In business too things were moving ahead. In 1993 John opened an office in Mallow. From the early days in Coachford he had built up a number of clients in the Mallow area. He was well known in the town and a new office seemed to be the next logical step.

Today he employs 12 staff between the Mallow and Coachford offices and puts his success down to dealing with people as individuals. "You are like a sleeping partner for a lot of businesses," he says. "We always try to offer the most honest advice we can and you can only do that if you have good relationship with you customers and they trust you".

John is well aware of the pressures many businesses are now facing. "Running your own business can be a lonely place. There is so much you have to keep track of and so much responsibility. There are very good people in Ireland now though. We offer them a wealth management service as much as anything. People can get through these tougher times. With a bit of rejigging, they can make a living. I think the downturn will only be with us for another nine or 12 months".

In business too, John's voluntary work continued. He became Chairperson of the North Cork Enterprise Board in 2002 and stayed in the post until 2006. That role really opened his eyes top the strategic aspects of business in a town like Mallow.

"We commissioned a report from Goodbody's looking forward to 2020. It showed just how much potential there is in Mallow and the surrounding area and that's something I aim to continue to promote now with my role in the Mallow Chamber".

This year he became the President of the Mallow Chamber and with the new position came new challenges. "We have brilliant people working with us, a very pro-active board, so it's by no means all on my shoulders. There are big challenges ahead but big opportunities too."

The abandonment of decentralisation has been a big disappointment but there is much else to be positive about.

John says that there is more than €1.5 billion in investment slated for the town over the next three to five years. The chamber will be prioritising the rejuvenation of the Main Street as well as attracting investment.

"Mallow is only two hours from many major centres," says John. "We are in an enviable location and we have to make the most of it". With the Greencore development, the new Cork-Limerick Motorway and the flood relief plan all becoming a reality, Mallow has a bright future ahead. As President of the Chamber you can be sure that John J Sheahan certainly wont let the town rest on its laurels either.

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