New Chamber President
At the AGM of the Arklow & District Chamber of Commerce on 7th December Donal Murray was elected as the new Chamber President. In his acceptance speech Mr. Murray thanked the outgoing President, Ann McGovern, for the work she had done during her term of office and outlined his plans for his Chamber Presidency. The success of the Chamber in Arklow depends on having a strong diverse member base. Mr. Murray plans to focus on meeting the business community with the objective of increasing membership in 2017.
Arklow Christmas Festival
The Festival continues this weekend with the Christmas Market and Craft Fair in the Main Street on Sunday. Stalls cost €20 but there are a limited number of free stalls available for recognised charities and transition year mini companies.
Sunday 11th December
Christmas Craft Fair 12pm – 6pm
Majorette Display, Main Street 1pm – 2pm
Arklow Live Crib
Christmas Jumper Competition 12pm – 4.30pm (Registration in McMullans)
AMA Busking Competition 12pm – 6pm (judging from 2pm – 4pm)
Inbhear Mor Performance Ensemble 4pm – 5pm
Prize giving of Christmas Jumper and Busking Competitions 5pm – 5.15pm
Mini Funfair
Saturday 17th December – Festive Photography Prize Giving; Santa Dash; Golden Ticket Draw; Best Window Display Prize Giving; Arklow Panto Creation’s Aladdin Medley.
This year sees the introduction of a GOLDEN TICKET DRAW which has a prize fund of over €2,000 and a FESTIVE PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION sponsored by Chamber Member, 1st Choice Pharmacy.
Look up Arklow Christmas Festival Facebook for full information on all events planned.
Wednesday 28th – Friday 30th December ….. Arklow Panto Creation’s ALADDIN
Christmas Parking
Free parking in Council owned car parks from Friday 2nd December 2016 up to Monday 2nd January 2017 inclusive. Free parking on the street will be restricted to two hours from Friday 2nd December 2016 up to Monday 2nd January 2017 inclusive.
Achievements of John Tyrrell & Sons Boatyard Recognised
On Friday last, 2nd December, an information board was officially unveiled on South Quay opposite Anchor Mews which is built on the site of John Tyrrell & Sons Boatyard. The board which is the result of work by Arklow Tidy Towns and Arklow Maritime Museum was unveiled by the founder’s great grandson, Jimmy Tyrrell and Billy Murray. The unveiling was attended by members of the Tyrrell family and employees of the yard. Jimmy is a current member and former president of the Arklow Chamber.
The yard was opened in 1864 and was internationally recognised for building innovative vessels such as the Ovoca, the first motorised fishing boat in Ireland and the hybrid schooners JT&S and the Invermore. Two of their more well-known achievements were the building of the Gypsy Moth III which won the first trans-Atlantic single-handed boat race and the Asgard II the magnificent national sail training vessel which was lost a few years ago and is sadly missed.
190 Years of Arklow Lifeboat
S.S. Mary & Peter’s Church recently welcomed all those involved with the RNLI in Arklow and the wider community to celebrate 190 years of the RNLI in Arklow. Parish priest, Fr. Martin Cosgrave was the chief celebrant and Michael Fitzgerald of Arklow RNLI gave the main address. All the volunteers currently serving were present. The congregation reflected on the Arklow lifeboat history and the crews who have carried out countless rescues over the 190 years.
