Barrow Training’s Norah Ryan elected as new president of Carlow chamber

NORAH RYAN, managing director of Barrow Training and Consultancy, has become the 40th president of County Carlow Chamber of Commerce. Norah was elected at the chamber’s recent AGM in the Woodford Dolmen Hotel. She takes over the role from Michael Quinn of Robert Quinn Ltd, who will remain on as vice-president.

“I am honoured to take on this key role within the chamber, an organisation I am passionate about. County Carlow Chamber of Commerce is the voice of the business community and I feel privileged to be leading this organisation for the coming two years as we head towards our 80th anniversary,” said Norah.

Norah revealed that County Carlow Chamber of Commerce was founded on 6 June 1947 – 78 years to the day from the AGM. She said that over that time it has evolved to 220-plus members, and growing, from throughout the county, representing every size and type of business.

“I would like to commend my predecessor Michael Quinn on his dedication and drive in the role as president and for his sterling work in growing the chamber, broadening the membership base and further developing key collaborations. I would also like to recognise the support and dedication of the wider board of directors – all of whom give so generously of their time and expertise,” said Norah.

County Carlow Chamber works closely with a wide variety of key stakeholders in order to drive development throughout the county, including local, national and European public representatives, Carlow County Council, the Local Enterprise Office, Carlow Tourism, SETU, Carlow Kilkenny Skillnet, Chambers Ireland, the IDA and Waterways Ireland, to mention but a few.

“As president, I plan to build on the work of my predecessors, increasing the focus on the positive developments that are taking place throughout the county, rallying for the needs of our members – the businesses that are the lifeblood of the local community – and on ambitiously driving forward the strategy of County Carlow Chamber of Commerce,” she said.

“We are a business community that is resilient, quietly ambitious and clearly high achieving. Carlow businesses often under-promise and over-deliver; I’m keen to shine a light on the successes, the milestones and the achievements of our members. I’m determined to ensure that this understated excellence does not go unnoticed and that we celebrate every win and take pride in our small but mighty county,” said Norah.

County Carlow Chamber of Commerce offers a wide variety of supports and services to members, including lobbying, business advice, export advice and certification, training and information events, networking events and more.

Some upcoming events include: retail apprenticeship information evening, 17 June; Chamber Golf Classic, 18 June; the Powerhouse Innovation summit in collaboration with the Local Enterprise Office, SETU, Carlow Kilkenny Skillnet and Carlow Library Services on 19 June; chamber summer barbecue in July (date and location to be confirmed); and the Carlow Business Awards, 18 September in Visual.

For further information on the supports, services and upcoming events provided by the chamber, visit www.carlowchamber.com.