Our Expertise
Investment, Partnerships and Management in the Construction, Hospitality & Real Estate industries.
Our Commitment to Results
Having built our own companies from scratch, we are familiar with the hard work required to succeed and are committed to and prepared to create new opportunities with the right partnerships.
Our Philosophy
We are committed to the culture in everything that we do. We want to create opportunity and experience based on shared values, to explore our potential network and to ensure that we are always giving back.
Our Experience
Bringing back a genuine and immersive experience for the locals and for new immigrants abroad, by creating spaces, networks and employment opportunities. Our goal has always been to put people first and we continue to reflect that in the warm, inviting and simply fun entities that we have and will continue to establish.
Laura & William Donnellan
Founders of IRLG
Laura & William Donnellan are originally from Galway Ireland and ventured on to Vancouver in 2009, where their 6 month working holiday visa quickly turned into a decade of adventure and success, here in beautiful British Columbia.
IRL Construction Ltd. was the first company they founded within only a few short years of moving to Canada. William had owned his own construction company in his early 20's back in Ireland and utilized his trade as a carpenter to build the enterprise from the ground up. Likewise, the pubs that were soon to follow, were also built by Laura, William and their hard-working IRL team.
Laura is the HR Business Partner, who had primarily been handling the logistics of the construction business, leading the company to multiple awards & acheivements, including Best Immigrant Employers. They now have over 150 employees on their roster, full time. As their construction division expanded, Laura navigated towards her natural inclination for all things creative, by managing the interior design behind all of their pubs.
​
Both have proudly established multiple companies across Canada and have continued to grow their portfolio in Canada and internationally.
James D. Vilvang,
IRL Advisory Board
James has been a distinguished and recognized trial lawyer for over 40 years and is highly regarded by all sectors of the bar for his work ethic, insight, and love of the legal profession
Deb Paulsen,
IRL Advisory Board
Deb is a seasoned professional and devoted employee advocate with lots of experience leveraging HR and operations to develop winning teams. She has built multiple market leading organizations and effective strategies that support and sustain business growth
Stan W. Lee,
IRL Advisory Board
With over 35 years of public practice experience, Stan has extensive experience with owner managed businesses & expertise in research & development tax incentives & government funding. Stan has written numerous business articles including articles for the Vancouver Sun.
Aaron Lacey
Director of Operations
IRL Group has 3 things; People, Passion & Variety. We are so lucky that we get to work with such dedicated, hard working and fun people. 'Do what you love, and love what you do' is evident here! No one day is the same, working here will definitely see you develop skills you may never have thought you needed before!
​
Through Summer I'll be on the Hurling field, camping, paddle boarding, riding my motorcycle or at the golf course. In the Winter you will most likely find me skiing or enjoying a beverage with friends in our local pubs!
%20(1).jpg)
Mike Roche,
VP of Construction
The scope of the projects that IRL takes on means that no two days are ever the same. This diversity keeps me engaged, while also presenting me with new challenges and opportunities for continued growth in my field.
​
Outside of work I'll be spending time with my family. I am a proud dad of 2 boys, and bike rides through Vancouver’s beautiful trails are top of the list at the moment.
%20(1).jpg)
Jennifer Rafer,
Senior Bookkeeper
I love the people I work with and the people I work for. Everyone genuinely cares, supports and learns from each other everyday. Lots of love and laughter as well. What more can a gal ask for? Beautiful head office with a great view? IRL Group has that too!
​
In my spare time I'm out enjoying the outdoors with my family. You'll often find us camping, swimming, hiking, etc..
I also like trying different restaurants and different cuisines.
Naibhla Neary,
Accounting Assistant
I am delighted to say I am part of the IRL Group which is like a big family. We all help each other out and always have a laugh together. The group is constantly expanding which means we're always learning more, whilst meeting new friends along the way.
​
While not working, I am normally with my friends playing football, going on hikes and travelling around to visit new places.
Beth Jardine,
Marketing Coordinator
I love coming into work and not knowing what crazy idea we'll be rolling with today! It's incredible to be around people who are constantly coming up with new ideas and genuinely love what they do. We really do have the best team.
Outside of work you can find me singing in one of our bars, or exploring everything Vancouver has to offer! Some days that's climbing a mountain, other days that's sitting in a pub with a glass (or 2) of wine. It's called balance, right?
Haruka Nagamatsu,
Bookkeeper
I appreciate the strong sense of team that IRL has. It’s wonderful to know I can count on everyone when I am stuck on something, and the learning that comes along with that.
​
I take advantage of the beautiful nature that Vancouver offers with my friends, whether that's taking an easy walk on the seawall or hiking etc! I love to read books and do some baking/cooking as well.
Gráinne Fitzgerald,
Operations Assistant
IRL has given me the opportunity to be creative and put my passions into use; marketing and events. It's always exciting to collaborate and generate new ideas with the team. The culture at IRL means we have the freedom to share our thoughts and support each other with whatever we're working on that week.
When I’m not at the office, I’ll usually be discovering somewhere new. Whistler has been the highlight for me so far, definitely one for the bucket list!
Ciara Flood,
Executive Assistant
I love how committed IRL Group is to their customers and employees. They have honed their abilities on creating positive working relationships and they truly stick to their values of Integrity, Reliability and Loyalty.
In my spare time I love being in the outdoors, whether it is cycling along the Sea Wall, camping in the mountains or skiing in Whistler, I love it!
Ciara O' Neill,
Event Coordinator
Events management is all about creating treasured memories and experiences for our customers, and I feel honoured to help in anyway I can. Working with a team of professional and friendly people also makes my time here all the more enjoyable.
​
In my spare time I can usually be found performing with my band (often in one of the IRL venues) or out socialising with my friends.
Tom Young,
General Manager of Smith's of Gastown
I've known Willie and Laura since arriving in Vancouver in 2014. They're a major part of the Irish community & I jumped on the opportunity to work with them in an amazing location in Gastown.
​
I enjoy spending time with my wife when I'm off and having some social time with friends!
Nef Villanueva,
Executive Chef
I love IRL for the people and comradery. No one is afraid to get hands dirty from from top to bottom - everyone gets stuck in no matter what! No one person is better than the rest. It's a proper team/family in and outside of work.
I enjoy being beside the water as I've always lived beside water and nature. I have a massive love for all things rugby and MMA, but my favorite thing to do is develop new recipes and dishes.
Doireann Walsh,
General Manager of Donnellan's Irish Pub
I love working for a company with such a strong sense of community. The rate with which you can progress within this company is unmatched. I started in Donnellan’s as a part time bartender and less than four years later I signed on as General Manager of the same bar. William and Laura believe in the people they hire, they trust in us to carry their vision and they’re always there to help whenever you need it.
In my spare time you can find me walking my dog, hosting one of our monthly pop up Gaeltacht events in Donnellans, on stage singing or doing some “quality control” in any of our locations
Conor Blaney,
General Manager of The Shamrock Bar & Grill
I’ve thoroughly enjoyed every minute since starting with IRL group back a couple of years ago.
It’s a family business just like I’ve grown up in back home in Donegal and this makes it all the more enjoyable. William & Laura are first class!
In my spare time I play a lot of football, ski, golf & follow the famous Glasgow Celtic.