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Dear All   Re: Annual General Meeting (2023) notification Notice is hereby given that: The Connemara Chamber of Commerce will be holding their annual AGM on Thursday May 11th 2023 at 7pm in the Station House Theatre, Clifden, Co. Galway. All are welcome, members and non-member. Agenda • Presidents Report to include: 1. Marconi Way 2. Regeneration of Clifden 3. Irish Language Planning Town 4. Remote Working Hub 5. Membership Drive 6. Tidy Towns 7. Galway County Council 8. Parking 9. Christmas Shopping Campaign 10. Christmas Lights 11. St Patricks Day 12. Clifden Summerfest 13. Local Lotto / Win a House draw. 14. Future Plans 15. Galway Outer By-pass 16. Residential Planning 17. Newsletter • Financial Report • Election of Officers • AOB  

Connemara Chamber of Commerce wishes to announce two major changes to the way we operate our membership system: 1. An updated fee structure for existing and members 2. A new online member management system   1. Updated Fee Structure After many years Connemara Chamber has reformed its membership fee structure. We have introduced a new tiered membership fee structure to better reflect our membership base. The new fee structure is based on number of employees per business which we believe is a fairer. This new fee structure is in place and effective from 1st January 2023 Note our new tiered membership options in the table below: Membership Options – Connemara Chamber of Commerce Annual Fee Annual Membership – 1 – 5 Employees / Sole Traders  €            200 Annual Membership – 6 – 10 Employees  €            250 Annual Membership – 11-20 Employees  €            300 Annual Membership – 21+ Employees  €            400 Annual Membership – Community Organisations or Groups  €            100   2. A New Online Membership Management System In parallel to the roll-out of our updated fee structure, we are also rolling our a new online membership management system and bringing our membership system fully online. This new system brings state […]

This is our annual appeal to ensure that Connemara’s capital Clifden is nice and lit up for the festive season! DONATE HERE –>>  https://gofund.me/9132ac10 We hope you will contribute a little (or a lot!) to light up Clifden in 2022 Every year without fail and with incredible local generosity, the Connemara Chamber gets the lights up in Clifden. In 2021 we raised €3,945 with 43 individual donations – Go Raibh Milé Maith Agat Connemara Chamber of Commerce Board

[ Upcoming Clifden Town Meeting ] Connemara Chamber of Commerce is hosting a presentation and discussion on the recently proposed redevelopment plans for Clifden. Details 10.15 am – Tea/coffee & pastries 10.30 am – Presentation of Clifden Regeneration Plans 11.00 am – Discussion on Clifden Regeneration plans – moderated by Dr. Kevin Heanue – Chair of Connemara West plc 12.15 pm – Finish #clifden #connemara #clifdenregeneration Thursday 7th July – 10.15am to 12.15pm Station House Theatre, Clifden Contact: [email protected] | (089) 9526795 All welcome.

Note Below: Importance Correspondence from Senior Planner, MKO (consultation appointed to develop a plan for Clifden . Business Survey >> https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ClifdenBusinessSurvey  —————————————————————————————– Clifden – Regenerating the Capital of Connemara   Working alongside Galway County Council, a design team, consisting primarily of LUC, Tobin Consulting Engineers and MKO Planning & Environmental Consultants, have recently begun work on a  project which will be transformational for the town of Clifden.   The project will seek to reinforce Clifden’s position as the ‘Capital of Connemara’ through the regeneration of its public realm and greenspaces. The project has been funded by Galway County Council and the Government of Ireland Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF), to address 3 specific locations within the town:   Town Centre Public Realm The Harbour Park The Beach Road Quay Area   These are 3 distinct projects, but very much interlinked, as together they will provide a rejuvenated town centre for everyone to enjoy.   The design team have created a  bespoke project website (https://www.clifdenregeneration.com/) to provide an introduction to the project and a space where the community can be informed about the aims and the vision of the project. The website contains links to Information Boards, a Video explaining […]

The following notice appeared on https://galwaytooughterardgreenway.ie/public-consultation/   Galway County Council, in partnership with Galway City Council have commenced the development of a scheme for the Galway to Oughterard Greenway. During the design process, the project team will hold a number of stages of non-statutory public consultation. These consultations may be a combination of public information events and/or publication of elements of the scheme electronically for comment. First Non-Statutory Public Consultation – Study Area and Constraints As part of the work to date, AECOM has defined a study area and are currently in the process of identifying the artificial and natural constraints as well as any external parameters, which relate to this study area. These external parameters include (but are not limited to) economic, engineering and environmental constraints. Galway County Council, in conjunction with Galway City Council now invite the residents of the local area, members of the public and other interested parties to participate in a non-statutory public consultation on the Study Area and Constraints for the Galway to Oughterard Greenway project from Monday 28th February 2022 to Tuesday 22nd March 2022. Your participation in this consultation is important and we would value any feedback which you think should be reviewed […]

* Connemara Chamber Broadcast List – Signup >>* https://forms.gle/SzPUC88E8DjmZ1y78 The Connemara Chamber of Commerce is launching a text alert system (via What’s App) to keep Connemara’s businesses and organisations in the loop. The new communications system promises to send only periodic updates about important and relevant information. If you would like to receive no more than 1 text message per week  (maximum) from the Connemara Chamber of Commerce, then please fill out the form below. For more general info on this Broadcast WhatsApp Service see: https://connemarachamber.ie/broadcastlist/

#SupportConnemara Marketing Campaign  2021 – Campaign Results Dear Connemara Business / Chamber Member, The Connemara Chamber of Commerce ran a free #SupportConnemara Marketing Campaign in 2021     Campaign Results ❆ Strong Business Engagement – 77 Connemara Businesses submitted to the Support Connemara Campaign   ❆ Creation of 6 Support Connemara Sections –  RETAIL – https://connemarachamber.ie/supportconnemara/retail/ EAT AND DRINK – https://connemarachamber.ie/supportconnemara/eat-and-drink/ SERVICES – https://connemarachamber.ie/supportconnemara/services/ FARMING & EQUINE – https://connemarachamber.ie/supportconnemara/farming-and-equine/ COMMUNITY AND EVENTS – https://connemarachamber.ie/supportconnemara/community-and-events/ ACCOMMODATION – https://connemarachamber.ie/supportconnemara/accommodation/ ❆ Full Page Advert – Full page advertisement in the Connacht Tribune (2rd Dec) – See Advertisement Here >> ❆ Editorial – Galway Advertiser ❆ Social – 19872 Support Campaign Views on Social Media Channels ❆ Competition – 584 email addresses collected for Local Email Database SHOPPING VOUCHER COMPETITION 912 Entries to the €500 Shopping Voucher Competition Winner: Constance Masson – Sky Road Clifden – Well done Constance! ❆ Brochure Drop – 5000 Leaflets Dropped encouraging people to Shop and Spend in Connemara – See Brochure Here > ❆ Posters – 150 campaign posters put up  ❆ Radio – 50 plays of Support Connemara advertisements on Connemara FM ❆ Website – 3422 Website Views of SupportConnemara Campaign Landing Page – See Page >> Campaign […]

In April the Chamber wrote to a number of parties asking them to assist with the car parking during the summer months. We are pleased to report that Super Valu  in Clifden are assisting the Chamber by providing a number or spaces on level minus 3 to the business owners and staff of the town to park their cars and therefore freeing up valuable car parking spaces for people visiting the town on business or leisure. Clifden District and Community Council have also agreed to make the area on the beach road formally known as the ball alley available subject to planning and insurance. Car parking spaces are also available at the mart. Basic research shows us that most of the cars parked on street belong to business owners and staff. If business owners and staff park elsewhere it frees up the spaces for people patronising the businesses in the town.

See information on the Outdoor Seating and Accessories Scheme which is currently being administered by Galway County Council. You can submit your application for your business via this link. More info: Fáilte Ireland’s new Outdoor Dining Enhancement Investment Scheme, in partnership with Local Authorities will work to facilitate greater capacity in outdoor dining by supporting Local Authorities and hospitality businesses with upgrading and enhancing streets and public spaces and implementing weather-proofing solutions which will facilitate year-round outdoor dining. This investment scheme will be delivered under the Fáilte Ireland ‘Opening the Outdoors’ strategic pillar which aims to capitalise our outdoor assets and re-imagine our urban spaces. The Outdoor Dining Enhancement Scheme consist of 2 elements: Outdoor Seating & Accessories for Tourism & Hospitality Business – Providing support to individual hospitality and tourism businesses towards the cost of equipment to provide additional outdoor seating and facilitate individual businesses to increase their outdoor dining capacity for the summer of 2021. Weatherproofing & Outdoor Dining Infrastructure – Implement the necessary remedial works and weatherproofing solutions to areas where additional outdoor dining could be possible thereby increasing capacity and locations. Outdoor Seating and Accessories

13th of May 3.00pm to 4.15pm Attendees: Reps from Galway County Council Reps from Connemara Chamber of Commerce Committee Topics discussed: 254 Licences Results of recent survey discussed. Clarity given by Galway County Council on 254 licenses 254 licences are issued to cover public owned spaces only e.g. car park spaces Licenses cover items that are fully removable at close of business such as: Table and Chairs Wind breakers / Surrounds Temporary base Number of applications sent to the council is 12 at present. Licenses may be issued until the end of 2021 Awnings and Canopies do not require planning permission from 30th April to 31st December 2021 Successful applicants will be notified by the Council by Tuesday 18th of May at the latest Parking Optimisation The issue of parking spaces in the town was discussed – staff and owners parking outside their own businesses all day long. The Chamber is in discussion with Kavanagh’s SuperValu Clifden and Connemara Pony Breeders Society in regards to offering additional parking to be made available to Clifden business owners and staff during the high season

The Connemara Chamber of Commerce welcomes the news of the significant funding to combat Rhododendron within the Connemara National Park. We are aware that similar work in 2020 provide employment to eight locals through the Farm Relief Service. It is tremendous to see this positive conservation work ongoing within the National Park, which is of significant benefit to both biodiversity and the community. We would also like to congratulate the National Park on the recent approval of their planning application for the provision of new looped walks and a new car park within the National Park. We look forward with anticipation to the delivery of this exciting project, which will allow for better visitor management and experiences within the National Park, which will further enhance Connemara as a location to visit and as a place to live. More … https://www.thejournal.ie/half-a-million-to-clear-rhododendron-from-connemara-national-park-5408886-Apr2021/ https://www.farmersjournal.ie/500k-allocated-to-rhododendron-clearance-work-in-connemara-national-park-615178 https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/connemara-national-park-new-walking-trails-given-green-light-502hkdqvn https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/0af26-minister-announces-major-rhododendron-clearance-project-in-connemara-national-park/

Applications due 12th April 2021 Galway County Council in conjunction with the National Monuments Service, Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage are inviting applications for Community Monuments Fund 2021. The grant scheme offers funding for the conservation, maintenance, protection and presentation of archaeological monuments. The Community Monuments Fund will invest essential capital to help owners and custodians of archaeological monuments safeguard them into the future for the benefit of communities and the public. Proposed projects shall Enable conservation works to be carried out on monuments which are deemed to be significant and in need of urgent support; Encourage access to monuments and improve their presentation; Build resilience in our monuments to enable them to with stand the effects of climate change. The Department encourages project promoters to incorporate a traditional skills training element. Who Can Apply? Private applicants or community groups who are the owners or custodians of monuments may apply. (State-funded organisations working in the heritage area may apply directly to the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage for projects with a clearly defined heritage focus and community or public benefit) Up to 100% of project costs may be funded. How to Apply? Applications from landowners, custodians […]

The official unveiling of the New Alcock & Brown Statute took place in Clifden on March 6th 2020. The Statue was a gift to Clifden from Sean & Bernardine Mulryan and officially unveiled by British Ambassador Robin Barnett. RTE Nuacht, Keith Finnegan from Galway Bay FM and Connemara Community radio all covered the event where the people of Connemara came out in huge numbers to witness this historic event. It was a beautiful day on the Square in Clifden and was made even more special by the children from Scoil Mhuire National School and Clifden Community School. We would like to thank Sean & Bernardine Mulryan for their incredible generosity on behalf of The Connemara Chamber of Commerce and all the people of Connemara.  

Brexit & Connemara ‘Meet the Experts’ Session What: Brexit & Connemara ‘Meet the Experts’ Session Details: A Brexit ‘Meet the Experts’ session, with sector and subject experts aiming to assist local businesses and people to prepare for Brexit. Where:                Station House Theatre When:                 17th October 2018. 19.00 Cost:                   Free Format:               Brief presentations, Short Panel Discussion, Q+A Experts on the night: BOI – Gerardo Larios Rizo – Tourism and hospitality specialist DHL – Eddie Meaney – Head of Customs and Aviation Coll & Co – Rory Coll – Tax Specialist LEO (Galway) Breda Fox – Head of Enterprise  (Funding supports) ISME David Waldron – Irish SME Association, Council member Brexit & Connemara Support Site The Connemara Programme have launched a Brexit support site for Connemara businesses and people. Its purpose is to assist in understanding and addressing the issues related to Brexit and their potential impact on Connemara businesses and people.  www.connemaraprogramme.com/brexit Event organised by: Connemara Programme ,  Connemara Chamber of Commerce , and the local branch of the Bank of Ireland. Key contact: Colum Joyce,    Tel 0877105927   email: [email protected]

Media Brief Tuesday, 12th June @ 1pm Buswells Hotel, 23-27 Molesworth Street, Dublin 2 ‘Alcock and Brown 100 Festival’ Launch 2019 will celebrate one of the greatest feats of early aviation – the centenary of the first non-stop transatlantic flight in history, completed by John Alcock and Arthur Whitten-Brown. Starting from St John’s, Newfoundland in their Vickers Vimy biplane, Alcock and Brown made history as they landed in Clifden, Connemara, Co. Galway 16 hours and 28 minutes later, with Alcock famously being the first person in Europe to announce “Yesterday we were in America”. Launching the celebrations will be Tony Alcock MBE, nephew of Sir John Alcock, as well as Brendan Griffin, Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport. RTE’s Ryan Tubridy, who was awarded the freedom of Connemara in 2011 and who has a close connection to the area, will be in attendance to support this significant event in Irish history. Speaking at the event will be Terence O’Toole, President of the Connemara Chamber of Commerce, and Brendan Lynch, Author of “Yesterday we were in America: Alcock and Brown – First to Fly the Atlantic Non-Stop”. We would love you to come along to learn […]

NOTE FROM CLIFDEN & DISTRICT COMMUNITY COUNCIL 2018 St. Patricks Day Parade, Clifden Download Applications Forms – St. Patrick’s Day Parade 2018  —————————————————————————- Dear Community Groups, Schools and Businesses, The St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee of the Clifden & District Community Council, with sponsorship from the Connemara Chamber of Commerce wish to invite your group to participate in the St. Patricks Day parade on Saturday, March 17th.  The parade will commence at 12.30pm with all groups to assemble along Galway Road by 12.00pm. Stewards will be on hand along route to aid and assist in any way to ensure a safe-and well marshalled parade. Participating groups may enter any float or theme of own choosing, and as we say every year the brighter and bolder the float the better. There are a variety of prize categories this year which include: • Best overall • Most topical • Best community effort • Most comical Every school that participates in the parade will receive a Certificate of Participation. There will be entertainment on the Town Square prior to the parade, and entertainment will continue into the afternoon with a Soccer Blitz, Treasure Hunt, street disco, live music and more! We ask that […]

Connemara Chamber of Commerce has applied to be a ‘host town’ during this major bi-annual cycle event on Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way. Wild Atlantic Way Cycle Sportif The Wild Atlantic Way Cycle Sportif is a major new cycle event supported by Fáilte Ireland, Wild Atlantic Way & Tourism Ireland.  It will form part of a series of bi – annual Cycle events along the coastal route (from Kinsale in West Cork to Muff in Donegal) which will promote the Wild Atlantic Way as a premium Cycling destination internationally and domestically. The Sportif series will be fully supported, multi – stage events that will allow our cyclists concentrate on pumping the legs and taking in the wonderful scenery, letting the team at Ride Wild take care of everything else! Clifden – One of only 4 Host Towns Connemara Chamber of Commerce has applied for Clifden to be one of only four ‘host towns’ along the route.  Clifden is applying to establish Clifden as a ‘Must do’ stage on the Wild Atlantic way Cycle Sportif. Other potential host towns are Kinsale, Caherciveen and Donegal Town. The role of the selected Host Towns will be significant as it will allow them to take […]

Bank of Ireland has launched a national competition to find the country’s most enterprising town. After a recent successful application to be considered for the award, Clifden has been nominated for the Enterprising Town Awards 2017 along with The Latin Quarter, Headford, Ballinasloe, Portumna, Oranmore, Loughrea and Salthill in various categories. In May 2017 Clifden hosted its first Bank of Ireland Enterprise Town event – more details on that here: https://connemarachamber.ie/clifden-hosts-its-first-bank-of-irelands-enterprise-town/ The judges will be in Clifden late September 2017 where they will listen to a presentation from the Chamber of others. Every nominated place will have a three hour visit by three experienced judges. Nationally, there’s a total prize fund of €110,000, over 30 cash prizes will be awarded to various winners. Clifden is entered into the <3000 population category.

  Connemara Chamber of Commerce’s submission to The Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport on the Future Development of Greenways in Ireland In May 2017, The Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport issued a Public Consultation Paper on the Future Development of Greenways in Ireland The Connemara Chamber of Commerce has made the following submission in regards to the Future Development of Greenways —————————————————————————————————————————————————————– To:  Sustainable Transport Division, Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, Leeson Lane, D02 TR60. [email protected] From: Connemara Chamber of Commerce, Market Street, Clifden, Connemara, Co. Galway. [email protected] 14th July 2017 Re: Submissions to the ‘Strategy for the Future Development of Greenways’ To Whom It Concerns, As per the public consultation period of the Strategy for the Future Development of Greenways, we have reviewed the Public Consultation Paper and make the submissions and observations in this document. The Connemara Chamber of Commerce is based in Clifden, Connemara, Co. Galway, has a high membership level and is a very reflective representation of the views of the business community in the Connemara region. Questions for consideration – we have answered your questions in this document – see page 2 onwards. 5 Additional Points to compliment your questions 1. Get it […]

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Waterford Greenway Delegation show how it can be done The Connemara Greenway Alliance invited a delegation from the successful Waterford Greenway campaign group to meet with Galway County and City Councillors and Officials last week and push forward the completion of the Connemara Greenway from Galway City to Clifden by 2020. In 2014, €2 million in funding was secured for the Moycullen section of the Connemara Greenway, with the Waterford and Kerry greenways also securing funding from the Department of Transport. Of the three, the Waterford Greenway is the only greenway completed to date, officially opening in March this year. According to Garvan Cummins of the Deise Greenway Group:  ‘’ This has been a game changer for the people that live along the route. Neighbours that usually only pass each other in their cars are stopping to talk to each other on the Greenway. People who have not cycled in 60 years are now cycling again. Teenagers actually think it’s cool to cycle along the Greenway!’’ ‘’Taking one area as an example. Nothing short of an economic miracle has happened in the town of Kilmacthomas. Before the Greenway, it was very depressed with many closed shops.  One new cafe that […]

Celebratory opening of Derrigimlagh Discovery Point – September 2016 September 16th 2016 saw the celebratory opening of the Derrigimlagh Discovery Point known locally as the ‘Marconi Site’. A guided walk was given by archaeologist Michael Gibbons and engineer Shane Joyce. With over 300 in attendance and favorable weather, the 3 hour guided was great success. Images: Terry O’Toole/Love Connemara   Derrigimlagh Discovery Point Images: Pat Moore/Failte Ireland/Wild Atlantic Way