James O’Connor, the Founder of Green Acres, comes from a long line of business people who were an integral part of the Wexford community. Over the generations, the O’Connor family included solicitors, bakers, builders, and merchants.

Dating from 1860, James is the sixth generation of his family to carry on business in the town. It started with M J O’Connor his Great, Great Grandfather, who set up Frank O’Connor & Co Ltd at 54 North Main Street Wexford, trading as Bakers, Grocers, and Confectioners.

James commenced his commercial life in the fruit and vegetable business traveling to and from Dublin. He started by taking Wexford produce to be sold in the Dublin markets and returning with produce not readily available, to supply to the shops and restaurants of Wexford. This is where the “every visit is a discovery” belief was rooted.

Building on this theme, Green Acres evolved over time into a fresh food hall and delicatessen with the later addition of a Wine Merchants, an Art Gallery, and a small restaurant. It was in the flat over the shop that James started married life with Paula, his wife. Paula and James received an added incentive to make Green Acres the successful business it is today, by producing triplets, James, Patrick and Louise in 1994. Who knows – perhaps we are witnessing the seventh generation of the family business.

This sense of discovery has enabled James, Paula, and the team to grow in scope and reputation becoming renowned well beyond the shores of Ireland for its world class cellar of fine French wine, its eclectic “foody’ shop and its gallery featuring some of the best Irish contemporary artists.