*Marty Morrissey and Mick Guinee. Photograph: Eamon Ward.
THREE DECADES of success for Shannon Chamber has been celebrated and lauded.
At a special anniversary dinner in Dromoland Castle on Friday evening, business leaders from the region gathered to toast three decades of Shannon Chamber.
Founding director Mick Guinnee was honoured for his outstanding contribution to the Mid-West with a presentation made to him on the night in the iconic Brian Boru Hall. He received a bespoke sculpture by Irish Natural Stone (INStone) sculptor Colin Grehan, titled ‘Pools of Light’, in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the region from CEO of Shannon Chamber, Helen Downes.
Shannon Chamber President Mark Nolan, in his address, reflected on the vision of the founding directors, Chris Taylor, Arthur Hanly, Austin Collins, Michael Fitzpatrick, Risteard Crimmins, Mick Guinee, George O’Carroll, Paddy O’Rouke and Aidan Quish who established Shannon & District Chamber of Commerce as the ‘Voice of Commercial Activity in Shannon and District and to strengthen its economic heartbeat.
Nolan said he was “honoured to be standing here as President of the Chamber” for such a historic occasion. By 1997, there was 70 member companies of Shannon Chamber. He noted current CEO Downes has had “a dynamic role” since her appointment in 2008 succeeding the first CEO, Tríona McInerney. He commented, “under her direction, I suspect Shannon Chamber is the envy of a lot of Chambers in Ireland”.
According to the former General Manager of Dromoland Castle, “this anniversary is not just about looking back but looking forward, we need to ensure Shannon remains a place of opportunity, resilience and growth. We are thirty years young and only getting stronger”.
Speaking after receiving his presentation, Mick Guinee stated, “we can be competitive worldwide from an Irish base”. A co-founder of Ei Electronics, the company is one of the most successful in the region with just short of 1,000 employees at their Shannon headquarters and a further 250 worldwide in their six subsidiaries.
He recalled that former Town Councillor, Patricia McCarthy (IND) approached him back in the mid 1990s which planted the idea of setting up the Shannon Chamber. The Cork native said the whole mood in Co Clare had been lifted by Ger Loughnane and how he instilled belief in the county hurlers to win All-Ireland and Munster titles.
RTÉ’s Marty Morrissey was MC on the night with HIYA entertainment keeping the 27 tables of guests on their toes for the celebration. “1995 was a special year with Clare hurling, beating Limerick in the Munster senior hurling final, Galway in the All-Ireland semi-final and Offaly in the All-Ireland final but it was also a special year with the founding of Shannon Chamber,” Marty recalled.
Mullagh native Marty added, “We are leaders here, I’m adamant and passionate about that, what we have is unique and special”. He quipped that he first met Mick Guinee a year ago and that on the three occasions he has since come across him that he has received a standing ovation each time.
Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food, Fisheries and the Marine and Minister of State at the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment, Timmy Dooley (FF) in his address recognised how Shannon Chamber has succeeded in shaping local, regional and international policies. “Allegiances and alliances have been developed, we have pharma companies now, we’re real players and we provide an attractive environment for Shannon,” he added.
International investors according to the Junior Minister are now asking about Shannon before they consider investing in Ireland. He recalled in 2006 when Eoin Hoctor was President of Shannon Chamber and the need for pre-clearance facilities at Shannon Airport was stressed. “we were talking about the N18 at the time, it’s now there and taken for granted. We now have infrastructure deficits, we need to do more on energy and have more balanced regional development”.
Announcements are imminent from the Government on simplifying housing and reducing regulatory reform, the Mountshannon native advised, “it is to try to eliminate opportunities for very diverse individual who has a bee in their bonnet through courts and delaying you and your enterprise”. He described Mick Guinee as “a pioneer in your sector, a man who never really followed the globalist agenda, you continued to manufacture high-end technology when others were running to do it cheaper elsewhere.
CEO Helen Downes said “every day is different” at Shannon Chamber. She praised the Directors for their continued support. “I have the honour of acknowledging someone who has given so much to Shannon, region and countless organisations. Back in 1995, he along with others helped laid the foundation for Shannon Chamber,” she said when introducing Guinee to the floor.
All photographs by Eamon Ward.
