In the space of just 14 years, Matthews Coach Hire Ltd has established itself as one of Ireland's leading privately-operated coach hire companies. Managing director Paddy Matthews explains more about the Inniskeen-based firm.

Since 1995, Matthews' distinctive white buses have become a familiar sight on roads up and down the country.
Founded by husband and wife Paddy and Mary Matthews, Matthews Coach Hire Ltd has grown into one of Ireland's most successful privately-owned coach hire companies. Along with their sons Noel, Patrick and Gerry and their 50 employees, Paddy and Mary have built up their fleet from a single mini-bus to 23 larges coaches and four mini-buses. And they will buck the recessionary trend by taking delivery of nine brand new coaches early in the New Year.
"We've come a long way in a relatively short space of time," Paddy Matthews proudly states.
"We've got ourselves into a position now where we are well known all over Ireland and are recognised as the safest bus company out there. We have 70 arrivals from Dundalk into Parnell Street in Dublin every day and that is something we certainly couldn't have envisaged when we started out with just one mini-bus back in 1995."
He continues: "We don't get as much business from the GAA as we used because of the fact that nearly every player travels to matches in cars nowadays, but I'll always be grateful to Paddy O'Rourke for the help he gave us in the early days.
"Paddy was treasurer of the Monaghan county board at the time and he put a lot of work our way. We transported various Monaghan county teams to and from matches, and that work played a big part in helping to get us established."
Based in Callenberg, Inniskeen - next door to Inniskeen GAA's new grounds - Matthews Coach Hire are renowned for providing an excellent and efficient service to their customers both in their private hire and daily commuter service.
The company prides itself on offering its customers the best possible service there is. Matthews' fleet of coaches are owned, operated and serviced at their Inniskeen depot, and are suitable for any type of occasion. Whether you need a coach for a wedding transfer, school outing, sporting event, day trip or corporate hire, Matthews can cater for your needs at prices you can afford.
Matthews Coach Hire are members of the Coach Tourism Council of Ireland (CTTC) and their coaches are Bord Failte-approved, ensuring that your trip with them is a pleasant experience.
All of Matthews' coaches are under three years old, making their fleet one of the most modern in the country. Each coach is equipped with WIFI and air conditioning, while other facilities such as DVD players and fridges are also available on certain models.
The WIFI facility allows passengers onboard access to the internet. This facility is offered free to all passengers who have a wap-enabled phone or have access to their laptop.
Needless to say, this service has gone down a treat with passengers on Matthews' daily commuter services between Dundalk and Dublin, who can view their emails before they arrive at their office desk.
"The WIFI facility enables them to get a head start on their day's work," Paddy explains.
"They can get an hour's work done as they travel, thus making their work day less strenuous. We have something like 2,000 unique users at this stage. We have also embraced modern technology and were the first to introduce the Alcolock system, vehicle tracking system and CCTV in all coaches. We are way ahead of our rivals in terms of safety, security, comfort and customer care."
As well as offering a daily service between Dublin, Drogheda and Dublin, Matthews' also have a service operating between Bettystown, Laytown and Dublin supplying the people of East Meath with a regular service.
Matthews Coach Hire is now offering clubs, groups and schools a one-stop package for overseas trips.
Paddy explains: "We can look after their travel, boat sailings and accommodation needs. We can also arrange tickets for events such as football matches, concerts, shows and so on. Groups that travel with us don't have to worry about a thing. We take the hassle out of the trip for them. We are a registered tour operator and offer a service that won't be beaten by anyone."
Matthews' top-class service and all-round excellence is reflected in the number of prestigious awards they have received down the years. In October 2009 alone, the company collected four awards in safety and business growth.
On October 6, the Matthews family travelled to the Marriott Johnstown House in Enfield, Co. Meath to accept a Fleet Magazine Safety Award for the introduction of the Alcolock 500 breathalysers and their very detailed health and safety policy.
Following on from that, on October 14, Matthews Coach Hire received two more awards from the Road Safety Authority (RSA) at their awards ceremony in Farmleigh House, Dublin.
These were 'The Leading Lights Road Safety Award' and 'The Supreme Award for Implementing Road Safety Measures'.
Speaking at the awards ceremony, RSA chairman and former 'Late Late Show' host Gay Byrne said: "In every community across Ireland, there are ordinary people doing extraordinary work, quietly but tirelessly working to reduce deaths and serious injuries on Irish roads.
"They do this, not for their own benefit, but for the benefit of every single person who use the roads so that we can all live in a community free of carnage. These are the unsung heroes of road safety. And it gives me great pride and honour to be able to thank them personally for their outstanding achievements."
Then, on October 17, Matthews picked up the award for 'Best Business Growth' at the Dundalk Chamber of Commerce Gala Ball in the Fairways Hotel.
While describing the four awards as a "great achievement", Paddy Matthews stresses the importance of his company remaining focused during these difficult times for the Irish economy.
He says: "We cannot take our eye off the ball in the current economic climate. The recognition is a great bonus, but all the measures we take on safety and environmental issues are part of what each one of us much do to keep our roads safer and greener."
The affable Inniskeen man concludes by paying tribute to his staff for the vital role they have played in his company's success.
"I would like to thank our drivers and office staff for their combined efforts in achieving these four awards. And as a Monaghan GAA supporter, I would like to wish all our teams the very best in 2010." Tweet

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