IRISH ICE CREAM brand Murphy’s managed to scoop up over €210,000 in post-tax profits last year, largely driven by the retailer’s expansion to China.

An abridged version of the accounts show that Murphy’s Ice Cream enjoyed a bumper 2024, with profits increasing 179%. Sales of the firm’s famed signature flavours, such as Brown Bread and Dingle Sea Salt, helped the company to reach around €4m in revenue.

Co-founder and CEO of Murphy’s Ice Cream, Sean Murphy, has said that the performance of the company’s expansion into China is included in the report, which shows they reached €213,608 in profit.

Murphy’s Ice Cream now has three outlets, through one franchiser, in Dalian, China, he said. The city has a population of over 6 million. 

The independent retailer, established in 2000, has six outlets here, two in Dingle and one in Killarney, Galway, Cork and Dublin. Murphy said that at the high summer season, the business can employ up to 120.

Murphy, an American, said the company expects to make a decision shortly on whether to expand the brand into the US. The firm is currently assessing if stores there would be owner-operator or a franchised operation.

He added: “We are very careful about what our next move will be and we are looking at the US intensely at the moment.”

Murphy said he expects a further incremental increase in revenues in 2025. The firm also sells pre-packaged ice cream tubs in 50 locations in Leinster.