The Donegal Dublin Business Network (DDBN) has announced James Anthony McGinley as the recipient of the Business Person of the Year Award for 2025. The Award recognises and celebrates the significant contribution the Donegal native has made to the business community in Ireland.
For almost 40 years James Anthony has been the driving force behind John McGinley’s Coach Travel. Founded in 1968, with a single minibus by his father John, the business has grown over five decades to be the trusted transport link for people travelling from Donegal to Dublin, Scotland, and beyond.
Headquartered in Magheroarty, near Gortahork, McGinley Coach Travel operates one of Ireland’s most recognisable coach fleets. Last year the company unveiled a fleet of 10 new coaches at a cost of €4 million, demonstrating a significant investment to serving the transport links to Donegal.
The prestigious award will be officially presented to the James Anthony McGinley at the DDBN Christmas Gala Dinner on Thursday, December 11th at the Iveagh Garden Hotel, Harcourt Street, Dublin 2. A specially commissioned sculpture by Letterkenny artist, Redmond Herrity will be presented as part of the award.
The evening will also feature a charity auction and raffle in aid of Pieta House North West to help raise much needed funds for vital services in Donegal.
Speaking on the announcement, James Anthony McGinley said::“It is a great honour to accept the DDBN Business Person of the Year Award for 2025. We are humbled to have been chosen by the DDBN and it is therefore a particular sense of pride to be recognised by your own county folk. I’d like to pay tribute to my Dad, one of my best friends, for all his support over the past 40 years. I left school at 16 and my Dad gave me the opportunity and trust to take over the business. His influence and guidance were invaluable. I also want to acknowledge the outstanding team behind McGinley Coach Travel. Without their dedication and hard work, we simply wouldn’t be where we are today. I’d like to thank the Donegal Dublin Business Network for bestowing this honour on us and also thank them for the work they do in supporting business at home and in the capital. It is also a privilege to have Pieta House, Donegal as the charity chosen for the gala dinner and we look forward to help raise vital funds for this important charity and service in the county.”
DDBN Chairman Garrett Harte said the recognition was richly deserved: “The awarding of the DDBN Business Person of the Year to James Anthony McGinley is a special honour for the DDBN Committee. John McGinley Coach Travel is synonymous with Donegal, providing a vital transport link between the county and Dublin for so many years. There are very few people who have not had a trip on a McGinley’s coach as a student attending college, as a patient travelling for medical appointments, catching a flight at Dublin Airport, or as a tourist discovering the beauty of our county.”
Tickets are now on sale for the DDBN Christmas Dinner & Business Person of the Year Award on Thursday, December 11 at the Iveagh Garden Hotel.
We have two different ticket prices for this year to show our gratitude to our paid-up members.
Paid Up DDBN Members ticket price €65.00 link is here Members
Non-Members ticket price €90.00 link is here Non Members
The DDBN are again on the hunt for raffle prizes and auction items to help raise much needed funds for our chosen Donegal charity, Pieta House North West, and we would greatly appreciate any prizes or donations.
Please contact the DDBN email direct at donegaldublinbusinessnetwork@gmail.com should you wish to donate a prize or funds towards a prize for the night.
