Who we are
As “the world’s best loved transformational diary” these unique Get Up and Go publications represent a philosophy that works!
The diary “that inspires and motivates” is jam packed with quotes and messages to inspire and motivate you, the reader, to ‘get up and go’ in life.
Reflecting on words of encouragement, acceptance, kindness, generosity, compassion, forgiveness and love, and choosing to act accordingly – we can each alter the course of our day.
Words are powerful tools and can be used to achieve the results that hopefully we all want to see in the world.
We recommend using these diaries as a your own ‘personal empowerment tool’, to inspire you to design and create your ideal days, weeks, months and years of your life.
We say Forgive the past – let it go; This is one of the most impactful things you can do in your life. Do not dwell in the regrets or resentments of the past. Do not let the past stop you from being who you want to be, and can be, now.
We say Live the present – The Power of Now. There is only now. This is where your power is, in the present moment. What you do now is what matters.
We say Create the future – Thoughts become Things. Thoughts really do become things, when you speak them and act on them. Use your thoughts, and words, to inspire, motivate and empower yourself, and others, to take the actions to design and build the life of your dreams.
Meet the Leadership Team
Brendan Sands
Co-Owner Director of SalesBrendan Sands, from Newry, Co. Down, worked in the Construction Industry for 30 years until he joined Get Up and Go Publications Ltd in 2008. As a father and grandfather, Brendan’s passions are health, well-being and fun. Brendan has a constant reminder of the value of good health, being personally acquainted with the challenges of chronic illness in his own family. Brendan lives the philosophy of Get Up and Go every day, he is a keen cyclist and hill-walker, and loves to eat the garden produce he grows himself. Brendan really enjoys one-on-one conversations with his many customers throughout Ireland and is committed to excellent customer service.
Catriona McGloin
Managing DirectorOriginally from Kinlough, Co Leitrim. Catriona worked with the Children’s Medical & Research Foundation at Crumlin Children’s Hospital in various roles including Finance Manager and Community Fundraising Manager until 2013. In 2014 she returned to the North West and joined Get Up and Go Publications Ltd in July 2016. Catriona gets to combine her love for people and making a difference in the world. She loves the positive and uplifting messages in The Get Up and Go range of diaries and journals. Catriona lives near Carrick-on-Shannon, Co Leitrim with her 2 dogs Millie and Blondie.
The Story Behind the Success of Get Up and Go Publications
The Irish Get Up and Go Diary began life as The Irish Survivors Diary in 2001, by Glenda Devlin who came to Ireland from South Africa in 1999 to start a new life with her husband Tommy. Unfortunately, Tommy was diagnosed with a serious illness which led to his untimely death in 2004. During Tommy’s illness, Glenda had created The Irish Survivors Diary, to help her, and others, deal with the unexpected challenges of life, the fundamental message being “It is not our circumstances that define us, but our attitude to those circumstances”.
In 2006, Eileen Forrestal, who had used the Irish Survivors Diary herself at a challenging time in her own life, was fundraising for a small NGO school for poor and orphan children in Cambodia. She approached Glenda for a donation. Instantly recognising each other’s commitment to empowering people, and to ensure the survival of the diary, they embarked on a business partnership to revive the ailing business.
The name was changed to ‘The Irish Get Up and Go Diary’ to reflect more accurately the new positive energy in the publication. The Diary’s transformation to the unique, beautiful, and colourful diary, now so loved by so many, had begun. Brendan joined the company in 2008 bringing even more energy and enthusiasm.
Embracing the digital age, Get Up and Go Publications Ltd now supply inspirational Diaries, Journals and Planners far beyond Ireland’s shores and retail outlets. With an ever-expanding range of products – both physical and digital – serving the Irish Diaspora, Busy Women, Young People, School Students, Entrepreneurs, and visionary Leaders, through their on-line shop, they send the gift of ‘inspiration, encouragement, wellbeing and happiness’ to the four corners of the world!’
While Glenda departed the company in 2016, and Eileen Forrestal, still a shareholder stepped aside in 2023 to pursue her coaching business, Brendan, was joined by two new directors Catriona McGloin and Gerry Kelly. Gerry Kelly departed the company in 2024. Along with Brendan and Catriona and the rest of The Get Up and Go Team continue to be committed to continuing the legacy – providing excellent customer experience and producing excellent quality products that make a positive difference in people’s lives. Having sold almost 500,000 copies to date is testament to the popularity of the products.
We continue to seek out partnerships and collaborations with ‘get up and go’ people in the world of education, entrepreneurship and health and wellbeing, to empower a growing ‘get up and go’ community that is inspired, motivated, and empowered to find solutions for the worlds’ most pressing problems.
Partnerships and Collaborations
We like to engage with visionaries who are actively involved in areas of education, wellbeing, the environment, and entrepreneurship. Our intention is to inspire and empower those seeking solutions for the world’s most pressing problems through communication, connection, collaboration, and contribution.
