My name is Darren McEntee, and I’m a web developer and software engineer from Ireland. I’m married to my amazing wife Nicola, and together we have two wonderful kids – our little girl Leah and our wee boy Shéa. They’re the heart of my world and the reason behind everything I do.
I earned my degree, a BEng in Software Engineering, from the Bachelor of Engineering Faculty at Athlone Institute of Technology, now known as Technological University of Shannon, in the Republic of Ireland. Growing up, I was always drawn to building things and solving problems, which naturally led me down the path of technology and development.
Outside of work, I’ve always been passionate about staying active, especially trail running, which has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. Over the years, I’ve completed countless 10-mile and half-marathon races, as well as several triathlons and adventure races. Running isn’t just about fitness for me – it’s my way to recharge, clear my head of code and technical issues, and stay balanced. My crazy English Cocker Spaniel, Buddy, often joins me on those trail runs. He’s full of beans and keeps me on my toes.
The Journey Began
Before WordPress entered my life, I was working mostly with pure HTML. It was a different era of web development – everything was manual, hand-coded, and incredibly time-consuming. Every change meant diving into HTML files, updating content line by line, and hoping you didn’t break something in the process. While I enjoyed the control and precision it offered, I knew there had to be a better way to build and manage websites, especially for clients who needed to update their own content.
I first discovered WordPress around Christmas 2003, not long after it was initially released. At the time, I was looking for a more efficient way to build websites that my clients could actually manage themselves without needing to call me for every little text change. WordPress caught my attention immediately, and I decided to give it a try. What made me stick with WordPress over other platforms that emerged over the years was its open-source nature and how infinitely modular it is. The ability to extend functionality through plugins, customise themes, and build exactly what clients needed – without being locked into proprietary systems – was incredibly appealing. WordPress gave me the freedom to create solutions that were both powerful and flexible.
With over two decades of experience in web development now under my belt, I’ve been working with WordPress ever since those early days – building, customising, and managing client eCommerce projects across a wide range of industries. Alongside my business and agency work, I’ve worked in my software engineering role in Belfast, contributing to various industrial client projects in Ireland and the UK. I’ve had the privilege of working with some major organisations like ESB Group, Bord Gáis Energy, Transport for London, Met Police London, South West Water, and ScottishPower Energy, to name a few. My background combines deep technical expertise with practical, real-world implementation, helping businesses create reliable and scalable results.
Looking back, I can confidently say I love what I do. Every project is an opportunity to learn, grow, innovate, and create something meaningful for the client or a user. When you’re deep in the trenches of a development project, my mindset is simple: just keep iterating, perfecting, and keep going.
The Need for “Activity Log Pro“
Activity Log Pro
I originally built Activity Log Pro as a lightweight tool to track activity events across my own client websites. The need arose from building and managing a specific client project – a high-traffic, multi-user eCommerce site where unexpected changes kept appearing, and no one could pinpoint their source. It was frustrating for everyone involved. Without proper tracking, we were essentially flying blind, trying to piece together what happened, when it happened, and who was responsible.
With my more simplistic, original version of Activity Log Pro in place around 2014, every user action and system action was logged, giving us full visibility into who made changes and when. What started as a simple solution to a real-world problem quickly became an indispensable tool for maintaining accountability and control. My clients really loved it. They finally had transparency and peace of mind knowing they could track everything happening on their sites.
When I decided to take Activity Log Pro public in early 2025, there were already some established players in the market like WP Activity Log and Simple History. However, I noticed a gap. Many of these solutions were either too expensive for small businesses or locked essential features behind premium paywalls. I wanted to create something different – a plugin that offered many advanced features for free, with a minimal cost compared to its competitors for those who needed even more. I use the plugin for my own websites and client sites, so these are features I really wanted myself. That practical, real-world usage drove every decision I made during development.
Over time, I knew it was going in the right direction, so I chose to rewrite it from the ground up. It grew into a powerful, feature-rich solution for monitoring and recording user actions on WordPress Admin. The rewrite was a massive undertaking – essentially like building a new platform from scratch while maintaining all the features from the original plugin. It was a large task, but it was worth it. After refining its performance, tightening its security, and polishing its UI, I decided to release it publicly to help other site owners gain clear visibility and control over their website activity.
This is a solo gig for me. I handle everything from development to support to marketing, which can be challenging at times, but it also gives me complete control over the direction and quality of the product. In my day job, I work closely with my good friend and colleague Mike, who’s an excellent designer and always gives me tips and advice on visual and UX aspects.
Throughout my WordPress journey, I’ve also relied on a good selection of utility plugins to help streamline my workflow. An example would be Perfmatters for speed and performance – it’s an excellent utility plugin to streamline and debloat WordPress sites.
Myself with my Brilliant Team
As I mentioned, Activity Log Pro is primarily a solo venture. While I handle the development and day-to-day operations myself, I couldn’t do it without the support of my wife Nicola and my kids. They’re my real team – the ones who keep me grounded and motivated.
Outside of Activity Log Pro, I’m also a co-founder at Web Watchdog, a web development and security business, alongside my good friend and colleague Mike, who’s an excellent designer. We work together on client projects, helping businesses build secure, performant websites and maintain their digital infrastructure.
My workplace is typically my home office, where I can focus on coding and supporting users. It’s a setup that gives me the flexibility to balance work with family time, which is incredibly important to me. Some of my best coding sessions happen early in the morning or late at night when the house is quiet, and I can really dive deep into complex problems.
Advice for Business Owners
If you’re thinking about starting your own business in the WordPress ecosystem, my advice is simple: solve a real problem that you’ve experienced yourself. Don’t build something just because you think it might sell. Build it because you need it, because your clients need it, and because it genuinely makes life easier. That authenticity will come through in your product and resonate with users.
The rewrite of Activity Log Pro taught me the importance of patience and persistence. There were moments when I questioned whether it was worth the effort, whether I should just stick with the original version. But I knew that to compete and truly help people, I needed to build something better. Just keep iterating, perfecting, and keep going.
I’ve been following Jack Friks from afar, and his “keep going” attitude has really resonated with me. He has a few products and a social media marketing SaaS tool called Post Bridge, and watching his journey has been inspiring. That same “keep going” attitude has been instilled in me from a really early age. Be it in work, football, GAA, running, or coding – it doesn’t matter what you’re doing – always show up, and always keep going. That mindset has carried me through every challenge I’ve faced, whether it’s debugging a complex issue at 2AM or pushing through the final miles on a distance run.
As for which niche to focus on – whether it’s agency work, blogging, hosting, development, plugins, or themes – I’d say focus on what you’re genuinely passionate about and where you have real expertise. For me, it was plugins because of my development background, and I was building custom solutions for clients anyway. It made sense to package that knowledge and experience into something others could use. Don’t chase trends or try to copy what others are doing. Find your unique angle and own it.
Stay in Touch
WordPress & Beyond
My plans to grow Activity Log Pro are focused on continually improving the product based on user feedback and staying ahead of WordPress updates and security best practices. I want to keep adding features that genuinely matter to users – not just bloat for the sake of having more features. Quality over quantity is my mantra.
Looking ahead, I see WordPress remaining a dominant force in the CMS space for many years to come. The community is strong, the ecosystem is vibrant, and the flexibility WordPress offers is unmatched. However, I do think WordPress needs to continue evolving, especially in terms of performance and modern development practices. The introduction of the block editor was a big step, and I’m curious to see how that continues to develop.
Artificial intelligence is another area that’s going to shape the future of WordPress in a big way. We’re already seeing early integrations for content generation, SEO optimisation, and user personalisation – but that’s just the beginning. As AI tools become more accessible, I think we’ll see WordPress developers using them to streamline workflows, improve site performance, and even assist with coding and debugging. It’ll be fascinating to watch how AI evolves within our ecosystem and how it empowers both developers and everyday site owners.
As for threats from competitors, there’s always competition, whether it’s from newer platforms or page builders that try to simplify things even further. But WordPress has something those platforms don’t – a massive, passionate community and decades of proven reliability. As long as WordPress continues to innovate while staying true to its open-source roots, I think it will thrive.
My Love for the WordPress Community
Unfortunately, I haven’t been lucky enough to attend WordCamps or WordPress meetups yet, but it’s definitely something I’d love to do in the near future. I’ve heard amazing things about the community spirit at these events, and I know how valuable they are for networking, learning, and giving back. It’s on my list.
Within the WordPress community, I work closely with my good friend and colleague Mike at Web Watchdog, our web development and security business. He’s been a great collaborator and someone I can bounce ideas off. I’m also a big fan of Davinder from TheWPweekly.com and Ryan Logan from InfluenceWP.com. Their content keeps me informed and inspired, and I really appreciate the work they do to keep the community connected and educated.
If I had to pick someone whose success story I’d want to read on WPFounders, it would probably be someone who’s been quietly building in the background – someone who’s created something genuinely useful without all the hype and noise. Those are the stories that resonate most with me.
How I Keep Myself Updated
Staying updated in the WordPress ecosystem is crucial, and I rely on a few key resources to keep my finger on the pulse. As I mentioned, I’m a big fan of Davinder from TheWPweekly.com – his weekly roundups are fantastic for staying current. I also follow Ryan Logan from InfluenceWP.com, who provides great insights into the business side of WordPress.
Beyond those, I’m constantly reading the official WordPress development blog, following GitHub repositories for plugins I use or admire, and participating in online communities where developers share their experiences and solutions. I also make it a point to experiment with new tools and plugins myself – there’s no better way to understand what’s working and what’s not than getting your hands dirty.
I Have a Life Other Than Work
When I’m not working on Activity Log Pro or client projects, I’m usually spending time with my family. My wife Nicola and our two kids, Leah and Shéa, are my world. We love just being together, whether that’s at home, going for walks, or exploring the beautiful Irish countryside.
Trail running remains a huge part of my life. It’s my time to disconnect from screens, clear my head, and just be present in nature. Buddy, my English Cocker Spaniel, is always eager to join me on those runs. He’s a bundle of energy and keeps things interesting on the trails.
During holidays like Christmas and New Year, we have big family gatherings with relatives coming from all corners of Ireland. It’s chaotic, loud, and absolutely wonderful. Those moments with extended family remind me of what’s truly important.
One of the most memorable experiences of my life was a 12-month, 360-degree global trek I did back in 2008. I travelled from Ireland to mainland Europe, to South America, the US, Japan, and Southeast Asia, to name just a few stops. I saved up for two years to make it happen, and it was absolutely worth every penny. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that opened my eyes to the world, exposed me to new cultures, and introduced me to amazing people. Japan, in particular, left a lasting impression on me – the people there are incredible. It’s something I’d encourage most people to strive to do. Travel changes you in ways you can’t fully anticipate.
As for favourite travel destinations, Ireland itself has so much to offer. The countryside here is stunning, and there’s always something new to discover. But I’d also love to return to Japan someday, maybe with my family this time.
I Reward Myself by
For me, rewards aren’t about buying things or treating myself to luxuries. My biggest reward is spending as much time as I can with my young kids. Everything I do is for them and my wife. Watching Leah and Shéa grow, being there for their milestones, running around with them and Buddy – that’s what makes all the hard work worthwhile.
When I do hit a significant milestone with Activity Log Pro, I might celebrate with a family day out or a nice meal together, but it’s really about the time and presence rather than any material reward. That’s what matters most to me.
Connect With Me
If you’d like to connect or follow along with what I’m working on, you can find me on X (Twitter) and for Activity Log Pro updates at X (Twitter) I’m also on Bluesky
If you’re interested in the technical side of things, you can check out my GitHub You can also learn more about my web development and security work at Web Watchdog
I’m always happy to chat with fellow WordPress enthusiasts, answer questions about Activity Log Pro, or just connect with others in the community. Thanks for taking the time to read my story.
I hope it’s been helpful or (maybe) inspiring in some way. If you’re building something in the WordPress space, remember: show up and keep going – the community needs more people who genuinely care about solving real problems.
Thanks again.
Darren.
