How do you go from founding one of Europe’s most disruptive airlines to transforming Ireland’s approach to giving?
In this episode, Dr. Dec Ryan—first CEO of Ryanair and founder of the One Foundation—talks candidly about what drove him to philanthropy, the lessons he learned from both failure and success, and why he believes Irish giving needs to be bolder, smarter, and less afraid to break a few eggs.
From mental health to migrant rights to rural bookshops, Dec shares the stories behind his biggest projects, his no-nonsense philosophy on charity, and what really matters when you want to make an impact.
If you’ve ever wondered what real, purposeful giving looks like—or what’s holding it back—this is the episode for you.
THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT
- What sparked Dec Ryan’s shift from Ryanair to philanthropy
- Why the One Foundation chose a “spend-down” approach
- How personal experience shaped their mental health giving
- What Ireland gets wrong (and right) about supporting migrants
- Lessons learned from failures, and how to actually make an impact
GUEST DETAILS
Dec founded The One Foundation in 2004. He was inspired by Dale Carnegie and Chuck Feeney, especially the latter’s concept of “giving while living”. The One Foundation was named after the U2 song “One” which contains the lyric “We carry each other”. Dr Ryan is also the founder and Managing Partner of Irelandia Aviation which has built 5 low-cost carriers to date incluidng Ryanair.
MORE INFORMATION
Looking to learn more about the power of strategic giving and effecting real change? Visit https://www.philanthropy.ie/ to learn more.
The Philanthropy Ireland Podcast is produced by
DustPod.ioQUOTES
- I’m not mad on the word philanthropy—love the word giving. – Dr Dec Ryan
- Sometimes when you throw 50 grand at a charity, it floods them… You think they’re able for it, and sometimes they’re not. – Dr Dec Ryan
- One of the best measures of success is that they don’t need us anymore. – Dr Dec Ryan
- If people got 10% of the crack I got out of the crew, you’d do it every day. – Dr Dec Ryan
- You have to break a few eggs along the way. Failure isn’t frustrating—it’s just part of the process. – Dr Dec Ryan
KEYWORDS
#Philanthropy #GivingBack #MentalHealth #IrishCharity #Impact #SocialChange #Leadership
What is Philanthropy Ireland Podcast?
Every successful entrepreneur and business owner reaches a crossroads where wealth becomes more than personal achievement. It becomes opportunity. The Philanthropy Ireland Podcast explores the profound question that keeps many of these awake at night: How can success create lasting change beyond my lifetime?
Join us for intimate conversations with business leaders who've discovered that giving isn't just about writing cheques, it's about writing the next chapter of their life's story. Through candid interviews, you'll hear how philanthropy has transformed Irish communities and enriched the lives of the givers themselves in ways they never anticipated.
Your success has brought you here. Your legacy starts with what you do next.