The life and business dealings of Irish meat mogul Larry Goodman are the subject of a new documentary, Goodman: Too Big to Fail, currently airing on RTÉ One. Goodman, who at one point oversaw the largest meat export enterprise in Europe, remains a significant figure in Irish business history.
The Rise of a Beef Baron
Goodman, alongside Michael Smurfit, was considered one of Ireland’s most prominent tycoons during the 1980s. Unlike Smurfit, who came from a privileged background, Goodman hailed from a family of cattle dealers in Dundalk.
The 89-year-old Goodman declined to participate in the documentary, which reportedly offers an unflattering portrayal of his career. The film also serves as a look back at pre-Celtic Tiger Ireland, characterized by a distinct lack of style in public life.
Political Connections and Business Expansion
Goodman was known for his relentless pursuit of business opportunities and his relationships with influential politicians, including Charles Haughey and Liam Lawlor. He successfully lobbied Haughey and Albert Reynolds to expand the government’s export credit guarantee system, effectively insuring his exports to Iraq – a country considered too risky for private insurers by the late 1980s.
Despite constant media attention in the 1980s, Goodman remained an enigmatic figure. Former employee Eamon Mackle recalls a lack of personal engagement, stating Goodman “wouldn’t have been at the match,” referring to social small talk.
Cracks in the Empire
The first episode of Goodman: Too Big to Fail concludes as the first signs of trouble emerge for Goodman’s business following Iraq’s 1990 invasion of Kuwait. The documentary will continue to explore Goodman’s downfall and the resulting political repercussions in its second part.
The documentary highlights a period when business leaders were revered in Ireland, often with a level of scrutiny that is uncommon today. The series questions whether these figures were genuinely successful or simply perceived that way.
Goodman: Too Big to Fail concludes next Monday, March 9, on RTÉ One at 9.35pm.
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