From Carrigaline To Olympic Champions: How Queen B Athletics Became One Of Ireland’s Best Known Female Sportswear Brands

What started as a frustration with sportswear that wasn’t designed for women has grown into a business that now sponsors Cork Camogie, Dublin Camogie and Hockey Ireland.

Founded by sisters Bríd Ryan and Aedin Corbyn, Queen B Athletics was born from Bríd’s own experiences as a rower.

“My rowing kit was not designed for women,” she says.

“Within the sportswear industry at the time there was a phrase ‘shrink it and pink it’, which as the phrase suggests, it was common practice to take men’s gear, make it smaller and throw some colour on it. I felt that had to change and our efforts grew into something so positive, Queen B.”

For Bríd and Aedin, creating a sportswear brand for women felt like the natural thing to do.

“It honestly never occurred to either of us to do otherwise,” says Bríd.

“It seemed like the obvious thing was to design for ourselves and use our own bodies as templates and testers for designs.”

The sisters spent countless hours refining products and working directly with factories to improve designs.

Looking back, Bríd says many people questioned whether there was even a market for a women’s-only sportswear brand.

“In the beginning it was tough though. Inside our little bubble we felt we were onto something but wander outside that and so many people told us there was no market for women-only sportswear and there was certainly no market for Irish women-only sportswear.”

“We clearly disagreed but there were times we did question our sanity.”

One of the first milestones that made Bríd realise the business was gaining traction was surprisingly simple.

“Our first big goal was seeing someone we were not directly related to or close friends with wearing our kit and when that happened we almost lost our minds.”

Like many businesses, the early days were challenging financially.

“That’s easy, money!” she says when asked about the biggest challenges.

“We were self-funded and every penny we had went into the products.”

“It was definitely a challenge but we were under no illusions going into it that the path we took gave us all the control but equally all the financial risk.”

Today, Queen B sponsors Cork Camogie, Dublin Camogie and Hockey Ireland, something Bríd says still feels overwhelming.

“It is overwhelming. We are so unbelievably proud.”

“It makes us emotional, it is such a big deal for us. I don’t think we ever dared to dream we would be in this position and we are exceptionally grateful to have such incredible partners and be aligned with such talent.”

One of the most rewarding parts of the journey has been the access the business has given them to the world of sport.

“We have had the privilege of getting a window into what happens behind the scenes in elite sport and seeing athletes grow from little girls to Olympic champions.”

Bríd says a love of sport has always been at the heart of Queen B.

“We are huge sports fans and have always been curious to know more about our heroes of sport.”

“We also know the complete dedication that goes on behind the scenes to get anywhere in sport. And that’s worth shouting about.”

When Queen B launched, she says there was far less attention given to women’s sport than there is today.

“When we started, very few people were shouting about women’s sports and we just were not having it.”

One moment that particularly stood out for Bríd came when other businesses began introducing products similar to those that Queen B had pioneered.

“When people started to copy us.”

“I know it sounds odd but we had been told so many times our idea was rubbish and no one would ever go for it that when other people started to add sports bras to their collections or new businesses started to pop up, at long last, we knew we had always been on to something.”

“It was very vindicating and deeply satisfying.”

While many people see the finished product online, Bríd says the reality of running a business is far from glamorous.

“It is a lot of hard work and it is relentless.”

“We have answered emails on Christmas Day. We are never 100% off the clock.”

“There is absolutely nothing glamorous about a stock take or a VAT return.”

Like many business owners, she admits there have been moments of doubt.

“Of course.”

“It can be very lonely, you’re working on weekends when everyone else is off, you don’t get sick days or holiday pay.”

At the same time, she believes questioning yourself can be healthy.

“I think doubting yourself is part of the process and if we turn that idea around slightly, questioning yourself and your decisions can be a really good thing.”

Social media has played an important role in Queen B’s growth over the years.

“We put all our money into the product, we had absolutely nothing left for advertising so Instagram has been vital for us.”

But Bríd believes building relationships with customers matters just as much.

“Get into those DMs and actually chat to the people who take the time to connect with you.”

“If you commit to building an online community you need to commit the time and energy too.”

The support of women has also been central to the company’s success.

When asked whether women supporting women has been her experience in business, Bríd’s answer is immediate.

“Yes. Absolutely.”

“Women keep us in business. Without women we wouldn’t be here.”

Despite the company’s growth, its roots remain firmly in Cork.

“We are a Cork business first, an Irish business second and a Carrigaline business by the grace of God.”

Bríd says Carrigaline regularly features across the company’s social media channels.

“You won’t go a week on our socials without something to do with being down the village or a photo of Fountainstown at sunset.”

For international followers, she believes it offers a glimpse into the county they are proud to call home.

As for the future, the focus remains straightforward.

“Our goal is longevity through quality products and superb customer service.”

And when asked about the proudest moment of her career so far, Bríd’s answer comes back to family.

“I am so proud we are still here, still doing what we love and being able to do it with my sister.”

From an idea sparked by frustration with women’s sportswear to a business that now sponsors some of Ireland’s leading sporting organisations, Queen B Athletics has remained true to the vision that started it all, creating products for women while celebrating women’s sport from its home in Carrigaline.