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All seven chambers in County Kerry have joined forces this week in an historic move aimed at creating jobs, developing infrastructure and sourcing funding and investment

Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce will be joined in the new group by the chambers from Tralee, Kenmare, Dingle, Killorglin, Listowel and Castleisland. Senior officials were quick to clarify that each chamber will remain autonomous and independent of each other, but that they will collaborate on key projects and support each other on local and regional issues. They will also combine resources to further support their own individual business member’s interests.

Speaking to the Killarney Advertiser, President of Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce Paul O’Neill said it was a positive move.

“We’re looking to see if there are areas that would be common to all of us,” he said. “Infrastructure is the obvious one, as well as jobs. I think there are various things that we can work together on. It’s very early stages – we’ve just had our first initial meeting – but we think there will be strength in numbers. When there’s a common purpose, that will benefit the whole county.”

The seven Kerry chambers who will now be working together:

- Dingle Business Chamber

- Tralee Chamber Alliance

- Kenmare Chamber of Commerce

- Castleisland Chamber Alliance

- Killorglin Chamber Alliance

- Listowel Chamber Alliance

- Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce