Over 200 local business representatives attended this year’s Newry Chamber President’s Banquet on Friday 17th October in the Canal Court Hotel, Newry kindly supported by the hotel, Wood Innovations and Ulster Bank, Principal Sponsors of the event which is one of the highlights of the business year in the city.
The Chamber’s exceptional, inspirational and charismatic President, Edwina Flynn who is now nearing the end of her two-year term, delivered a superb President’s Address on the day, a wonderful reflection on leadership, progress and community.
Guest Speaker for this year’s President’s Banquet was Jarlath Burns, a man who has worn many hats including, Armagh Captain, School Principal, Respected Sports Commentator, and now, President of the GAA, one of the largest amateur sporting organisations in the world.
We were also delighted to help raise £3,500 with our Charity Raffle due to the incredible generosity of our guests for the Chamber’s 2025 Charity Partner, Women’s Aid Armagh Down.
This takes the total raised from our fundraising efforts this year to over £12,000 for Women’s Aid, an amazing local charity who provide such a vital service for many vulnerable people within our local community.
During her speech, Edwina Flynn, President of Newry Chamber of Commerce & Trade reflected on her two years in office and the progress the Chamber is making in promoting the economic needs of the region locally, nationally and internationally. She said:
“Like all good reflections, my mind was drawn to the moments that made it to the highlight reel of my presidency, 2023-2025.”
“I thought of all the coffees and conversations, meetings and moments, speeches and smiles, I thought of all the faces I’ve seen, the hands shaken, the encouragement given, and wisdom shared. I thought of this time last year , when we welcomed our First & deputy First Minister, here to Newry to the Canal Court Hotel.”
“I thought of laughter and selfies from Washington to Westminster, from the Oireachtas to back home here to Newry. I thought of connection and partnership and if collaboration really is the true currency of leadership, then Newry is one of the richest of them all.”
“And “if in dreams begin responsibility” then in Newry we dream bold and lead wisely. And if “show me your friends, and I’ll show you who you are becoming” really is the measuring stick of where we’re going, then I feel deeply honoured through my presidency to have been shown the friends of Newry and to have caught a glimpse of the Newry we are becoming.”
“For I can show you friends that stretch across the world who are already talking about Newry’s future and potential. And I can show you the optimists, the believers, the connectors, the dreamers
who see what Newry can be, not just what it has been.”
“And I can show you the doers often working quietly behind the scenes, pushing for better, even when the odds are stacked against them. And I can show you a community that believes it deserves a seat at every table and isn’t afraid to use its voice and I will show you a region that refuses to be left behind. And I am proud that Newry Chamber has been at the heart of those connections – a catalyst for change and the promotor of progress.”
Feargal McCormack Receives the Newry Chamber President’s Award
The Banquet also marked the fourth year of the Chamber President’s Award. The President’s Award is the most prestigious award presented by the Chamber and bestowed upon visionary leaders from our local business community.
The award celebrates not just business leadership, but a lasting contribution to our local economy and community, those who use their success to make a wider difference and who also inspire entrepreneurs of the future.
This year’s recipient of the award was Feargal McCormack, Founder of FPM Chartered Accountants. Previous recipients of the prestigious award include, posthumously to the late, great Brian Conlon and Lord Ballyedmond in 2022, Founder of Glen Dimplex, Martin Naughton in 2023 and last year, Paddy and John McParland, Owners of the Canal Court Hotel & Spa.
Feargal is a much-cherished, highly respected and deep-rooted member of our local business community, who founded FPM Chartered Accountants in Newry back in 1991 and grew into one of Ireland’s leading advisory businesses.
Along with the help of his colleagues past and present which Feargal is always the first to mention, he grew a business that not only set new standards of professionalism but pioneered new models of growth and partnership including the very first private equity merger of its kind in Ireland, with AAB in 2022.
Even as he steps back from their day-to-day leadership role as Head of Ireland for the firm, for anyone who knows Feargal, he is not someone who sits still and continues to serve as Senior Partner & Head of Family Business for AAB Group, supporting entrepreneurs across this island to build stronger, more sustainable enterprises.
Feargal’s leadership has reached far beyond his own business through roles as President of Chartered Accountants Ireland, Pro-Chancellor of Queen’s University Belfast, Chairman of the GAA National Finance Committee in Croke Park and Patron of Special Olympics Ireland. Feargal has also been recognised by both Ulster University and Queen’s University Belfast with honorary doctorates for his contribution to business and to society.
Feargal is a very humble man, a proud Warrenpoint man and a proud family man, they are his pride and joy, and it was a privilege to have his wife, Anne and son Ruairi with us at the event to see Feargal receive the prestigious Newry Chamber President’s Award.
ENDS
CLANRYE NEWS 