GoCar is in Carrick on Shannon

GoCar is Ireland’s largest car and van sharing service, with over 1000 vehicles available to book nationwide.

GoCar cars are available now in Carrick on Shannon in 2 locations in Lidl carpark and in Town Centre carpark. You can rent a GoCar for as little as an hour or as long as a fortnight!

You can book a GoCar from 5 minutes in advance to 6 weeks depending on availability. Once you have made your booking you arrive to your selected GoCar and hold your GoCard up to the windscreen, wait for the doors to open and then hop in! Enter your PIN into the console in the glove box and take the keys and go!

To find out more go to https://www.gocar.ie/

Have a pleasant journey!

Carrick on Shannon Chamber has announced the appointment of Finola Armstrong-McGuire.

Carrick on Shannon Chamber has announced the appointment of Finola Armstrong-McGuire as its new President following its meeting on 9th January 2024. Finola replaces the outgoing President Colm McGrath. Finola brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the role. She has long standing roots in the town and community as a whole through her local Business, The Magnet – Baby, Children and Ladies Wear, as well as through her time as a Councillor. She will continue to support local businesses as well as promoting economic development in the region. Finola expressed her thanks to Colm for all his hard work and commitment during his time as President.
Chief Operations Officer Brendan Dee also outlined some of the Chambers planned activities for 2024, starting with a social night which is open to both members and all potential members. This will take place in Tipsy Tailors Bar on Friday, 2nd February, from 5:30pm to 7pm. This will be quickly followed by the St Patricks Day Parade (17th March) and an Easter event (31st March) before leading into the Summer events: Carrick Carnival (30th May to 03rd June) and Carrick Camino (31st August). As if that isn’t enough, further events will take place at Halloween and before Christmas in Carrick in 2024. Quite a year ahead and we look forward to seeing everyone at some, or all, of these events during 2024.
On the picture – Finola Armstrong-McGuire (The Magnet) is presented with the chain of office by outgoing President Colm McGrath (Brady Insurance). Also pictured is Brendan Dee, Chief Operations Officer of the Chamber.
Picture by Gerry Faughnan Photography,

Carrick Chamber Newsletter

Welcome to the Carrick Chamber Newsletter

Achievements in 2023

  • The Fairtrade event held in February
  • The St Patricks Day parade
  • The very successful Carrick Camino
  • The Chambers support of:
    • The USAFE Life Buoy with Rapid River Rescue
    • The canopies used for Taste of Carrick and the Christmas Markets
    • The Christmas Markets
    • Tidy Towns
      • Irelands Best kept town in 2023
      • Retained their GOLD status in 2023 increasing their score from 2022
    • The Chambers on-going support to:
      • The Purple Flag / Ambassadors initiative
      • Supporting business initiatives with Leitrim County Council
        • LECP – Local Economic & Community Plan
        • Town Team & Town Master Plan
      • Business Watch presentation in conjunction with the Gardai
      • Halloween event
      • Christmas in Carrick

I would like to thank all the businesses for their support in all these events, both through their presence and financial support where needed. This was very evident recently during the Christmas period when all businesses made a huge effort to have their premises looking festive and colourful.

As we face into another year, we will aim to bring many more events into the town to increase footfall and continue to promote Carrick as the place to Be, Do, Explore, Eat, Stay and Shop.

Upcoming events

  • 02nd February 2024, Tipsy Tailors, 5:30pm to 7:00pm
    First Social event of the year, we will aim to hold these quarterly. This is a great time to interact with your peers and, at this this initial meeting late January, may be a good time to discuss the Christmas period.
  • 13th February – Next Chamber Meeting – new members always welcome!

Training / Workshops available this month

  • Local Enterprise Office

    • One-to One Business advice clinic
    • Available all year round
      • These short and snappy one-to-one clinics are a great opportunity to discuss your business with a mentor and find out about the financial assistance, mentoring support, and training courses on offer at LEO
    • Practical & Honest analysis of your business
    • Available all year round
      • With energy costs increasing, inflation impacting on supply chain, and consumers becoming more cost conscious, every business is seeking to reduce costs. Our expert mentors can help you to identify ways to reduce costs and stay competitive. Book a 45-minute one-to-one with our expert mentors to see how you can make small changes to make a big difference.
    • Small business accounts
    • 16th January 2024 9:30am to 1pm
      • The aim of this course is to impact confidence in working with Business’s books and records and develop an understanding of small business accounts.
    • A layman’s guide to VAT
    • 23rd January 2024 9:30am to 1pm and repeated on 30th January
      • The aim of this training is to give participants a detailed understanding of VAT and the implications of VAT registration on their business.
    • How to submit your income tax return (Form 11) on ROS
    • 06th February 2024 9:30am to 12:30pm
      • This course is suitable for Sole Traders, Partnerships, Company Directors and Landlords.

All of the above can be booked on-line at https://www.localenterprise.ie/Leitrim/Training-Events/Online-Bookings/

Topic of the Month – Free Business Mentoring

The Local Enterprise Office (LEO) offers one to one support in various aspects of business management including business planning, finance, marketing etc. This support is available to business employing less than 10 employees within Co. Leitrim.

Having a business mentor can help you look at your business objectively and can assist you to consider all the options for moving the business forward. A mentor is someone who can help you to work through your ideas and plans for the business while at the same time sharing with you their extensive experience and knowledge.

The mentor support programmes have been developed to provide micro – businesses with a resource in the form of experienced professionals who will assist in overcoming the many obstacles that the business will face at various stages. There is a wide range of expertise available through our mentor panel. 

Areas of support typically include:

  • Business Planning & Strategy
  • Financial Planning & Management
  • Market Research & Development
  • Marketing & Promotion
  • Operations Management
  • Managing Human Resources
  • Social Media

For further information and an application form please contact the Local Enterprise Office on 071 – 9650420 or info@leo.leitrimcoco.ie 

Other items of interest

Irish Business Against Litter (https://ibal.ie/) representatives have been around the town in January and Carrick on Shannon has achieved 9th place in the Country. Well done to all businesses and to Carrick on Shannon Tidy Towns Volunteers for their efforts. It is important we continue to keep the town litter free at all times.

LCC Climate action – Expression of Interest Applications are now open for the Community Climate Action Fund. Closing date for applications is Wednesday 28th February 2024. Applications are available here: https://ecs.page.link/Zh44L

Carrick-on-Shannon Joint Local Area Plan

Leitrim and Roscommon County Councils have commenced the preparation of the Joint Carrick-on-Shannon Local Area Plan 2024-2030.

The Plan will be the first joint Plan for the town and will have a strong focus on the development of both the Carrick-on-Shannon and Cortober areas of the town.

Local input is considered vital to the entire process.

You can make a submission and have your say by clicking the link and filling out the form: 

https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/286c6a40a8f546fb8e42f37cd58fa32f

Closing date for Submissions or Observations is 1st December 2023.

 

Carrick Chamber appoint new Chief Operating Officer

Carrick-on-Shannon Chamber of Commerce are pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Brendan Dee as their new Chief Operating Officer.

The Carrick-on-Shannon native had a long and successful career with Masonite Ireland in Procurement spanning over 25 years, working with Masonite plants in Europe, Asia and America and working with suppliers globally.

A graduate of ATU, he started his career in Aer Lingus in Dublin Airport but the pull of home brought him back to Carrick-on-Shannon when Masonite was established in 1996. 

Brendan was also chairman of Carrick Carnival for 6 years, so he brings a wealth of knowledge and has great connections in our business community.

His reputation for being organized goes before him. He is certain to bring these abilities along with his good humour and networking ability to the Chamber.

First on the list of tasks is our Christmas Lights and Carrick Christmas activities. Brendan has already started the Go Fund Me page for the lights and is working with our committees in getting the necessary elements and people in place.

The Chamber are delighted to have Brendan on board and wish him every success in this position.

 Source: Leitrim Live, by Donal O’Grady, PCarrick_Print-05129-1697112473180icture by Gerry Faughnan

 

USAFE Life Buoy for Carrick on Shannon-Leitrim Observer News

On this week’s Leitrim Observer and Roscommon Herald – Well done to Carrick Chamber for funding the new USAFE Life Buoy. Pictured are Carrick On Shannon Chamber President Colm McGrath with Sharon Garland, Chairperson, Carrick on Shannon Rapid River Responders, and James Reihill from Smart Medical. Also pictured are Cllr. Finola Armstrong-McGuire, Cllr. Sean McGowan, Cllr. Enda Stenson, Cllr Paddy Farrell, Cllr. Tom Mulligan, with volunteers and committee members.
More info –
Carrick on Shannon Rapid River Responders are delighted to announce the arrival of our USAFE Life Buoy. This is a remote-controlled life buoy which means that people assist in a rescue without having to enter the water or put themselves at risk. It has a range of 750metres and can travel up to 15km per hour. The life buoy is designed to aid in rescue so you can get to the casualty quickly and keep them buoyant in the water until the rescue services arrive. The buoy can keep several casualties afloat at the same time and could possibly bring one or two people to the shore it can carry up to 200kg and travel around 5km per hour.
Carrick on Shannon Rapid River Responders would like to thank Carrick on Shannon Chamber of Commerce for funding this state-of-the-art piece of equipment which has huge potential to help save lives.
If you would like to know more about the USAFE life buoy or Carrick on Shannon Rapid River Responders, please find us on Facebook or email carrickrrr@outlook.com
Keep an eye on our Facebook page to see regular updates on demonstrations and upcoming training.
Picture by Gerry Faughnan

Carrick Tidy Towns volunteers receive donation from Carrick Camino

Paul O’Brien, from OBN Financial handed over a cheque to the Carrick on Shannon Tidy Towns volunteers. Paul is one of the organisers of the Carrick Camino and these funds were raised by this event. Carrick on Shannon Tidy Towns volunteers do amazing work around the town. They have many exciting upcoming projects and these funds will help in achieving their goals.

 

 

Carrick Camino 2023

Carrick on Shannon was hosting another very successful Carrick Camino 2023 organised by the Carrick on Shannon Chamber of Commerce members. This event brought many visitors to Carrick on Shannon, along many locals attending the 35 km walk.

Well done to all who attended and to everyone who helped with the organisation of the event. Many local businesses were sponsoring and many volunteers were involved. Thank you to everyone for a memorable day.

Some great pictures by Gerry Faughnan Photography.                    374762957_852702199564553_4925499889637195002_n374684756_852702269564546_244702916742748299_nCamino 2023374734147_852701849564588_9048406551160948917_n374694286_852702099564563_7881051839726558563_n374691937_852702172897889_1328393422135013194_n374684760_852702716231168_1277843910475644937_n374649995_852701712897935_8927822661862769293_n374647018_852702679564505_8861692459891259285_n371935609_852701679564605_1507374110859869533_n371923323_852701699564603_5534000392670318510_n371923126_852702309564542_2150776545752564836_n