/08/2025 30/03/2025 31/12/2024 31/12/2024 Services Services Hospitality Construction Services Education Food Services Manufacturing FROM 25m-13m Rank Name Turnover m Profit m Last a/c filed Main activity Employees Management 901 902 903 904 905 906 907 908 909 910 3M Ireland Suretank Cavanaghs of Charleville Codex Amcor Dromoland Castle Merrion Fleet Management North West Bookmakers ATA Tools Global Cloud Xchange 35 35 THE TOP FINANCIALS Rank Name Assets m Change Profit m Change Last a/c filed Main activity Irish Employees Management 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Citibank Bank of Ireland Central Bank AIB Barclays Bank Ireland Bank of America Europe Irish Life Aercap Zurich Life Assurance Standard Life Internation THE WORLDS #1 PROFESSIONAL SERVICES PROVIDER WHERE E PRO PROGRESS LEADS Theres no map for what comes next. AI is redefining industries. Trade routes and rules are shifting. Expectations are evolving. As the worlds number one professional services firm, we bring a unique perspective on the forces INDEX RankCompany 682 901 417 719 666 390 83 718 759 850 48 926 674 203 883 475 879 738 261 27 635 77 413 32 488 207 672 54 620 44 430 616 84 251 39 172 53 180 509 287 127 748 678 24 905 720 279 196 47 713 141 28 409 650 956 728 935 563 679 1 58 546 307 816 826 393 352 29 403 614 921 191 820 167 347 The Ultimate Show Night IN THE HEART OF 3ARENA Discover Annual Membership Experience the pinnacle of live entertainment with annual membership to the 1878. Entertain your guests in an exclusive, elevated atmosphere with access to the most sought-after performances. membership@3arena.ie the1878.ie INDEX RankCompany 925 710 225 322 126 360 868 654 204 193 229 30 158 202 676 854 684 468 895 858 894 267 312 21 59 238 800 763 240 764 214 855 878 131 459 10 128 715 190 707 655 644 938 247 822 313 282 129 80 382 349 922 104 35 303 893 912 647 886 26 61 150 696 166 325 215 752 625 276 629 532 448 92 POWER MOVES Clockwise from main: Marian Finnegan, chief executive of Sherry Fitzgerald; Garry Moroney, chief executive of The Irish Times Group; Eoin Tonge, chief executive of Primark; and Fergal Leamy, chief executive of An Post. Movers and shakers Stephen Conneely profiles the 10 most noteworth KENNY JACOBS In February of this year, the High Court heard Kenny Jacobs would voluntarily step down as chief executive of the DAA, which operates Dublin and Cork airports, after an out-of-court settlement closed the lawsuit brought against the semi-State body. Suspended from his position just befo PHOTOGRAPH: GETTY IMAGES/ISTOCK SUSTAINABILITY An ounce of prevention With health sector sustainability prime for disruption, solutions offer both an environmental and enterprise opportunity today and may help reduce the climaterelated health issues of tomorrow. Kevin OSullivan reports H aPPE routed to incineration. The report says: This is no longer a peripheral issue for health systems, but a clinical, financial and strategic one. Regulatory agencies in the US and Europe have concluded that properly remanufactured medical devices present no increased clinical risk compared to original PHOTOGRAPH: GETTY IMAGES/ISTOCK MARKETS Bubble trouble? The AI boom looks bubbly. But should investors really panic? Proinsias OMahony reports I t is not hard to see why some investors are getting nervous about the stock market. Elon Musks money-losing SpaceX recently went public in the bigges EXTRAORDINARY EARNINGS There is another complication: some of the earnings growth is coming from gains on companies holdings in AI businesses such as SpaceX and Anthropic. Acadian Asset Managements Owen Lamont calculates that unrealised gains on holdings by Alphabet, Amazon, and Nvidia added $69bn ILLUSTRATION: GETTY IMAGES/ISTOCK TECH TOOLS Tools of the trade Ciara OBrien takes a look at some of the latest AI-powered productivity and creative tools I f the first thing you think of when you hear AI is ChatGPT, you are not alone. But the technology has evolved beyond a simple question an write documents and create images using the tool. Google has also created Gemini Notebook, originally named Notebook LM, a research tool that will help you get to grips with various topics through the sources you provide. That could be a white paper on new regulations, a YouTube video outlining new Your Setting Awaits for Client Entertainment Circle Club guarantees our annual members best-in-house seats and a luxurious pre and post performance dining experience, nestled in the heart of Bord Gáis Energy Theatre. The Terrace is our stylish private events space with sweeping views of Dublins gl No. 04 goo.gle/forward-ie European Perspectives on Tech & Society Empowering Families in the Digital World SAFETY Protecting young people by design EDUCATION Equipping students to thrive online GUIDANCE Helping families navigate with confidence EDITORIAL FAMILY SAFETY 04 Protecting, Respecting, Empowering Vanessa Hartley Head of Google Ireland Empowering Young People in a Connected World Digital technology is integral to how they learn, play, and connect. Ensuring online safety is more critical than ever, with technology providers tak RESEARCH FAMILY SAFETY TEENS IN THE DIGITAL ERA From mastering homework with the help of AI to exploring new ideas on YouTube, European teens are navigating the digital world in innovative ways. Research from Livity and Oxford Economics reveals how young people are actively embracing powerful too RESEARCH FAMILY SAFETY EMPOWERING YOUNG PEOPLE IN A CONNECTED WORLD Digital technology is integral to how young people learn, play, and connect. Ensuring their online safety is more critical than ever, with technology providers taking active responsibility. Anyone who has children or spends time DIGITAL WELLBEING NGOS The foundation of any healthy home is dialogue Teaching Children to Thrive Online Garth Graham M.D., public health expert and YouTubes Head of Health, shares his approach to children's digital wellbeing. What does that look like in practice? It means protecting kids in th VOICES FAMILY SAFETY For the Next Generation How can we maximise the potential of the digital world and AI while building a digital environment that protects the young people? Here, we hear from influential European voices. The protection of minors cannot be left solely to bans or access limitat CONTROL FAMILY SAFETY PA R E N TA L CO N T R O L Its Your Choice Google has built a number of tools and features that empower families to safely play, learn, and grow online. Core parental controls are available directly on-device within Android Settings, while the Family Link app provides more g CONTROL FAMILY SAFETY YOUTUBE The Worlds Video Library Today, children and teenagers can access a world of possibilities on YouTube. Whether its learning how to tie a tie or getting help with their algebra homework, YouTube is a place for them to learn, explore their passions, express themselves, INTERVIEW FAMILY SAFETY You have been conducting research on children and media for years. Are we in general too negative about kids access to the Internet? Absolutely! Were in a very protective space, which is difficult. Especially as kids get older. Theyre craving risk-taking, crude humour, the GUIDE FAMILY SAFETY A FAMILY GUIDE TO AI AI is a type of technology that can spark creativity and enhance learning. As AI becomes even more common, parents and guardians play an important role in helping kids and youth understand the basics of AI, and how to use it safely and responsibly. Here is European Perspectives on Tech & Society