Year In Review 2003   You are in · RoscreaOnline · Community · Features

Roscrea Chamber Of Commerce

Chamber Officers:

President: Seamus Browne Vice President: Marion Hayes Secretary: Brian King Treasurer: Sean Delaney

Council Members:

Michael Madden (MPSI), Brian Colclough, Liam McGrath, John Guilfoyle, John Lupton, Paul DuBerry, Pat Mullally, Patrick Walsh, Michael B Madden, Engtek Ltd, Denis Ryan, Liam Shanahan, Brendan O’ Meara, Brendan Hyland.

The following is just a brief synopsis of what has been an extremely busy and productive year for Roscrea Chamber Of Commerce.

Parking Issue:

The parking issue has featured regularly on the Chamber Agenda for the last eighteen months. A number of meetings have taken place with Matt Shortt and representatives from the County Council. A working committee has been put in place and representing the Chamber at those meetings have been, Seamus Browne, Brian Colclough, Ray McCarthy and Brian King. Other groups involved in the working committee include RCDC and the local Garda. The County Council and Minister Smith have welcomed the Chamber’s willingness to introduce pay for parking. The Chamber did however put one stipulation on pay for parking and that was that a new car park had to be constructed in the town first. The Council agreed in principal to this, and the new Car Park to the rear of Main Street, will open in 2003. The Chamber also welcomed the recent news that money will be allocated next year to complete the new road at the back of Main Street. Submissions on Pay For Parking will be sought early in the new year.

Swimming Pool:

The Chamber approached members of the County Council during the year as regards cleaning up the proposed site for the Swimming Pool, as well as putting up a sign to inform the local community and visitors to the town that the Dublin road site is where the new Swimming Pool will be built. A number of meetings have also taken place with Minister Smith on the Swimming Pool and good news is expected in the near future with regards pursuing the project

Retail Plan:

The Chamber have made a submission on the Retail Plan, which was developed for North Tipperary some months ago. The plan highlights Roscrea as the second fastest growing town in Tipperary, and been the hub of commercial activity in the north East of the County. The plan focuses upon three main areas in the town which should be concentrated upon for retail development.

Tourism:

Tourism has featured strongly on the Chamber agenda for the last number of months. The Chamber was successful back in April in persuading Shannon Development to release a tourism framework document, which the Chamber will use to help bring a number of changes and improvements to the town. Already Roscrea Credit Union have come on board, and the Chamber was delighted with the fantastic news in June, that the Credit Union offered office space to Ely O’Carroll with a view towards promoting tourism in the area, and getting the tourist providers to realise the great advantages they can gain by working with one another. Since July, Tracy has had a presence in Roscrea two mornings a week. In that time she has established a Roscrea Heritage Town Working Group, with representatives from local authority, Heritage Society, Chamber Of Commerce, Tourism Trade, Dchas, Roscrea Online, Tidy Towns, The County Enterprise Board and Shannon Development. Seamus Browne and Brian King represent the Chamber on this group. Representatives of this working group meet once a month and are concentrating their efforts initially on achievable projects that can be implemented in the short term. The Chamber also welcome the great news that Roscrea will Host the Munster Fleadh next year from the 12th to the 18th of July. An initial meeting with Comhaltas has taken place and the Chamber have all their support for what will be a wonderful occasion for Roscrea, with up to 20,000 visitors expected to the town. Keep an eye on the www.roscreaonline.com website from January for more details about the Fleadh and opportunities for host families to make a few pound by providing accommodation etc for visitors to the Festival next July.

MIZA/TARO

The Miza situation as we all know was very serious, and when news broke of its closure in December last year, it created much unrest and anger in the town and surrounding areas. The Chamber was quite active on the issue of MIZA. Statements and press releases were given to the local media and letters were sent by the Chamber to the Taoiseach, The Tinste and all Ministers including Ministers of State calling on the government to give its wholehearted support to Minister Michael Smith in his efforts to bring replacement jobs to Roscrea. A very favourable response was received from many of the Ministers, and particular thanks must go to the Tinste Mary Harney who wrote a very detailed letter to us, and pointed out all the positive aspects Roscrea has to offer, as well as promising to give her fullest attention to the area of job creation in the town. The Chamber are very grateful to Minister Smith who has brought an exciting company listed on the NASDAQ to our doorstep. It can only augur well for the future of our town.

Rail:

The Rail issue features regularly on the Chamber Agenda. A sub committee representing the various counties affected by the Limerick to Ballybrophy line is in place, and is currently seeking funding of 25,000 to commission a report, which will hopefully prove the viability of the keeping the rail line open, as well as upgrading the services on the existing line. The Minister for transport has given the group until the end of 2004, to produce a report convincing him that the Limerick/Ballybrophy line has a future.

FBD Milk RAS

The first stage finish of this year’s FBD Milk Ras took place in Roscrea on Sunday the 18th of May last and Brian King represented the Chamber on the organising committee. The Chamber showed their appreciation for the event by sponsoring a breakfast for the Army Band who played for the cyclists as they departed Roscrea for the second leg of their journey on Monday the 19th. Again we were privileged to have the army band in Roscrea on that morning and a sincere thanks to Minister Michael Smith for making their presence possible. A number of letters were received from the national organisers of the event, complimenting the people of Roscrea and the fantastic arrangements that were made for their arrival and departure from the town.

Entertainment Amenities For Roscrea:

Discussions have taken place at recent Chamber meetings with regard the lack of Entertainment Amenities in Roscrea. It is hoped to raise the subject again in January with a view to making a submission under The Draft Development Contribution Scheme highlighting the problem, and suggesting ways to tackle the issue etc.

Tidy Towns:

Once again the Tidy Towns have to be congratulated on another fantastic years work. Each year members of Tidy Towns put a tremendous amount of time and effort into making this town ever more beautiful. The Chamber calls on all local businesses particularly at weekends to be vigilant for litter, and to make every effort to ensure the outsides of their premises etc are kept clean and tidy. Unfortunately it only takes a few bad apples to rot the barrel, so next year lets all make that extra effort, especially with all the extra visitors that are expected to come and visit our town.

Special Olympics:

The Chamber was delighted to host the welcoming reception for the Saudi Arabian Special Olympic Delegation. The feedback from the event was very positive and the Chamber was delighted to have helped create a very favourable first impression of Roscrea for the visiting athletes and coaches. On the night a number of presentations etc were made. The Chamber would also like to thank Comhaltas once again, who provided wonderful entertainment on the evening, much to the delight of all those present, and especially our friends from oversees, who really enjoyed their first night of Irish hospitality. At the meeting the Success of The Chamber Of Commerce/Super Valu Shop Window Competition was also commented upon. Again we would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who supported and participated in the event. In doing so you all played your part in making our visitors most welcome. At the meeting The Chamber also acknowledged the tremendous amount of hard work by the Roscrea Host Town Committee, who helped create one of the most memorable weeks in the history of the town.

The Chamber feels it is vital that the goodwill that has been created over the last number of months between, the public, local businesses, groups, organisations etc is built upon especially now that the town will host the Munster Fleadh next year. We enjoyed a number of great days in Roscrea last summer, so hopefully this is a sign of even grater days to come.

Conclusion:

The Chamber would like to thank everyone for their support, and co-operation over the last number of months, and we look forward to what will hopefully be a year of substantial growth and prosperity for Roscrea in 2004. To become a part of Roscrea Chamber Of Commerce, please contact any committee member or email bking@roscreacu.ie Your support, contributions and suggestions are more than welcome. The Chamber also gives regular updates through the Roscrea Online website which can be accessed at www.roscreaonline.com.