Person to Person: Joris Rosmolen loves cars, boats and the outdoors

Tell us about yourself:

My name is Joris Rosmolen, which is a Dutch name.

I’m a husband and father of three, lover of cars, boats and the outdoors.

I came to Ireland 15 years ago after I met my wife Emma-Jane (we met on Christmas Eve in New York but she is much better at telling that story than I am).

My studies and work experience were related to the car industry so when I arrived here, I had to re-invent myself.

I was first involved with a small company in Wicklow that designed chargers for electric cars, and then I took an offer from Apple to work for a team that specialises in loyalty and incentive programmes; something completely different!

A couple of months ago, I met with Jonathan Grey, owner and founder of Ireland’s newest digital gifting experience, OptionsCard.ie.

He was looking for a General Manager and I was ready to be part of a small energetic team where I could be involved in every part of the business.

Even though my wife is from Dublin, our children were all born and raised in Cork. We wouldn’t want to live anywhere else.

Where were you born?

I was born in The Hague in the Netherlands, but I spent most of my life abroad (Ireland, Italy, France, Spain).

Where do you live?

I’ve lived in Cork for 13 years.

Family?

My wife Emma-Jane is from Dublin, but our three kids are true Corkonians.

Best friend?

I met my best mate Simon in Modena, Italy, where he was teaching English to the staff of a company I ran. Ten years later, I moved to Ireland and he moved to Barcelona where he now has his own language school.

Earliest childhood memory?

Taking swimming lessons on holiday in Romania when I was four years old.

Person you most admire?

My wife. I’d go bonkers looking after our kids all day long and on top of that she has to deal with me!

Person who most irritates you?

Anyone who parks where they shouldn’t when they could park correctly less than 50 meters away.

Where was your most memorable holiday?

When I was 14, my mum accidentally put me on a coach to Slovenia for what she thought was a two-week pony camp for kids. 

It turned out to be for adults who wanted to improve their dressage skills. I had never been on a horse before and as there weren’t any kids around, I took myself off on hitch-hike trips to explore nearby towns!

It was a great adventure but, in hindsight, it wasn’t the safest way of travelling.

Favourite TV programme?

Father Ted.

Favourite radio show?

The Last Word with Matt Cooper.

Your signature dish if cooking?

My kids say I make the best pancakes in the world! Having said that, they would eat an old shoe as long as it’s covered in Nutella!

Favourite restaurant?

Da Mirco on Bridge Street. Having lived in Italy for more than a decade, I’m very picky about Italian restaurants, but this one is the real deal!

Last book you read?

Reggie’s Guide To Social Climbing, and Machines Like Me, by Ian McEwan.

Best book you read?

That’s a difficult question! I wish I had kept a list of the books I read. Of Mice And Men by John Steinbeck springs to mind.

Last album/CD/download you bought?

I Feel Alive, by Sonsie. She’s a singer-songwriter from Cork and you can hear this song in the background of the TG4 ‘Always On’ player ad (also, she’s a friend of mine).

Favourite song?

Depends on what I’m in the mood for, but if I had to choose, Come Here my Love (Van Morrisson), Back To Black (Amy Winehouse), God Bless The Child (Billie Holiday) or Death Letter Blues (Son House).

One person you would like to see in concert?

KT Tunstall or the Red Hot Chilli Peppers

Do you have a pet?

No, I don’t.

Morning person or night owl?

I’m a night owl. I love the mornings but only after a good long sleep. However, that doesn’t go well with being a night owl.

Your proudest moment?

No idea. I think I have a lot of smaller proud moments but not one big one like climbing Mount Everest or something like that.

Spendthrift or saver?

I’m somewhere in between. I’m not overly attached to money, but I don’t like wasting it either. From working in the rewards industry, I enjoy helping our customers – whether individuals or companies - to save and gift more efficiently.

Name one thing you would improve in your area in which you live?

I’d love to see more cycle lanes added.

What makes you happy?

A walk on one of Cork’s beautiful beaches.

How would you like to be remembered?

I’d like to be remembered as someone with a good sense of humour.

What else are you up to at the moment?

Other than restoring a classic car, I’m busy as the new General Manager of OptionsCard.ie. We recently celebrated one year in business and now offer our customers more than 60 retail brands to choose from nationwide.

Recently, we have expanded into new industries, welcoming leading gaming companies such as PlayStation to our portfolio.