Chamber President hosts Minister Helen McEntee at her first President’s Dinner

(More photos at the end of this piece)

Kilkenny Chamber of Commerce welcomed Minister for Foreign Affairs, Trade and Defence, Helen McEntee TD, as Guest of Honour at its President’s Dinner held at the Newpark Hotel on Thursday evening 7th May.

Almost 80 local business representatives, elected officials and key stakeholders from across Kilkenny City and County attended this event which marked the first President’s Dinner for the new Chamber President Claire McInerney Brown.

Among those in attendance were Cathaoirleach Cllr Mary Hilda Cavanagh, Minister of State Jennifer Murnane O’Connor TD, Deputy Mayor Cllr Maria Dollard, local TDs Catherine Callaghan, Peter ‘Chap’ Cleere and Leas Cheann Comhairle John McGuinness, Aileen McGrath Kilkenny County Council, Dr. Frances Hardiman from SETU, Mary McEvoy IDA and the broader business community.

In her welcoming address, Chamber President Claire McInerney Brown acknowledged the honour of hosting Minister McEntee, highlighted the significance of the Minister’s portfolio to regional enterprise, noting that trade, foreign affairs and defence each play a direct role in shaping the economic future of Kilkenny.

Speaking at the event, she said “Since Brexit, our local exporters, from agri-food and engineering to services and the tourism industries, have felt both the challenge and opportunity of adapting. The reconfiguration of supply chains and market access has required agility, and Kilkenny enterprises have responded with resilience”

Claire also referenced the role of Ireland’s global diplomatic network with particular emphasis on how embassies and trade missions support exporters by opening doors overseas and building long-term economic relationships.

Defence and its local impact formed another key theme, with recognition given to the important role of James Stephens Barracks in Kilkenny’s community and economy, where Minister McEntee had visited earlier that afternoon.

The evening featured a Fireside Chat between Minister McEntee and local broadcaster John Purcell, a former Chamber President and CEO of KCLR, focusing on the challenges and opportunities facing Irish businesses, and particularly Kilkenny businesses, in an increasingly complex global environment.

The Minister spoke about her extensive portfolios, covering topics as diverse as the importance of the St. Patrick’s Day diplomacy missions across the world, Cyber Security with a particular reference to Child Safety and the global political unrest and its implications for Ireland.

Looking ahead, the discussion also touched on Ireland’s upcoming Presidency of the Council of the European Union and the opportunities it presents to drive competitiveness, innovation and economic resilience at both national and regional level.

Closing the evening, President McInerney Brown thanked Minister McEntee for her engagement and reiterated the Chamber’s commitment to ensuring that the strong voice of Kilkenny enterprise continues to be heard at national and international level. She also pledged assistance to the Minister during the upcoming Presidency of the Council of the EU.

See Gallery of Photographs below.