History of Sligo Chamber

Sligo Chamber of Commerce & Industry was founded on 21st September 1923 with the purpose of developing existing business and attracting industry to Sligo.

The first President was H. Campbell-Perry who served until June 1935 when he was succeeded by Dudley M. Hanley, who served until January 1946, and then by Frank Nally, from January 1946 until February 1949.  Substantial assistance was received from the Department of Industry and Commerce which led to the Chamber setting up the first post war Tourist Development Association (March 1951) and in November 1951, the Sligo Industrial Development Corporation Ltd. An Industrial Development Committee had been set-up as early as May 1946. Great success attended the efforts of the Chamber, largely due to the work of the then Secretary Tommy Hamilton, F.C.A. and of course a hard working Council.  Secure foundations were laid for the Industrial Development of which we are so justly proud today. 

In 1962/63, F.J. Wynne, who was an outstanding President, had the honour to be elected President of the Chambers of Commerce of Ireland. 

During the decade of the 80's the ever increasing complexity of the business environment and the ever increasing bureaucratic encroachment on the conduct of business placed an intolerable burden on what was basically an amateur organisation. It was clearly perceived that the only Chambers which would survive into the 90's and function effectively would be those which could afford to appoint a full-time Director.

During 1989 research initiated by Council Member Robert Rowlette led to the Chamber signing a contract with the EC to host a European Business Information Centre. The first meeting of the Council in the new premises at Quay Street was held on 24th of July 1990. The next move was logical and inescapable - the appointment of a full-time Director and Kevin McGoldrick commenced work on 2nd April 1991.  By the purchase of an office building and the appointment of a full-time Director, Sligo Chamber of Commerce was saying, with a strong clear voice "We are ready to meet whatever challenge the future may bring; in particular  the challenge presented by our country's full participation in the new Europe".  Thus, as we move rapidly through the 21st century, it is appropriate to place on record the names of those who preceded us. As Newton said "We stand upon the shoulders of giants".  Let us hope the next generation will say the same of us.

Presidents of Sligo Chamber

Four Presidents spanned the first 40 years of the history of the Chamber. Of course, in those days, there was no democratic nonsense about term or tenure of office. When you got to be President you stayed President until the rubber tyred hack called for you.  In November 1964 T.P. Toher broke this custom when he proposed there should be a new President every 3 years and resigned to initiate this new rule. Subsequently, as a result of the ever increasing pressures on Presidents due to changing times, the tenure of office was gradually reduced to 1 year only.

The list of Presidents is as follows:-

1. H. Campbell Perry          21.09.1923
2. Dudley M. Hanley           02.06.1935
3. Frank Nally                    21.01.1946
4. Thomas P. Toher            08.02.1949
5. Frank J. Wynne              25.01.1957
6. William Cosgrove            27.07.1962
7. Stephen Bergin               Nov. 1965
8. A.B. Woods                   28.11.1968
9. J.W. MacMullen             10.12.1970
10. George Soden               28.02.1974
11. J.C. Cole, Jnr.               01.03.1977
12. Tony Toher                    08.01.1979
13. John Lyons                   02.12.1980
14. Richard L. Lyons           1982
15. Austin Jennings             1984
16. Joseph Gannon             1985-1986
17. Patrick Morgan              1987-1988
18. Damien Brennan            1988-1989
19. Raymond T. Monahan    1990
20. Seamus Monaghan        1991
21. Desmond Moran            1992
22. Michael Higgins             1993
23. Gerry McManus             1994
24. Gerry Conway                1995
25. Jim Lawlor                     1996
26. Pat Heelan                    1997
27. Peter Tiernan                 1998
28. Gerry McCanny              1999
29. Jim Lawlor                     2000
30. Pat Clifford                     2001
31. Tom Ford                       2002
32. Gerry Healy                   2003
32. Louis Doherty                 2004
33. Ann Clinton                    2005
34. Ann Clinton                    2006
35. Tony Wehrly                  2007
36. Joe McCann                   2008
37. Kevin Quinn Jnr.             2009
38. Fergal Burke                  2010

Over the years the Chamber has become involved in a much wider range of activities and continues to look to the future with a strong team and a focus on the development of services that are unique to a Chamber of Commerce and the needs of its membership.