Michael Maughan RIP
The former Executive Chairman of the Gowan Group, Michael Maughan, passed away on Thursday, 26th March 2026, at the age of 88 following a short illness. He was an astute business man and a larger than life character.
Michael Maughan RIP
Born in to Life: 19th. May, 1938.
Born in to Eternity: 26th March 2026.
Born on 19th May, 1938, he was the son of Dublin surgeon and physician, Matthew Maughan. He grew up in Dublin and was educated at Clongowes and College of Commerce in Rathmines.
Michael began his brilliant career in Domas advertising at the tender age of 19 in 1957. In 1965, at just 27 years of age, he acquired Wilson Hartnell, one of the longest established communications consultancies in Ireland (founded in 1897), growing the business exponentially.
Michael then bought Bell Advertising in 1976 to service Wilson Hartnell’s conflicting accounts, and it too blossomed to become a major force in Irish advertising.
After a number of years at the helm, Michael Maughan agreed a deal with WPP’s Martin Sorrell to sell the group to Ogilvy.
In 1977, Michael Maughan married Gemma Smith. She had been married to the late Con Smith, the Cavanman who in 1969 founded a family-run holding company what is today the Gowan Group. Con died in an air crash near Heathrow in June of 1972.
Michael joined the Gowan Group board in 1979, holding the position of Executive Chairman from 1993 until his retirement in 2020. Michael was instrumental in shaping the Group’s direction and driving its growth, leaving a lasting impact on both the business and culture.
Through his leadership and support to the management teams, the family-owned holding company strengthened its foundations and expanded its presence over the decades, today directly controlling a number of successful trading companies in Ireland across its Gowan Auto, Gowan Home and Senator Windows divisions.
Michael stepped down as a director of the family business in 2022.
A keen golfer, Michael was an early member of Milltown Golf Club. He was also a member of Fitzwilliam Lawn Tennis Club, Royal Irish Yacht Club, RIAC, Irish Georgian Society, National Gallery of Ireland, Institute of Directors in Ireland among others.
We remember Michael fondly as a larger-than-life character, with tremendous energy, a keen eye for a good deal with an avid interest in business. Charismatic, curious, and intelligent, he will be sadly missed by all who knew him.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Gemma Maughan and her daughters Fiona, Maria, Cristiana and Alba at this time of sadness.
In keeping with his wishes, Michael Maughan’s funeral was private.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.