Kieran touches on his Irish heritage and how they influenced building his pubs.
“Heritage — and the creative side of it — is so important.”
Watch as Kieran describes the history behind opening his various Irish pubs in Minneapolis, and the creativity required to stay true to his Irish roots.
About the speaker
Born in Ballyhaunis in the West of Ireland, Kieran Folliard started out in the hospitality industry carrying the bags of passengers in his father’s hackney (taxi) business. After 17 years in corporate marketing, he realized that he loved being in pubs, so, like any good self-respecting Irish guy, he decided to open one. 18 years later, the business had grown to include The Local, The Liffey, Cooper, and Kieran’s. 2 GINGERS® Irish Whiskey was launched as a test in those pubs in March of 2011, and quickly earned a loyal following. To pursue wider distribution, Folliard sold his shares of the pub business and made 2 GINGERS his full-time passion. In December 2012, Beam acquired 2 GINGERS and it joined the Kilbeggan family of Irish Whiskeys. As the COO of 2 GINGERS and the North American Brand Ambassador for Kilbeggan, Folliard will lead the charge for the Kilbeggan family of whiskey across the U.S. as 2 GINGERS continues its nationwide expansion. Tell your friends, family, and colleagues to ask for it all across the U.S.
Favorite quotes from this talk See all
Heritage is really about what you bring to the community that is from your soul. Creative work is what keeps heritage alive.
The pub, the public house—or as I call it, the egalitarian gathering spot—were people's own houses back in the 1700s and 1800s. They became the community centers.
George Bernard Shaw said, "An Irish person is nothing if not their imagination."
I've never had a creative idea over a cup of coffee. I was awake, but no creative ideas... How do you think all these rock bands got these great songs and albums? You think it was from drinking coffee?
You can find an Irish pub anywhere, and I think they are successful for the reason that they are gathering spots.
Photos from this talk See all
Hosted by
Sensory Environment Design
2746 31st Avenue South
Minneapolis, Minnesota United States 55406
Date
Partners
Sensory Environment Design
Videographer Ryan Gates