Death of Dr Martin Naughton of Stackallan House

Tributes to entrepreneur and philanthropist

Martin Naughton of Stackallan House, the founder of Glen Dimplex, has died, aged 87.

In a statement, his family said that he took ill while travelling in the US with his wife Carmel.

In 1993, The Naughtons, well known patrons of the art and philanthropists in the education sector, came to Stackallan, between Navan and Slane, and immediately began an extensive restoration of the house and demesne, a 15th century manor expanded in the 1700s by Gustavas Hamilton, the first Viscount Boyne.

Martin Naughton studied mechanical and production engineering in Southampton, England. After 12 years working as an industrial engineer and plant manager he founded the private, family-owned Glen Electric (now Glen Dimplex) in 1973, headquartered in Dunleer, Co Louth. Glen Dimplex now has 23 manufacturing plants worldwide in Ireland, UK, France, Germany, Holland, Norway, Australia, New Zealand, China and USA.

Dr Naughton was also the co-owner of The Merrion Hotel in Dublin, along with the family of businessman Lochlann Quinn, and maintained a suite there.

He received honorary degrees from the University of Notre Dame, USA; Trinity College, Dublin; University College, Dublin; Queen’s University, Belfast; Ulster University, Coleraine and Griffith College, Dublin, and was a Trustee emeritus of the University of Notre Dame, South Bend, Indiana.

Martin Naughton served for seven years as a member of the Irish Council of State and is a past chairman of Intertrade Ireland. He was on the Advisory Board of Citi Private Bank for Europe and the Middle East. He was a Knight of the British Empire (KBE) and was honoured by the French Government, becoming an Officier of the Légion d’Honneur.

In 2008, Carmel and Martin Naughton established the Naughton Foundation to promote the study of engineering, science and technology by students in any publicly funded university or third-level institution in Ireland, including Northern Ireland.

The scheme started as a pilot in three counties and has continued to expand annually to become a nationwide scheme in 2016. There is one guaranteed scholarship for each participating county, with some counties awarded more than one scholarship and each scholarship is worth €6,000 for each year of a student’s three- or four-year undergraduate degree.

Last year, speaking about the growth and development of the programme over those seventeen years, Dr Naughton said: “Both Carmel and I are delighted by the growth of this programme and the incredible community of alumni who are doing extraordinary work in education, research and industry at home and abroad. When we meet these young engineers, researchers, and mathematicians, I am very happy knowing that we have invested in Ireland’s wealth creators and leaders of the future.”

Also last year, in a leadership transition at Glen Dimplex, Dr Naughton’s son, Fergal, became Group CEO at Glen Dimplex, replacing Fergal Leamy who was last month named the chief executive designate of An Post.

Fergal Naughton said at the time: “I consider it a privilege to lead my family’s business, which was founded by my father, Martin, more than half a century ago.”

Meath East TD and Minister for EU Affairs, Thomas Byrne, sad he was deeply saddened to learn of the death of Martin Naughton, one of Ireland’s greatest industrialists and philanthropists.

"From small beginnings in Newry, he built Glen Dimplex into a world leader,” the Minister for European Affairs stated today.

"Countless students locally and nationally got their start through the Naughton Foundation. Martin’s impact, with his wife Carmel, on education, culture and innovation is felt internationally. In Meath we were proud to know him as a resident. My sympathies to Mrs Carmel Naughton and the Naughton family. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.”

The Ceann Comhairle of Dáil Eireann, Verona Murphy, expressed deep sorrow at the passing of Dr Naughton, "one of Ireland’s most distinguished entrepreneurs, philanthropists and business leaders".

“I was saddened to learn of Martin’s passing," she stated. " I had the privilege of knowing him personally and was struck not only by his remarkable achievements but by his warmth, humility and generosity.

"Martin embodied the Irish success story. With vision and determination, he built Glen Dimplex into a global leader, showcasing the strength and ambition of Irish enterprise. His legacy extends far beyond business. Through his support for education and opportunity, he transformed lives and opened doors for generations of young people.

Despite his success, Martin remained grounded, approachable and committed to Ireland’s future. He inspired others to use their achievements to make a meaningful difference.

"Ireland has lost not only a great entrepreneur, but a generous and compassionate citizen whose legacy will endure."

Terry Neill, president of Wexford Festival Opera, said: “Wexford Festival Opera mourns the death of Dr Martin Naughton who, with his family, was a wonderful supporter of Wexford Festival Opera at vital points of its development.

“I have been privileged to know Martin as a friend for over 40 years. The creator of an extraordinary global business; a philanthropist whose support - and as importantly, whose values - have had impact in nearly every dimension of Irish life, and a philanthropist who has supported young people from every county. I will remember a master storyteller who could entertain and inspire. The thoughts of the Wexford Festival Opera family are with Carmel and the family who were Martin’s pride and joy. May he rest in peace.”

Lannleire GFC in Dunleer said it was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Martin Naughton.

“Following the founding of the Glen Dimplex Group by Martin in 1977, Dunleer and its environs benefitted enormously from the employment created over the following years,” the club stated.

“Martin also made a significant contribution to many local community projects, notably the refurbishment of the Market House which re opened in 2014 and more recently Dunleer Garden of Remembrance (Grace Gifford Plunkett Garden) which officially opened in May 2023. Lannleire club will be forever grateful for all the generous funding provided by the Glen Dimplex Group who were for several years the main sponsor of the club. On big match days the club also received free use of the nearby factory car park.”

The Camogie Association said it was “deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Martin Naughton, founder of Glen Dimplex and a true friend of our game through the company's valued support of camogie. His vision and generosity have made a lasting impact on our games. We extend our sincere sympathies to his wife Carmel, all the Naughton family, as well as his colleagues and many friends.”

Dr Naughton is survived by his wife, Carmel, family, Fiona, Neil and Fergal, and extended family.