Castleisland Chamber Alliance 2018 review

Castleisland Chamber Alliance is one of the youngest in the county having been formed in 2015. Since then it has worked both tirelessly and efficiently to sell a positive message on Castleisland. This effort aims to promote not only the town’s economic potential, but equally its many social and recreational positives. Patricia Walsh is the current Chairperson of Castleisland Chamber Alliance and she is confident and ambitious for the prosperity of the town’s future given the huge effort by everyone associated with Castleisland Chamber Alliance. Below, Patricia recaps on the work and progress of 2018.

IN the first half of the year we facilitated various speakers and workshops such as the GDPR information meetings for businesses and voluntary organisations. In association with LEO, we facilitated a Trading Online Voucher seminar in the River Island Hotel, the purpose of which was to encourage businesses with 10 employees or less to get on line, or indeed improve their online presence, with the aid of a grant available from LEO. Together with Bank of Ireland we ran a tourism and retail information evening entitled: ‘Shaping your Business in to the Future’. We had guest speakers from the hospitality sector, John Brennan, MD Park Hotel Kenmare and Conor Henigan M.D. Henigan Hospitality Services. From the retail sector Ciara Keelin Retail Vision Consultant and Castleisland’s own James Kelliher Chartered Accountant. Such was the calibre of facilitators and speakers at these events that they were all extremely well attended by people from all over the county, not just Castleisland.

July saw the launch of our Health Check, which is a plan for shaping Castleisland in the years ahead. It highlights the strengths and weaknesses of our town and we are currently working on implementing some solutions that have been suggested. In July we also launched the website for the town www.castleisland.ie

In September Castleisland Chamber Alliance ran an economic forum where we reached out to successful business people and entrepreneurs from our diaspora. The speakers gave us an overview of where each of them are in their own profession, but also their vision for Castleisland in the future. The event was moderated by Miriam O’Callaghan and attended by up to 300 delegates. It was great to network with those that have left the area but still call Castleisland their home. Their pride and passion for Castleisland was palpable. Castleisland Chamber Alliance are delighted to have their support and input going forward.

In October Castleisland was one of 90 towns nationwide to be shortlisted for the 2018 Bank of Ireland Enterprise Town Competition. The aim of the competition is to promote enterprise by bringing business and community groups together, to showcase the spirit of enterprise in their local area. This was a very enjoyable project to work on. It was extremely uplifting to witness such positivity from everyone on judging day. It was clear the judges were impressed and our community enjoyed presenting on the day. It would be fantastic if Castleisland were to be recognised nationally for the community spirit that is evident in our town every day of the year (the awards night is November 28 in Kilkenny).