In this episode of the Philanthropy Ireland Podcast, Vincent Wall speaks with Ed Murphy about business, giving, and revitalising rural Ireland. Ed reflects on business success, the meaning of “enough,” and why he has committed his time and resources to revitalising communities in County Wexford.

Vincent Wall: You’ve had a hugely successful business career. When did philanthropy begin to take shape for you?

Ed Murphy: I think if you end up in philanthropy, it’s probably always been in your nature. But for me, it became real when I stepped back after exiting my business and recognised I had enough. That’s a moment people rarely acknowledge. I realised I didn’t want to spend another decade building something just to repeat the same cycle. Instead, I wanted to use what I’d learned to do something genuinely useful.

“I think often… people are not pulled aside and told, by the way, you probably have enough.”

That shift brought you back to Wexford. What did you see when you returned?

Coming back after so many years, I could feel the difference straight away. The energy I remembered just wasn’t there anymore. Too many young people had left, and with them went ambition, vibrancy, and future potential. That really drove me. I wanted to help create sustainable jobs and a community where people could live, work, and enjoy life locally again. It wasn’t just about employment, it was about rebuilding a sense of place.

You didn’t set up a traditional foundation. Instead, you’ve taken a collaborative approach. Why?

I came into philanthropy a bit sideways. I started by helping the county council, but I found I could move faster and have more impact by setting up something myself. That led to Green Tech HQ. The idea was to create an innovation hub focused on sustainability; renewable energy, circular economy, and future industries. At the same time, I began mentoring local businesses to help them scale, because growing indigenous companies is one of the fastest ways to create jobs.

I also chose to work with organisations like Rethink Ireland because they bring governance and expertise. If I put in €50,000, it can turn into €100,000 and do real value for the community. That kind of leverage made sense to me.

What impact have you seen so far?

At the start, there was plenty of scepticism, even from myself at times. I was investing my own money and taking a chance on something new. But today, there are over 100 people working in the hub. We’ve supported dozens of companies and helped create real jobs. That’s hugely satisfying. Beyond that, I can see a shift in mindset. There’s more positivity, more engagement, and people beginning to believe in what’s possible again.

You’ve taken risks throughout your career. Has your attitude to risk changed?

Not really. If anything, I’m even more comfortable with risk now. I’ve had successes and failures over the years, but you don’t need to win every time. If one in three or four works out, that can make all the difference. Now, I’m willing to take those risks for something bigger than just business success.

“The biggest risk in life is not taking a risk at all.”

What challenges have you encountered in trying to drive change locally?

One of the biggest challenges is a decline in community spirit. Volunteerism isn’t as strong as it once was, and there’s more of an individual mindset. I believe businesses, especially successful ones, have a responsibility to give back, to support their local communities, mentor others, and help build a stronger environment overall. That’s something we need to rebuild.

What would you say to others considering philanthropy?

I’d say start small and get involved. You don’t have to have all the answers. Work with organisations that know what they’re doing, learn from them, and build from there. Most importantly, recognise when you have enough and think about what you can do with that. For me, the satisfaction of helping, mentoring, and seeing real change has been far greater than anything I experienced in business.

“I haven’t been paid for the last six or seven years… but it’s the best job I’ve ever had.”

Ed Murphy’s journey shows how entrepreneurial skills can be redirected towards community impact. By combining local focus with collaborative giving, he is helping to create a model for sustainable, place-based philanthropy in Ireland.

This is an extract of the Philanthropy Ireland podcast. You can find out more about the Philanthropy Ireland Podcast > philanthropy.ie/podcast