Tipperary Chamber marks 100 years with big vision for towns and talent

The County Tipperary Chamber marked a major milestone this week with a special Mayoral Reception at Clonmel Town Hall, celebrating 100 years of business leadership while outlining a bold, county-wide vision for the future of enterprise.

Founded in April 1925 by local business leaders including John F. O’Gorman, a respected coachbuilder, and William Magner, the name behind Bulmers, the Chamber has grown from its Clonmel roots into the leading business organisation for all of Tipperary—representing more than 600 members across towns, villages, and rural areas countywide.

In her address, Michelle Aylward, the Chamber’s first female CEO, stated:
“We built the past. Now we fight for the future. Our town centres are struggling. The global landscape is shifting. It’s time for business to lead—not just in words, but in action.”

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Now Representing All of Tipperary

The Chamber leads:

• The Love Tipperary Gift Card, accepted in 300+ outlets with 0% commission, keeping local spend in the local economy
• The County Tipperary Chamber Skillnet, which has delivered more than 100 upskilling programmes in 2024
• Community initiatives like Clonmel Community Conversations and Connecting Women in Work, which unite and empower business voices across all sectors

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“We are not just an office in Clonmel. We are the voice, the network, and the platform for every business in County Tipperary,” Aylward said.

Acknowledging 100 Years of Bulmers Membership

A special moment on the night was the Chamber’s recognition of Bulmers Clonmel — one of its founding members — for 100 years of continuous membership and support.

Founded by William Magner, Bulmers was not only part of the Chamber’s origin story in 1925, but also hosted its offices in earlier years. In recognition of this enduring relationship, the Chamber presented Bulmers with a special commemorative membership award during the evening.

“It’s a powerful reminder of how deeply business and community are connected in Tipperary,” said Aylward. “To honour Bulmers a century later, in the very town where it all began, was a fitting tribute to our shared legacy.”

Business Leading the Way: A BID for Clonmel

The Chamber also announced its partnership with the Clonmel Town Team to establish a Business Improvement District (BID) — a proven model where businesses lead the revitalisation of their own town centres through joint investment in marketing, public realm, safety, and events.

“We can’t wait for help. We have to lead. A BID puts that power in our hands — and we are ready to use it,” Aylward said.

Honouring a Legacy of Leadership

Mayor Pat English paid tribute to past Chamber presidents from Clonmel, including Kathleen Maher, Vera Hewitt, Ricky Fitzgerald, and Valerie O’Reilly, and acknowledged the Chamber’s deep civic influence over decades.

Sarah Fogarty of Nenagh, the Chamber’s first-ever President from Nenagh, now leads the organisation — reflecting its broader reach and inclusivity.

Cllr Richie Molloy also recognised the Chamber’s civic contributions, including its leadership in Clonmel’s twinning with Peoria, Illinois.

A Century Marked. A New One Begins.

The event included a display of original Chamber records — including minutes from the 1940s, letters of protest, civic advocacy, and 1960s invoices showing £1 and £3 membership fees — some signed from the Bulmers premises itself.

“This isn’t a closing chapter. It’s a fresh page,” said Aylward in closing. “We owe it to the past to shape the future. The next century of Tipperary business begins now — and we are ready.”