The future is bright for Wexford Chamber and its Members

Former Chamber presidents from the past 40 years along with Caoirthearleach Tony Dempsey, Mayor of Wexford Ger Carthy, Minister Brendan Howlin, Minister Paul Kehoe, Chief Executive of Wexford County Council Tom Enright and Councillors joined over 140 distinguished guests in the Talbot Hotel last Friday afternoon to celebrate Wexford Chamber’s 180th anniversary.

The Chamber was founded in 1835 as a forum for business people to meet and discuss issues of the day, since then Wexford has become one of the most progressive and vibrant Chambers in the country.

The event, which was held in association with Wexford Chamber, Wexford County Council and Datapac saw guests being treated to a mulled wine reception, an exquisite 3 course meal with wine, followed by a champagne toast compliments of the Talbot Hotel.

Opening the event, Madeleiene Quirke, CEO of Wexford Chamber said, “We sometimes need to reflect on what a wonderful place Wexford is and how progressive and forward thinking we are as a county. To have two senior Ministers representing our interests really has made a difference and from a Chamber perspective they are always on hand to attend functions and to listen to the concerns of our Members. To have you both here today is a pleasure.”

The emphasis was on honouring the past, celebrating the present and looking forward to the future. The event marked a double celebration for Wexford Chamber. Our premises in Hill Street, Wexford, has been at the heart of what we do for the past number of years. A lovely old building but not fit for purpose and a building that did not allow us to interact with our Members and allow us to offer them services and facilities which we felt should be theirs for the asking.

After months of renovations and thanks to the amazing support we have received from so many Wexford businesses, Wexford Chamber will now be able to offer the Wexford business community the opportunity to make a conference call, to use a modern training room or meeting room, to use a state of the art ‘hub’ with onsite wifi and printing facilities and to be associated with a Chamber that is taking the business community that extra step into the future. After 180 years of existence in Wexford town, through numerous change and sometimes immense difficulty, the new Wexford Chamber Offices will open its doors this December.

Chamber President Martin Doyle and CEO Madeleine Quirke both acknowledged all those who had gone before, former presidents, and the many unsung supporters of the Chamber whose “achievements have undoubtedly contributed to the strong and vibrant town that Wexford is today”. Presentations were made to the past presidents who were in attendance at the event; Michael Maher, Liam Hipwell, Rita Doyle, Eamonn Murphy, Sean Mythen, David Wagstaff and Madeleine Quirke. Also mentioned were past Presidents David Sinnott, Dick Trappe, Tom Finn, Fleur Creed and the late Mairead Furlong.

Addressing guests, Martin Doyle, President of Wexford Chamber said, “There is no doubt that the future is bright for Wexford Chamber. The success of late is in no small way thanks to the strong engagement and participation levels of you our Members. It is vital that Membership numbers continue to grow and I feel that it is incumbent on all of us to act as Ambassadors for our Chamber and encourage others to join. There is great strength in numbers. Chambers Ireland is a highly respected organisation which gives us a strong national voice. Wexford Chamber, together with the other County Wexford Chambers in New Ross, Enniscorthy and Gorey, is the voice of local business. It is a strong voice and one that our Ministers and our Councillors take seriously.”
“I am proud and delighted to be able to hand over the reins of a Chamber that is strong, financially secure and perfectly placed within a technologically cutting edge premises to significantly advance the cause of business in Wexford”, concluded Martin.

Wexford Chamber 1835 – 2015 Video Creatied by Graphedia
This special 180 year celebratory video reminisces on years gone by and includes a selection of photos of members, past presidents and Chamber staff… so many treasured memories!