
Cork Chamber is named Chamber of the Year
Cork Chamber has been named Chamber of the Year for its high level of activity, innovative ideas, and positive engagement with members and the local community.
The awards, hosted by Chambers Ireland and sponsored by Zurich, recognise the outstanding work of chambers of commerce throughout the country in supporting local, regional and national business.
President of Chambers Ireland, Margaret Considine, said the award for Cork is a testament to the scale of work being undertaken by the Chamber. "It reflects the huge amount of talent and dedication within the Chamber and underlines how impressively they have managed and adapted their activity to meet the needs of their members."
"What truly impressed our judges was how much Cork Chamber engaged with its members. This is a group of strong communicators, relationship builders and people who care deeply about the businesses of Cork. The Chamber produced a series of excellent events, projects and lobbying campaigns which undoubtedly contributed positively to the city and surrounding region."
Rob Horgan, President of Cork Chamber, welcomed the honour. "Cork is on a powerful trajectory. With transformative transport projects underway and an increasingly dynamic business ecosystem, our city and county are embracing a period of progress and promise. We believe in the strength of every region, and the value each brings to our national success. Smart, innovative thinking is essential to ensuring that Cork and Ireland remain competitive and attractive for both indigenous enterprise and foreign direct investment.'
Conor Healy, CEO of Cork Chamber, said the recognition is grounded in the work, insight and passion of our members. "Everything we do is informed by their experience, shaped by their ideas and inspired by their commitment to Cork's future."
"We are also deeply proud of our dedicated Chamber team, whose professionalism and energy bring our vision to life every day. This award is a reflection of their unwavering commitment to delivering real impact for our members and the wider region."

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Irish Examiner
a day ago
- Irish Examiner
Cork Chamber is named Chamber of the Year
Cork Chamber has been named Chamber of the Year for its high level of activity, innovative ideas, and positive engagement with members and the local community. The awards, hosted by Chambers Ireland and sponsored by Zurich, recognise the outstanding work of chambers of commerce throughout the country in supporting local, regional and national business. President of Chambers Ireland, Margaret Considine, said the award for Cork is a testament to the scale of work being undertaken by the Chamber. "It reflects the huge amount of talent and dedication within the Chamber and underlines how impressively they have managed and adapted their activity to meet the needs of their members." "What truly impressed our judges was how much Cork Chamber engaged with its members. This is a group of strong communicators, relationship builders and people who care deeply about the businesses of Cork. The Chamber produced a series of excellent events, projects and lobbying campaigns which undoubtedly contributed positively to the city and surrounding region." Rob Horgan, President of Cork Chamber, welcomed the honour. "Cork is on a powerful trajectory. With transformative transport projects underway and an increasingly dynamic business ecosystem, our city and county are embracing a period of progress and promise. We believe in the strength of every region, and the value each brings to our national success. Smart, innovative thinking is essential to ensuring that Cork and Ireland remain competitive and attractive for both indigenous enterprise and foreign direct investment.' Conor Healy, CEO of Cork Chamber, said the recognition is grounded in the work, insight and passion of our members. "Everything we do is informed by their experience, shaped by their ideas and inspired by their commitment to Cork's future." "We are also deeply proud of our dedicated Chamber team, whose professionalism and energy bring our vision to life every day. This award is a reflection of their unwavering commitment to delivering real impact for our members and the wider region."


RTÉ News
2 days ago
- RTÉ News
North west businesses call for full N17 upgrade
Sligo Chamber of Commerce has called on the Government to scrap a plan to redevelop some sections of the N17 and to commit to a full redevelopment of the route between Knock and Collooney, describing it as "unsafe and unfit for purpose". The Chamber, representing more than 200 businesses in the north west, wants the Government to "commit to a previous promise to transform the entire 40km stretch of road from Collooney to Ireland West Airport Knock into a modern, safe, dual carriageway". The call is backed by the Managing Director of Ireland West Airport Knock, Joe Gilmore, and other regional businesses, who have urged the Government to revisit plans for a full redevelopment of the road. The N17 is the primary road connecting the west and north west regions. It forms part of the Atlantic Economic Corridor connecting Cork, Limerick, Galway and Derry. Sligo Chamber of Commerce said a provision for the full redevelopment of the N17 from Collooney to Ireland West Airport was established in the National Planning Framework in 2018. However, it said a ministerial condition issued two years ago has limited the planned works to the construction of bypasses of Tubbercurry and Charlestown. The Chamber's CEO, Aidan Doyle, believes the ministerial condition is an "arbitrary" measure and must be scrapped in favour of full redevelopment. Mr Doyle says the existing road connecting Ireland West Airport Knock and Collooney is unsafe and unfit for purpose. The Chamber's call is backed by the Managing Director of Ireland West Airport Knock, Joe Gilmore, who said the existing N17 is a barrier to regional growth. Mr Gilmore said the delivery of a dual carriageway from Ireland West Airport Knock between Collooney and Tuam will be necessary to fulfil the region's economic potential and to address regional imbalance in the national economy. "Daily hazard to public safety" A previous TII report found the Knock to Collooney route has a collision rating twice the national average and traffic volumes exceed efficient operating capacity. CEO of Sligo Travel, Dáithí Feehily, said his company's vehicles have sustained damage from passing HGVs and public transport because of the road's narrowness at certain locations. Mr Feehily said that while this damage has so far been limited to broken wing mirrors and glazing, its effect on business is not insignificant. "We have considerable concerns for the safety of drivers and passengers on the N17 and fear that there could be much more serious consequences from these incidents if the road is not redeveloped in the future," Mr Feehily said. Ann Butler of Higgins Pharmacy in Sligo, who lives along the N17, has criticised the Government's failure to commit to the full redevelopment of the route. "The N17 between Ireland West Airport Knock and Collooney is not just a bottleneck to economic growth – it's a daily hazard to public safety," she said. Ms Butler said the Government's "failure to deliver on its commitment to fully redevelop this vital route endangers lives and deepens regional inequality". "We call for immediate investment to transform the N17 into a safe, modern dual carriageway that supports both prosperity and protection for the north west," she added. A spokesperson for the Department of Transport said the N17 Knock to Collooney project is listed for progression in the current National Development Plan. The spokesperson said the Government is "committed to the development of this project, as demonstrated by the allocation of €1 million to progress it in 2025". The Route Selection phase was completed last year. The project is now in the Design and Environmental Phase. This phase, which is expected to conclude late next year or in early 2027, includes detailed road design, necessary surveys, geotechnical investigations, and preparations related to the submission of a planning application. Upon the conclusion of this phase, a preliminary business case will be submitted to the Department of Transport ahead of a Government decision on approval-in-principle, as is required under the Infrastructure Guidelines. The Minister for Transport, Darragh O'Brien, told RTÉ News that it is anticipated the project could go to construction around the end of this decade, subject to the necessary approvals and completion of the planning process. Minister O'Brien said he is fully aware of the importance of the project in supporting "a vital regional link," which connects Sligo to Ireland West Airport Knock. N17 being examined as part of NDP review The department spokesperson told RTÉ News that elements of the overall project would provide bypasses of Charlestown and Tubbercurry and are "of particular importance, given the need to reduce congestion and improve safety in both towns". The spokesperson said that while minister's allocations letter of 2024 focused on the progression of these [Charlestown and Tubbercurry] bypasses, it was important to point out that as part of the ongoing review of the National Development Plan, a wide range of projects are being examined, including Knock to Collooney. Minister O'Brien said the Programme for Government commitment to increased funding for new roads as part of the NDP review should "greatly assist in the delivery of projects such as the N17 Knock to Collooney Project."


Irish Examiner
28-05-2025
- Irish Examiner
Entries open for this year's Cork Digital Marketing Awards
The Cork Digital Marketing Awards is set to return once again this year to celebrate the digital excellence driving business growth and brand visibility across the region. Officially launched by Cork Chamber on Wednesday, the awards honour the talent, innovation and strategy that have supported Cork's digital marketing landscape. Open to businesses of all sizes and sectors, the awards span 17 diverse categories, including Best in Content Creation, Best Website and platform-specific awards for social media excellence. 'Digital transformation continues to reshape how businesses connect with their audiences and Cork companies are at the forefront of that shift," said Rob Horgan, president of Cork Chamber. "From solo innovators to large-scale teams, the level of talent and strategic thinking we see in the Cork region is truly exceptional. These awards are about recognising that success and championing those who are pushing boundaries.' Annie FitzGibbon, director of member services at Cork Chamber, added: 'Each year, the Cork Digital Marketing Awards evolve to reflect the platforms, tools and strategies that are shaping the future of business. "The categories highlight the important role digital plays not just in marketing, but in driving business growth and community impact across Cork.' The Irish Examiner returns as Media Partner for 2025, offering the winner of the prestigious Digital Marketing Legend award a Content Studio Package to elevate their brand story across the Irish Examiner's digital channels. The awards will also be celebrated in partnership with the Marketing Institute Ireland, Cork. Sandra Carey, Senior Marketing Executive at Irish Examiner and The Echo, said: 'We are proud to support the Cork Digital Marketing Awards and the brilliant work happening across the region. These awards showcase not only marketing excellence but also the deep creativity and results-driven thinking behind successful campaigns. "Through the Content Studio collaboration, we look forward to amplifying the story of this year's Digital Marketing Legend and helping them reach new audiences through our platforms.' The Cork Digital Marketing Awards 2025 are now open for entries, with the awards ceremony scheduled for Friday, October 10, 2025. Businesses, organisations and individuals across the Cork region are encouraged to submit their work, with the closing date for entries being Wednesday, July 9.