Faciem Metus founders and brothers Cian and Ryan Monaghan sat down with the Galway Advertiser ahead of the brand's much-anticipated 'Blackout Collection' which drops this week on November 7. They talked everything from building a business around the kitchen table, not being afraid of failure, and how a collaboration with Galway footballer Shane Walsh will drive their ambition to become a GAA activewear staple in years to come.
Both Cian (25 ) and Ryan (24 ) are Financial Maths and Economics graduates from the University of Galway, and Cian was planning on going into a Masters programme. Those plans were shelved and the brothers are "all in" on the growth of their activewear brand. The company was launched in January of this year, and has only gone from strength to strength.
"This time last year, Ryan said to me 'do you want to start a business?', and I said 'sure, that sounds like good craic'," beams his brother Cian.
The two Galway lads feel they have pinpointed a gap in the market.
"In the GAA, you have the gear that you wear to the games, but you have nothing to wear away from the games.
"But we're not crossing off other athletes as well. We're also looking at endurance athletes, like Hyrox," explains Ryan.
We want to make gear that serves all purposes - clothes you can wear to a gym session or if you're just chilling out on Sunday," Cian adds.
Faciem Metus' story is rooted in sport, discipline, and building mental resilience - a message that resonates far beyond the pitch.
"Every footballer, athlete, or person feels that doubt the night before or day of a big event. How do you alleviate that? Because of the work you have put in over the last two to three months, you know you are ready to go," Cian says.
Both Ryan and Cian are members of the Oughterard senior football team, help with underage coaching, and were prominent players on the U20 All-Ireland-winning Galway football team in 2020. They were both starters in the Tribesmen's 1-11 to 0-13 victory over the Dubs at Croke Park. These are two guys with skin in the game and are aware of what GAA players need to feel comfortable and maximise their potential.
"We have been there before being GAA players ourselves. We have had those feelings going into games. We want to create a brand that inspires people and create a culture where we help athletes silence the doubt of underperforming through hard work and discipline," states Ryan.
Faciem Metus recently announced the signing of Galway forward Shane Walsh as the brand's first sponsored athlete.
"Shane is a legend and he's delighted to come on board. He loves the clothes and the message that the brand stands for," the lads explain.
"We have ambitions to build a Faciem Metus team, where we get top athletes around Ireland, and create that culture around the brand," asserts Ryan.
The Blackout Collection
The brand's latest drop is coming this Friday. Performance is at the forefront of the collection, with Cian and Ryan trialling numerous performance-based fabrics to target quick-drying and lightweight comfort for athletes.
"Our summer collection was very athleisure. But this collection is very performance based. All the fabric and material composition has been made so that when you sweat, it is quick drying. We have used a lot more lightweight material like Nylon and Polyester, whereas before for the summer collection we used cotton to gear towards comfort.
"The shorts are designed with a back zip pocket so you can bring your phone with you on a run. So, it's details like that where you can see our main focus is on the performance aspect," the two brothers explain.
Trial and error, not being afraid of failure, and having the courage to reach out to others in the industry are Ryan and Cian's keys to their success in the first year of Faciem Metus. That, and the unwavering support of their parents has been imperative the two brothers reveal.
"We've never done anything in our lives like this. We wake up every single morning and love what we do," the pair finish each other's sentence.
"There is a mistake everyday. But the brilliant and important thing is that you learn from them. That is the key," Ryan says.
"We are super lucky that we have our parents support," explains Cian.
"We make mistakes and Mam steers us on the right path. Dad has been involved in business before but he's not holding our hand, he's throwing us to the wolves and if we get stuck he will help us out. It's exactly what we want. We don't want our hand held because we want to learn," the lads explain.
Cian and Ryan believe that to run a business you have to be like a sponge, absorbing all the information and knowledge coming at you.
"The biggest lesson we have learned is listening to people who know more than you," reveals Cian.
"Some business owners have been so kind with their free time and we learn so much from them. They say 'we remember when we were where you are'."
"You have to put yourself out there and not be afraid. You cannot be disheartened if somebody says 'no'. You have to keep trying."
The Blackout Collection release marks the end of a first year in business of learnings, pride and success. With rumours of a signature collection drop coming in the new year, keep your eyes peeled for Faciem Metus to take over in 2026.
For more information on Faciem Metus and to shop the drop, you can go to www.faciemmetus.com or you can check them out on all social media platforms.
