Safety systems firm lights way at home and abroad Exports make up large part of €10m annual turnover

Brendan Walsh of Ventilux emergency lighting Picture: Fergal Phillips

The fatal fire that claimed 48 lives at the Stardust nightclub in Dublin in 1981 brought about legislative change that enabled Ventilux, the Wicklow-based emergency lighting company, reopen and grow under new ownership in the years that followed.

“After Stardust, much stronger legislation was brought in, not just here, but throughout Europe and exports grew,” said Brendan Walsh, managing director at Ventilux.

Walsh took over the company in 1985 following its closure a ...