Chambers Ireland Centenary Celebration

Drogheda and District Chamber of Commerce were proud to be part of a unique 100th celebration in the hallowed surroundings of St Patrick's Hall at Dublin Castle.

The event was the centenary of the formation of the Irish Association of Chambers of Commerce, addressed by Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, former President, Mary Robinson and European Commissioner Mairead McGuinness.

Mairead McGuinness EU Commissioner with Drogheda Chamber President Hubert Murphy

Drogheda's role in the foundation of the association was one of the key drivers in the success of the early years of the new group.

"The President of the Drogheda Chamber, Mr R Webster and Mr Ed McArdle were two of the initial founder members at the first meeting in the Shelbourne Hotel in March 1923, so for our chamber to be still a key part of the organisation a century on, it says a lot for the role of commerce by the Boyneside to this day,' chamber president Hubert Murphy stated.

Later, Ed McArdle went on to be president of the national association in 1929.

"The goals of Drogheda and District Chamber remain the same a century on and indeed, we were formed back in the 1800s, so we predate even the national association."