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EE: 19 The Entrepreneur Solving Ireland’s Biggest Social Problems
Introduced to us by the legend Paul McCarthy, who described him as a ‘National Treasure’, Denis O’Reilly more than lived up to the title.
Denis is the founder of Wild Wicklow Tours, ranked second globally on TripAdvisor and number one in Ireland before selling it to Tony Doyle Coaches in 2023. But what truly sets him apart is how he has channelled that success into meaningful, lasting social impact.
Through Difference Days, Denis partners leading organisations such as Smurfit Kappa, Aer Lingus, SMBC Aviation Capital and many more with DEIS and Special Needs schools to deliver transformational improvements from revitalised classrooms to restored gardens. Every DEIS school in Ballymun has benefited, and in partnership with Dublin City Council, he mobilised 300 volunteers to create a brand new community park in Dolphins Barn.
During Covid, after learning that many children were going hungry, Denis launched Good Grubs, delivering up to 5,000 fresh food packs per week. To date, more than 750,000 packs have been distributed nationwide. He also founded Outdoor Spaces where he currently works, creating safe outdoor learning environments that continue to support schools across the country.
This is a powerful conversation about purpose-driven entrepreneurship and the real impact business can have on communities.
Show notes
- Denis built Wild Wicklow Tours into a globally recognised tourism brand.
- Entrepreneurship can be a powerful vehicle for social change.- Difference Days connects corporate teams with schools that need support most.
- All DEIS schools in Ballymun have benefited from the initiative.
- Large-scale community projects are possible through strong partnerships.
- Good Grubs was created in response to child food poverty during Covid.
- Over 750,000 fresh food packs have been delivered to schools nationwide.
- Outdoor Spaces continues to provide long-term educational impact.
- Business, when guided by purpose, can create lasting societal change.
Links & resources:
https://wildwicklow.ie/
https://differencedays.ie/
https://outdoorspaces.ie/
https://www.goodgrub.ie/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/denisoreilly/
Our Sponsors:
Tap Design Consultancy: https://wearetap.ie/
linkedin.com/company/tapdesignconsultancy
View all episodes
By TheHiddenHustlePodcastIntroduced to us by the legend Paul McCarthy, who described him as a ‘National Treasure’, Denis O’Reilly more than lived up to the title.
Denis is the founder of Wild Wicklow Tours, ranked second globally on TripAdvisor and number one in Ireland before selling it to Tony Doyle Coaches in 2023. But what truly sets him apart is how he has channelled that success into meaningful, lasting social impact.
Through Difference Days, Denis partners leading organisations such as Smurfit Kappa, Aer Lingus, SMBC Aviation Capital and many more with DEIS and Special Needs schools to deliver transformational improvements from revitalised classrooms to restored gardens. Every DEIS school in Ballymun has benefited, and in partnership with Dublin City Council, he mobilised 300 volunteers to create a brand new community park in Dolphins Barn.
During Covid, after learning that many children were going hungry, Denis launched Good Grubs, delivering up to 5,000 fresh food packs per week. To date, more than 750,000 packs have been distributed nationwide. He also founded Outdoor Spaces where he currently works, creating safe outdoor learning environments that continue to support schools across the country.
This is a powerful conversation about purpose-driven entrepreneurship and the real impact business can have on communities.
Show notes
- Denis built Wild Wicklow Tours into a globally recognised tourism brand.
- Entrepreneurship can be a powerful vehicle for social change.- Difference Days connects corporate teams with schools that need support most.
- All DEIS schools in Ballymun have benefited from the initiative.
- Large-scale community projects are possible through strong partnerships.
- Good Grubs was created in response to child food poverty during Covid.
- Over 750,000 fresh food packs have been delivered to schools nationwide.
- Outdoor Spaces continues to provide long-term educational impact.
- Business, when guided by purpose, can create lasting societal change.
Links & resources:
https://wildwicklow.ie/
https://differencedays.ie/
https://outdoorspaces.ie/
https://www.goodgrub.ie/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/denisoreilly/
Our Sponsors:
Tap Design Consultancy: https://wearetap.ie/
linkedin.com/company/tapdesignconsultancy