Meet Dominic Feeney…

Hi, my name is Dominic Feeney. I am a married father of three and am very fortunate to live where I grew up – outside Westport in Co. Mayo.

I am the CEO of CBE, a family run business based in Claremorris Co. Mayo. CBE was set up by our Chairman, Gerard Concannon, and his wife Catherine in 1980. It is an Irish technology company that specialises in Electronic Point of Sale (EPoS) solutions.

Over the years, CBE has grown to become one of Europe’s leading innovators in retail and hospitality technology. We are the first choice for EPoS solutions across a wide range of sectors, including supermarkets, convenience stores, forecourts, hospitality, pharmacy, and general merchandise.

Your academic background includes an Honours Degree in Commerce and a Post Grad in Systems Analysis. Can you walk us through your experience as a student at University of Galway?

I began my studies at the University of Galway (then known as UCG) in 1987, completing my Bachelor of Commerce (Hons) degree in 1990, followed by a Postgraduate Diploma in Systems Analysis in 1991. I have many fond memories of my University of Galway experience. It was an incredible period of learning and maturing, both academically and personally.

The University has changed enormously since those days – there were about 4,000 students back then, maybe less. Significantly fewer compared to the vibrant and much larger community today. The campus itself has transformed beyond recognition. It’s wonderful to see how it has developed over the years, with all the new buildings and facilities, and this is in no small part because of the University’s vision and the continued support of its global alumni network, something I’m proud to be part of.

As an alumnus of the University, how would you describe the positive impact your experience and studies had on your life and career?

My time at the University of Galway had an enormously positive impact on both my life and career. The building blocks provided to me by University of Galway, combined with the foundations set by my parents, enabled me to develop the career I have today. After completing my Postgraduate Diploma in Systems Analysis, I entered the technology sector at a very exciting time – the early 1990s, when IT and computing were still in their infancy and new business in Ireland. 

When I started in CBE, we were just 16 people. Today, I’m proud to lead a team of over 250 employees, including 25 based in the UK. Across more than 30 years, I progressed from systems support engineer to management to director and now CEO as of 2022. It’s been a rewarding career, built on steady growth, hard work, and great people, all the while applying the principles learned during my time at University of Galway. 

While the academic grounding I gained at the University was essential, the practical and life skills were equally important. Starting my studies at just 17, I became resourceful and self-reliant. Those years taught me how to manage on my own while also being open to and accepting support from other people. I solved problems, worked hard, and kept an open mind – all of which proved invaluable in my professional life. 

I learned that success comes not just from academic knowledge, but from resilience, teamwork, and the willingness to seize opportunities when they arise. 

CBE and its chairman have shown a strong commitment to supporting resilient communities in the West of Ireland. Can you expand on this philosophy of support as well as the culture within the company that facilitates it?

CBE has a long-standing tradition of supporting communities and organisations throughout the West of Ireland – and indeed across the country. Being a West of Ireland company, that connection to place and people has always been central to who we are. 

As a family-owned business, we have always believed that with success comes the responsibility to give something back. Our growth and achievements have been built in partnership with local businesses and communities, so it’s only right that we reinvest in them. Whether it’s supporting local charities, schools, sporting clubs, or community fundraisers, we see these contributions as a way of saying thank you. And honestly, what we give always comes back to us many times over in goodwill and loyalty. 

The culture within CBE reflects that same family ethos, and it is prevalent at every level of the company. We are one team working together, and that sense of belonging has been a major factor in our success and our high staff retention over the years.  

Of course, like any company, we’ve evolved and welcomed new faces along the way, but our core philosophy remains strong: we’re one CBE family. We work hard, we support one another, and we share in our successes; that spirit of unity drives our commitment to giving back to the community that helped us grow. 

CBE recently made a major philanthropic commitment in support of the University’s new Library. Can you talk about the motivations for CBE to support this particular project?

CBE is very proud to be involved with University of Galway’s new Library project. We’ve always placed a strong emphasis on supporting community initiatives, and this partnership felt like a natural extension of that philosophy. 

We’ve had a long and positive relationship with University of Galway over the years. Many of our employees are graduates of the University, and we’ve regularly welcomed students on placement and internships. The University has consistently provided us with exceptional graduates across a range of disciplines – from Business, Computer Science, Software Development and Engineering.  

From a strategic perspective, it’s incredibly important for a company like CBE to have access to skilled graduates who want to build their career in the West of Ireland. The University plays a key role in making that possible. Supporting this project is a way to strengthen that connection and ensure that this vital pipeline of talent continues for future generations. 

CBE is very fortunate to be in a position to contribute at this scale. The Library will be at the heart of student life, a place where young people learn how to access information, research, think critically, and collaborate – all vital skills for the future. 

I have vivid memories of my own time at the University, particularly when it came to finding space in the library. Access was always a challenge, especially around exam time. We’d be scrambling to get a seat in the James Hardiman Library or in the reading room, and there was an unwritten rule that if you left your notes on the desk and were gone for less than 15 minutes, your spot was safe. But any longer and it up for grabs! 

Back then, before the library and reading room was extended, the facilities were limited. The new Library marks the next step in that expansion evolution; a truly state-of-the-art space designed to support the needs of modern students. 

Learning has changed enormously over the past 30 years, and this new facility reflects that progress. It’s wonderful to see the University continuing to invest in the student experience, and CBE is delighted to support such a forward-looking project.  

On a personal note, I’m especially proud to have my eldest now studying at my alma mater, stomping around in some of my old haunts. I genuinely believe that she will spend more time in the library and reading room than I did. 

Both as CEO and from a personal standpoint, why might you consider it important for companies, such as CBE, to provide philanthropic leadership in this way? What mutual benefit is gained by doing so?

As both a CEO and a graduate of University of Galway, I believe it’s incredibly important for companies like CBE to show philanthropic leadership. Giving back has always been part of CBE’s DNA, and it’s something we take great pride in continuing.

When businesses support their communities – whether that’s a local sporting club, a school, a charity overseas, or in this case, a university project – the benefits are felt far beyond the immediate contribution. These organisations do vital work on the ground, and funding allows them to continue and expand that work. Stronger community organisations mean stronger communities, and when communities thrive, individuals do too. They succeed, they grow, and they give back in turn.

So, the benefit is truly mutual. By supporting University of Galway, we’re helping to provide resources that will shape the next generation of graduates – talented individuals who will go on to strengthen not just the West of Ireland, but the country as a whole. That’s something we can all take pride in.

For CBE, being part of that ecosystem of growth and progress is both a privilege and a responsibility. It’s about contributing to a cycle of opportunity – one that ensures the region continues to develop, innovate, and succeed long into the future.

Learn more about University of Galway’s Library!

Learn more about Central Business Equipment (CBE)!