Driven to success – JJ Kavanagh & Sons celebrate 100th anniversary

IN 1919 JJ Kavanagh & Sons was established by James and Mollie Kavanagh, who began operating a bus service twice a day from Urlingford and Kilkenny.

Today, as it celebrates its 100th anniversary, the company runs 300 daily services, carrying a total of 3.5 million passengers last year alone.

In the 1940’s, James and Mollie’s sons, Matthew and James, took over the business and it went from strength to strength. New countrywide routes were added and more buses bought to meet the growing demand.

In 1986, JJ and Paul inherited the company when Matthew died and continued the family tradition of hard work and innovation. The company responded to customer needs and changing times and is now Ireland’s largest private coach operator.

JJ Kavanagh & Sons today has a workforce of 250 and the future looks very bright for this Kilkenny success story.

The company this morning issued a special thank you to its customers on social media.

“It’s our 100th birthday – and we couldn’t have done without you! Here’s to the next 100 years!”