ABOUT WICKLOW TOWN & DISTRICT CHAMBER
Working for you
We are the recognised voice of business and are a strong lobby group within County Wicklow. We aim to build a strong business environment in Wicklow Town & District.
As your local Chamber, we support our members in many ways to help their business succeed and grow. Many of our members are small and medium-sized business owners, and together can unite as a powerful voice that can lobby and represent our members interests.
We offer our members ways to grow and develop their business, see our membership benefits here.
We have been involved in the creation and running of many popular events including the creation of the Wicklowtown.ie website, our yearly Dinner Dance & Business Awards, and the always exciting Taste of Wicklow!
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Since we arrived in Wicklow in the Summer of 2020, Wicklow Town & District Chamber has been an invaluable resource to us here at King’s Gala. The level of support provided by Wicklow & District Chamber has been second to none.
Marie Corrigan, Hr Manager, King Group
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2021 Chamber Council
Matt Forkin
President
The current president of the
Wicklow Chamber
Wicklow businessman Matt Forkin has been elected President of Wicklow Town and District Chamber of Commerce for 2021.
Founder and Managing Director of REA Forkin Estate Agents, Matt has developed and expanded his business in Wicklow Town and Bray during the past 12 years. A native of Wicklow Town, Matt attended De la Salle College and was also involved in a variety of local sports clubs including Wicklow Rugby Club, Wicklow Swimming Club and Blainroe Golf Club, where he is still an active member.
Matt has been a member of the Chamber of Commerce since 2013 and a member of the Chamber Council since 2016. He has served on numerous Chamber committees including the IT committee that developed the Wicklowtown.ie website that was launched in 2019.
Brian Murray
Brian Murray Financial Services (Treasurer)
Pascal Burke
Marketing & Management Services
Anna Thornton
DNG Thornton Properties
Stephen Delaney
The Shoe Box (Vice President)
John Smith
Smiths of Wicklow
Ed Horgan
ELH Electric Events
Samantha King
King Hair & Beauty
Matt Forkin
Forkin Estates (Chamber President)
History of the Chamber
Wicklow Town & District Chamber of Commerce was formed on May 12th, 1948 by the Wicklow Development Association, chaired by State Solicitor A.B. Cullen. On May 28th, the first meeting was held. Its stated aims were to “act and agitate in Wicklow’s economic and social interests.”
The first AGM of Wicklow Chamber of Commerce in July 1948 elected Yorkshire man and Managing Director of the Dublin & Wicklow Manure Company, Albert Pearson as President.
About Wicklow Town
Wicklow Town
Wicklow Town is the administrative centre of County Wicklow, situated on the east coast of the County at the mouth of the Vartry river. Wicklow is located 30 miles (50kms) south of Dublin, in the southern Hinterland of the Greater Dublin Area and one mile off the National Primary Route N11, on the east coast railway line.
The Local Economy
Wicklow is a County Town and hosts the headquarters of Wicklow County Council in addition to the offices of Wicklow Urban District Council. Industrial activity (light, medium and heavy) is accommodated in an industrial zone discretely located to the north of the town and adjacent to the Harbour, which accommodates a mix of port-related and tourism-related activity.
This solid manufacturing and commercial base are complemented by a busy professional services sector (legal, accountancy, insurance, banking), and tourism/recreation sector (tourism attractions, guesthouses, sports clubs).
The Town Centre itself is a truly unique offering of local retailers that provide boutique shopping with independent local retailers, as well as delicious culinary experiences in modern cafés, bars and restaurants.
Amenities / Quality of Life
Wicklow Town, although less than one hour from the amenities of Dublin City centre, is surrounded by some of the most impressive natural landscapes in the Country.
Within the town itself, there are many natural and historical attractions such as the Murrough, Wicklow Port, Wicklow Gaol and The Black Castle. Just a short drive away and you can visit the beautiful Mount Usher Gardens, The National Garden Exhibition Centre, Powerscourt Estate, Avondale House and Forest Park, Glendalough, and the Parnell National Memorial Park in Rathdrum.
The mountains, lakes and coastal areas all around offer a vast range of leisure options for residents including swimming, diving, climbing, walking, riding, and fishing. The town has many gyms, a swimming pool, and sports clubs of all kinds including soccer, GAA, rugby, tennis, sailing and golf. Food and drinks are well-serviced in the town with many high-quality restaurants, coffee shops, cafés and bars within the locality.
Many exciting events are held throughout the year including the Taste of Wicklow and the Wicklow Regatta.
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