A YEAR IN REVIEW KILDARE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE - INSIDE THIS ISSUE - Destination Kildare Town
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KILDARE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
A YEAR IN REVIEW
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
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Kildare Town Development
17
E
SU
IS
Things to Do in Kildare Town
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Tidy Towns Competition 2017
R
BE
EM
EC
D
Now
Open
The Square, Kildare Town, Co Kildare
Ph. 045 522232, e: info@silkenthomas.com
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www.silkenthomas.com
KILDARE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
To advertise here please contact Emily at kildarechamberofcommerce@gmail.com
Foreward By
Chairman, Kildare Chamber of Commerce
This year has been a very busy and fruitful
year for Kildare Town and the Chamber of
Commerce. There have been many different
events that we are proud to have been a part
of and still more to come before 2017 is out.
Although we can acknowledge that the
environment for many businesses is still a
little uneven, it is very encouraging to see
new businesses opening up in the town. The
Chamber would like to wish them all the
very best in their new ventures and thank
them, along with all business owners for
their ongoing contribution to what is a fast-
developing community.
The Town is certainly undergoing a period
of concentrated growth in the coming
years, which will transform Kildare. We feel
that these changes are both exciting and
challenging and it is important that the
community has a cohesive voice to oversee
this transition to ensure the optimal outcomes
for all.
This edition of our newsletter will update
you on the news and events of the Chamber
over the past 12 months. Also, we have some
important announcements to make along with
events to inform you all about.
Our website, www.destinationkildaretown.ie is
currently being freshened up and
the Facebook page @KildareChamber will
keep you informed of news that may be
relevant to you, your business or Kildare Town.
We hope that you will benefit from this
newsletter and please feel free to contact us
with any comments or suggestions.
Best Wishes,
Paul Lenehan
(Chairman)
A YEAR IN REVIEW 3
Bank of Ireland
Enterprising Towns
The final quarter of 2016 was, as always, a busy
time. The Manager of our local Bank of Ireland
(and Chamber member), Amanda McDermott
invited us to enter Kildare Town into the Bank
of Ireland Enterprising Towns Competition.
Paul Lenehan presented the town’s strongest
points at an event in Solas Bhríde in November
with many representatives from the town
present. Kildare Town was presented the Merit
Award for that entry in early 2017 at an awards
ceremony in Roscommon.
The first Bank of Ireland Enterprise Towns
Support In Kildare Town Event took place in 2016 at the Kildare
House Hotel, allowing many local businesses
At the Chamber we have been active in the showcase their offerings. As this event was
last year in terms of supporting projects and received very well and of course, brilliant
events that are helping to develop Kildare fun, it went ahead again this year and was an
Town in a positive way. even bigger success than the first. Businesses
in the town competed against each other
With the town set to grow exponentially over in a giant, ‘It’s a Knockout!’ obstacle course
the next number of years, we are aware that (congratulations to the Kildare Farm Foods
building a reputation as a great place to live team who saw off Cill Dara Rugby in the final
and do business is vital at this juncture. To this in a very close competition!). Many local
end, the Chamber has proudly supported the groups, businesses and home producers
following events and initiatives. had their products & services on display on
the day. We hope this has now become an
annual event.
2 KILDARE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Improved Christmas Lights
2016 was the first year that we had reindeer
on the Square for the festive season! Through
the Chambers participation, a projector shone
throughout December onto the roof of the
Kildare Town Heritage Centre putting a smile
on the faces of anyone who spotted it.
Our giant tree with plenty of lights was a
stunning sight too and one of the many recent
improvements in town that we are delighted
to be part of.
The St. Conleth’s Day Care Centre Christmas
Eve Breakfast was a fantastic morning, with
support coming not only from us at the
Chamber but from people from all around
Kildare Town and surrounding area.
Christmas Eve Breakfast
The St. Conleth’s Day Care Centre Christmas
Eve Breakfast was a fantastic morning, with
support coming not only from us at the
Chamber but from people from all around
Kildare Town and surrounding area.
This is a lovely opportunity to meet family and
friends on this busy festive day!
JOIN US THIS YEAR AT ST. CONLETH’S DAY
CARE CENTRE FROM 8.30AM - 11.30AM
A YEAR IN REVIEW 3
Summer Events & Festivals!
This summer was a busy and interesting
time for Kildare with the Derby Festival,
Thoroughbred Run and Medieval Festival all
taking place.
The Chamber was proud to support all three
of these great and growing summer events.
The boost to Kildare Town when these
events are held is huge and between them
they have brought an additional 6,000 visitors
plus, into the Town Centre this year alone.
Thanks to the organisers of such successful
annual events, ones we hope will carry on,
and continue to bring many more visitors to
Kildare Town each year.
4 KILDARE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
To advertise here please contact Emily at kildarechamberofcommerce@gmail.com
A YEAR IN REVIEW 5
Kildare Tidy Towns 2017 Economic Benefit to Local
The local Tidy Towns group are going from
Groups & Kildare Town
strength to strength and we will continue to
support their work through 2017/2018. They €2,500 - The contribution to Kildare Tidy
deserve much of the credit for the IBAL 2016 Towns for 1/3 of the planting in all the new
win and many congratulations on the recent planters around the town.
improved results in the SuperValu Tidy Towns €2,000 - sponsorship of the Kildare Town
Competition 2017. Medieval Festival which has brought almost
10,000 extra visitors to the town over the last
We at the Chamber would like to congratulate three events.
Dr. Mary O’ Connor on her new role as €2,500 - sponsorship for the Kildare
Chairperson of the Kildare Tidy Towns. The Thoroughbred Father’s Day Run and Taste
outgoing Chairperson, Willie Redmond has of Kildare. This events has become one of
served Kildare Town wonderfully during his the largest of its kind in Ireland and attracted
tenure and was deservedly presented with crowds from all over Ireland.
a surprise, ‘Citizen of the Year’ award by
€100,000 - The estimated total extra revenue
Newbridge and Kildare Lions Club recently.
that has come into the local economy through
the aforementioned events. This amount is a
Graces Pub on the Main Street had been
conservative estimate, based on the increased
becoming an eyesore over recent years. This
revenue of 5 hospitality and service businesses
summer, the Chamber decided it was time
in the town at each of the events. Remember
to get the building painted and went about
the benefits of supporting local are huge.
improving its façade along with the help of
Kildare Tidy Towns.
When you shop local, you are helping provide
local employment and helping to build a
We hope you will agree that the work has
better community for you and everyone in
made a marked improvement on the general
the town. According to Mark Fielding, CEO
street-scape in this busy part of town.
of ISME, when you spend in homegrown
businesses “45 cents of every Euro spent is
reinvested locally in comparison to only 15
cents for the foreign multiples”.
6 KILDARE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Residential Development
Residential Developments are booming
around Kildare at the moment. Kildare
Town is no exception. There are over 600
new homes currently just completed, under
construction or granted planning. With an
average of 2.9 people per household in
Kildare, over 600 houses could boost our
population from 9,859 (2016 Census) to over
11,600, a significant increase.
Kildare Village
Tourism Development
Kildare Village is soon to begin works on
Phase 3. We at the Chamber welcome this As Kildare is a part of Ireland’s Ancient East,
development and the new linkages to the now is an ideal time to promote the Town
Town along with many new visitors that will even further in terms of tourism. We are the
come with it. Chamber of Commerce in one of Ireland’s
Oldest Towns, and believe that we have a
The sale of Magee Barracks completed history and heritage to be extremely proud of.
earlier this year. The Chamber will continue The Chamber is supporting the development
to take a keen interest on this development. of a new Heritage Trail aimed at families, so
We do expect that the town can benefit from watch this space for further updates on this
any development on this site and will update project piloted by the Kildare Heritage Centre.
accordingly.
7 KILDARE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE A YEAR IN REVIEW 7
Club News
KILDARE
ATHLETIC
S CLUB
Working Together for Better
John Fitzs
imons co
faster and ntinues to
stronger. get
the 800m In July he
bronze re got
Ireland a presentin
t the Euro g
This year saw a great new amenity in Kildare Athletics pean Und
Champio er-20
Grosseto nships in
Town thanks to Kildare Athletics Club, Round , setting
in the qu his fastest
alifying ro time
distance. und for th
Towers GFC and Kildare Town Running & We wish
him all th
is
best in his e
future rac
Triathalon Club, a much needed new running es.
track. This joint venture between three clubs
adds a much needed piece of recreational
infrastructure for the people of Kildare town and
is just the start of big plans… watch this space!
ST. BRIGID
’S BOXIN
GC LUB
Katelynn P
helan from
FC
KILDARE A
medal in N th e club wo
CILL DARA RUGBY CLUB
ovember fo n a bronze
Champion r Ireland at
ships in In the World yre Senior
Rugby d Peter McInt
The Cill Dara Foxes Tag Margeurita ia . Katelynn 2017 KDFL perb
the Nevin both and ions. The su
Squad wer e pre sen ted with brilliantly
as 2 of 8 o
represente
d Ireland Cup Champ vi ct ory in
Division n the Irish rose to
group award at the Kildare travelled to
compete o team to Kildare team C ar ag h Celtic
7 in late tin g
Garda Youth Awards 201 done to th n a world-s October, bea sult lads
tastic
em both an tage. Well al! Great re
November this year, a fan d all at St.
Brigid’s. 3-1 at the fin
people aff.
accolade. The re are sev en & support st
who should
at Cill Dara Rugby Club
nteer
be very proud for their volu
well done
work with the Squad so
hel, Gavin
to; Steven Brien, Oisín Mic
, Cia n Guilfoyle,
Begley, Tadgh Nolan
n Fitz sim mo ns & Eog han
Brando
McGrath.
Joe Flanagan of Cill
Dara Rugby, was Congratula
tions also
presented with the Mr to the All
Ireland Bo
to the team
that went
Boots award from IRFU at the Nat
ional Stad
xing Cham
pionships
in Osprey Hotel female co ium. There
ntestants were seve
and St Bri at the com n
petition
Cill Dara U15’s became national ti
gid’s Boxin
g Club fin
ished with
Lein ste r Cha mpions back in April Silver.
tles, that’s
6 Gold me 6
in the final. dals and o
beating Portlaoise 20 -10 ne
at ach ieve me nt from the girls!
Gre
Finally, the
y have also
11 Leinste won, 23 K
r Titles, Be ildare Title
Kildare alo st Club in s,
ng with co County
girls comp mpeting in
etiti the golde
taking hom on in Sweden with 16 n
e, 8 gold, girls Post: Claregate Street,
medals, an 6 silver &
d breathe 2 bronze
! Kildare Town, Co.Kildare
We can on Tel: 045-522400
ly wish all
they go fro at the Clu
m strength b the best Fax: 045-522399
strength – to as
Paddy Phe Email: michaeljoyce@mjjoyce.net
certainly n lan and his
ot for slow team are
ing down.
We at Michael J Joyce + Co
wish everyone
a Happy Christmas!!
8 KILDARE CHAMBER OF COMMERCEUseful Links
• Kildare Chamber of Commerce
www.destinationkildaretown.ie
• Kildare Local Enterprise Office
www.localenterprise.ie/Kildare
• FÁILTE IRELAND
www.irelandsancienteast.com
• KILDARE COUNTY CHAMBER
www.countykildarechamber.ie
ALWAYS OPEN TO NEW MEMBERS Great News!
To join us please send the form below to The executive of the Kildare
Kildarechamberofcommerce@gmail.com Town Chamber of Commerce
would like to collectively
Or fill in online @
congratulate our colleague,
www.destinationkildaretown.ie Maureen Bergin on being
selected as the President of the County
Current Membership Benefits Kildare Chamber.. Maureen, a Kildare Town
native, will remain on the board with us
along with working tirelessly as Community
• Individual page listing on Relations Director in Kildare Village Outlet.
DestinationKildareTown.ie with links to We wish her the very best in her new role.
website/social media pages
An Inclusive Business
• Christmas Lights Contribution
• Included in any support given to local
events e.g. The Medieval Festival 2017 Community
• The Chamber lobbies with you, and on
We will continue to work with
your behalf and that of the town, on the
our elected representatives
issues that affect you
and Cllr. Suzanne Doyle, who is
• Networking opportunities. the Chair of County Strategic
Policy Committee for Planning
and Enterprise and very active
Additional Membership member of Chamber.
Benefits in 2018
Contact Us
• Newsletter with updates on Chamber
KILDARE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE,
activities, community news and more
Market Square,
• Business advice available (from
Kildare Town,
kildarechamberofcommerce@gmail.com)
Co. Kildare
• Sharing of members special offers/news
etc. on social media. E: kildarechamberofcommerce@gmail.com
W: http://www.destinationkildaretown.ie
9 A YEAR IN REVIEW 9Invitation to join Kildare Chamber of Commerce
Supporting and leading positive change in Kildare
We are currently inviting new members to join Kildare Town Chamber of Commerce for 2018.
We believe that our Chamber is an all-inclusive group and so, in giving all business a voice when
it comes to matters that affect them. We actively lobby on behalf of Kildare Town. The larger our
membership base, the stronger our lobby and ability to influence decisions that may affect our town’s
development will be. Kildare Town is a great place to live and do business and would like you to help us
in making it even better!
We are offering a special membership fee for 2018 of €120. We would be delighted if you would join us!
SOME IMPORTANT AREAS TO BE ADDRESSED IN THE COMING 12 MONTHS:
1. The Magee Barracks & Cherry Avenue sites
2. Lobbying relevant groups to ensure careful town expansion
3. Growing the number of tourists to the town
4. Improving the general streetscape and commercial mix in the town centre.
ALSO THE CHAMBER HAS A STRONG COMMUNITY & SOCIAL FOCUS ORGANISING, AMONG
OTHER THINGS:
1. The Christmas Lights, Family Festival
2. The Thoroughbred Run
3. Halloween in the Square 2016
AND ACTIVELY SUPPORTING EVENTS SUCH AS:
1. Bank of Ireland Enterprise Town 2016 / 2017
2. Kildare Town Medieval Festival annually
3. The Derby Festival annually
4. Kildare Town Halloween Festival 2017
10 KILDARE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE2018 Membership
Subscription
We would be delighted if you would join us
and we are offering a special membership
fee of €120 until the end of 2018
Contribution covers the following:
• Chamber of Commerce Membership
• Lobbying with local Government on your
behalf
• Tidy Towns Membership
• Contribution to Derby Festival, Kildare
Town Medieval Festival, Halloween
Festival & Christmas Lights
• Email updates on Chamber activities
• Listing with link on the Chamber website,
destinationkildaretown.ie
• Copy of quarterly Chamber newsletter’
If you would like to join the Kildare Chamber of
Commerce, please email
kildarechamberofcommerce@gmail.com
alternatively go to
www.destinationkildaretown.ie/registration-form
where you can contact us.
Standing Order Option:
Alternatively if you wish to spread the cost of
your subscription over 12 months please contact
us and we can arrange a standing order form.
A YEAR IN REVIEW 11LOOKING FORWARD Our priorities therefore for 2018 are:
TO 2018
• A strong focus on tourism. The development
of Ireland’s Ancient East has given Kildare a
wonderful opportunity to increase its visibility
In reviewing content for this article, we at the to visitors to Ireland. As one of Ireland’s
Chamber were happy to see that Kildare Town Oldest Towns, we have plenty to offer tourists
truly is a great place to do business. With and we at the Chamber, along with tourism
the Towns’ current growth, we will be active groups in Kildare, aim to increase our share
participants in ensuring that the developments of visitors to the Country.
taking place in the town Centre, its environs and • Continue dialogue with Kildare Village to
residential areas bring positive changes for all ensure careful expansion that benefits the
who live and do business here. town
• Traffic Management is an issue which has
come to the fore in the past 12 months. As
many residential developments are now in
full swing and traffic in Ireland overall has
increased traffic management is an item
which the Chamber will ensure is pushed with
the relevant authorities.
• The Kildare Town Chamber of Commerce
will continue to support and invest in the
increasing number of diverse events which
reflect not only a growing population but
a growing economy and more prosperous
town for us all to live and work in.
Looking forward to 2018, we hope to see Kildare
Town developing in a positive manner, ensuring
that Kildare remains a great place to live and do
business.
12 KILDARE CHAMBER OF COMMERCEww CO
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@
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omGreat food and a cosy atmosphere
at our Award Winning Restaurant
HARTES
OF KI LDARE
PUB & R E STAUR ANT
“The HARTE of quality fare”
Michelin Eating out in pubs guide 2018
Top 100 best places to eat in Ireland, The Irish Times
100 Best restaurants, McKennas Guides
Best Gastro pub in Ireland 2018 YesChef Awards
Recommended by:
Hartes of Kildare Market Square, Kildare Town, Co. Kildare
Tel: 045 533557 • www.harteskildare.ie
14 KILDARE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
To advertise here please contact Emily at kildarechamberofcommerce@gmail.comYou can also read
