From Late Late Show to €15,000 bursary: Former Kilkenny barber-turned entrepreneur’s new business is a cut above

A Kilkenny entrepeneur who recently appeared on the Late Late Show has been awarded a special bursary of €15,000 to support his growing business.

Patrick Cox was presented with a cheque of €15,000 from the Bank of Ireland branch in Castlecomer in recognition of his business,  Dialize Clothing, an accessible medical clothing brand of stylistic yet discreet garments for patients undergoing dialysis, chemotherapy and all IV or PICC line treatments.

Patrick formerly worked for many years as barber in Kilkenny city and, after Covid-19 hit, moved in a different business direction. He is now the recipient of a Bank of Ireland bursary aimed at supporting local businesses, bringing his own experience in this area to bear having undergone many years of dialysis treatments himself.

Speaking as he presented Patrick with a cheque for €15,000, Bank of Ireland branch manager Cormac O’Driscoll said: “Bank of Ireland is delighted to provide this bursary, supporting a growing local business that was created in the face of adversity but has proven to be a real success story. Patrick showed great ambition in pivoting so swiftly from working as a barber to setting up Dialize Clothing, and the success of his brand is a testament to his hard work and dedication.”

Patrick added: “I am delighted with the success of Dialize Clothing to date, and my ambition is to grow the business further in the years to come. Support like this provided by Bank of Ireland is a wonderful boost, and with more Dialize Clothing product designs in the pipeline will help to ensure the business continues to go from strength to strength.”

PHOTO: Dylan Vaughan