Since the 1940s, McDaid’s has been developing soft drinks to go with any occasion. The Ramelton brand’s iconic soft drink Football Special was originally created to celebrate the success of local football club, Swilly Rovers. Now run by Seamus McDaid, this fourth-generation family soft drinks business blends nostalgia, flavour, and colour with Donegal’s free spirit to create a legendary Donegal brand.

Seamus McDaid, MD of Football Special

The company produces craft soft drinks and ice creams; the business also partnered with Trouble Brewing to launch a sour beer, which quickly sold out across Ireland when it launched last year. The team has also created the Football Special Yard, a space in Ramelton to celebrate all things Football Special.

Supports from LEO

Over the years, Seamus McDaid and his team have worked closely with the Local Enterprise Office in Donegal: “We have availed of a variety of supports offered by our Local Enterprise Office and have found them of great value to our business.” Seamus said. “Through a  TAME ( Technical Assistance for Micro Exporters) support, we have been able to explore opportunities to develop into new export markets. The Business Expansion Grant helped to us to grow our team to focus on growing our business, providing greater focus on marketing and new sales opportunities.  The Trading Online Voucher has helped us enhance our online presence and broaden our reach. We’ve also availed of the LEO mentoring programme which provided valuable assistance on specific business needs ”

Adding to this, Head of Enterprise Donegal, Brenda Hegarty, said: “Football Special is an institution in Donegal. Once only available locally, it’s now accessible in selected retailers throughout Ireland and beyond. We are delighted to work closely with Seamus and his team to facilitate their expansion nationally and beyond. This expansion benefits both the business and Donegal, as these enterprises and the people who run them keep our local economy thriving.”

Head of Enterprise Donegal, Brenda Hegarty.

“Our team at the Local Enterprise Office is always ready to support any business as they grow” added Brenda. “We offer a variety of assistance programmes including our award-winning Ambition programme, a female accelerator focused on female entrepreneurs that promotes the skills and resilience needed to develop globally scalable ventures, attract investment and create jobs.”

To find out more about McDaid’s Football Special, click here: https://football-special.com/  or you can watch the video below with Seamus

If you have an idea to start or grow your business within Donegal, get in touch to find out how the Local Enterprise Office can help. Email info@leo.donegalcoco.ie or call (074) 916 0735.