Norah Casey is an Irish businesswoman, magazine publisher, television personality and broadcaster from Dublin, Ireland.
At 17, Casey moved from Dublin to Loch Lomand in Scotland to study nursing. At 23, Casey decided she needed a career change and undertook a postgrad in journalism and television production at Harlow College and Ealing College, respectively. Casey went on to work for several well known broadcasters including the BBC, Sky and LBC and publications, including The Irish Post, before moving back to Ireland where she did an MBO (management buy out) in 2004 of a number of companies owned by Smurfit Kappa.Casey’s business expertise includes acquiring and launching multiple enterprises as well as a wide range of SME investments in Ireland and internationally. She studied strategic management for a number of years at Ashridge Management College. Casey began her publishing career at the age of 26, after five years as a registered general nurse and a professional officer for the Royal College of Nursing in London. She is the founder of the award-winning company, Harmonia. An Irish publishing house behind such titles including, FOOD&WINE Magazine, Irish Tatler, Tatler Man, Woman’s Way, Ireland of the Welcomes and U Magazine.[6]
In November 2017, it was announced that Casey had closed a deal with US-based publishing company Irish Studio (also an investor in Irish Central) to sell six of Harmonia’s titles to the company. Norah would remain on the board of each of the titles in an executive role.
Casey still publishes Ireland’s best selling women’s magazine, ‘Woman’s Way,’ along with several other contracted magazine publications. Casey joined the panel of Dragons’ Den (Irish TV series) in 2011 for two series.asey married broadcaster Richard Hannaford on New Year’s Eve 1996. They had one child together, a son, Dara, in 1998. After a short battle with cancer, Richard died on 12 October 2011.
Casey was a guest on the Late Late Show on 26 May 2017, during which she discussed the abuse she suffered from her first husband. Since this announcement, Norah has worked closely with domestic violence charities, including Women’s Aid, most notably on their campaign #TooIntoYou.
Casey in her won words:”I have a reputation for being a Dragon (the rarer female variety) but I am much nicer in real life. You might also know me as a magazine publisher and in more recent years as a television presenter, radio broadcaster and author. But I am also a widow, a single mum, a former nurse and a passionate advocate for social change towards that elusive dream of equality. I like to kickstart badly needed conversations through my writing or broadcasting whether it is in the area of racial prejudice, homelessness, women’s rights or dying with dignity. I also believe in the power of enterprise and entrepreneurship. Everyone has the ability to be their own boss regardless of their social background, age or area of expertise. What drives me on is the belief that I can, in my own infinitesimal way, effect change. You are as likely to find me talking to a group of transition year students as MBA graduates. And my choice of television and radio programming will always reflect who I am and what I believe in.” We are so very grateful to Norah for telling her story so beautifully and openly. Thank yopu Norah for giving so many important causes a voice and a platform.