History

Founded on 6th June 1947, the County Carlow Chamber of Commerce has been a cornerstone of local enterprise for nearly eight decades. Its inaugural meeting tackled practical issues like traffic congestion and parking—early signs of the Chamber’s commitment to improving everyday business life.

Not long after, the Chamber took action on communication challenges, writing to the local Postmaster to address delays in receiving Cross Channel newspapers and frequent telephone interruptions. That advocacy led to three local traders installing private telephones in their homes—a small but meaningful win for connectivity and commerce.

Since then the issues facing the business community may have changed – but the Chamber has remained the constant voice of support, progress and development.

In the 1990’s and into the early 2000’s much of the focus was on regeneration and improvement – pushing for investment in our county to make it a more attractive location to live, work and do business.

More recently the focus has been on increasing the voice of Carlow by pushing for greater representation at national level.  In 2024 County Carlow Chamber of Commerce launched the Vote Carlow Campaign – encouraging Carlow citizens to use their vote to increase the number of TD’s in the county.  In a shared constituency of 5 seats, Carlow had for decades secured just 1 seat.  The campaign was a success securing 2 Dail seats for Carlow-based candidates – and coming very close to securing a third.

Today, the Chamber represents a vibrant network of over 220 businesses across County Carlow and its surrounding region. From solo entrepreneurs to multinational corporations, members span every sector of the local economy.

At its heart, the Chamber is a dynamic, member-driven organisation. It thrives on the energy, ideas, and commitment of its members, advocating for their interests and championing initiatives that support economic and social development.

Whether it’s influencing policy, fostering innovation, or creating networking opportunities, the Chamber is always open to input and responsive to the evolving needs of its community.

County Carlow Chamber of Commerce isn’t just a voice for business—it’s a catalyst for growth, collaboration, and regional pride.