Date Published: 10-May-2011

BY ENDA CUNNINGHAM

Supermac’s boss Pat McDonagh is Galway’s richest man for the second year in a row, having amassed a wealth of more than €120 million.

The former teacher from Ballinasloe and his wife Úna are listed in 70th place in the new Sunday Times Irish Top 250 Rich List 2011.

Mr McDonagh owns the nationwide Supermac’s chain and last year opened his 100th outlet on the Tuam Road.

He also owns the franchises for Papa John’s Pizza and Quizno’s sandwich bars, as well as the US-based Claddagh Irish pub and restaurant chain.

His business interests also include filling stations and forestry development. Last year, they were listed in 68th place on the list – although this represented a significant jump from 135th place in 2009.

Galway natives Michael Cotter (69) and his wife Angela (61), who now live in Dublin, are listed in 84th place (down from 71 last year), with a wealth of €120m. Together, they run Park Developments, a major residential and commercial development company in Dublin.

The Smyth family – who are originally from Claremorris, but are firmly established in Galway since the early 1990s – have jumped up the list to 89th place from 103 last year, thanks to their booming Smyths Toys and Software Zone business. Their wealth is listed as €84m.

The Smyth brothers – Anthony (54), Pádraig (53), Thomas (52) and Liam (48) – have almost 50 toy shops around Ireland and the UK. They also and also own McSwiggans bar and restaurant on Eyre Street, and have property investments.

75 year-old Thomas McDonogh Snr, the figurehead of the builders’ providers and fertiliser sales company, as well as property developments, is at No. 117 (down from 112 last year), with a wealth of €78m. He now holds a minority stake in the company, while his 43 year-old son Tom has a controlling interest through another vehicle.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Sentinel.