Bray & District Chamber Launches Landmark 70th Anniversary Celebration
Celebrating 70 years of service, the Bray & District Chamber of Commerce continues to be a proactive and influential voice for local businesses. It champions initiatives that support businesses of all sizes, helping them to prosper in Bray while contributing to the strength of the wider community. To mark seven decades of community leadership, business advocacy and economic development, the Chamber has unveiled its comprehensive 70th Anniversary Communications Campaign. The campaign will culminate in a 70th Anniversary Gala and President’s Dinner on Friday, November 6th 2026, at the Glenview Hotel, Co. Wicklow.
Founded in 1956 by a visionary group of local shopkeepers, hoteliers, and industrial pioneers, the Chamber was established to create a unified advocacy body during a pivotal moment of mid-century economic growth. Over the past 70 years, the organisation has played a vital behind-the-scenes role in shaping North Wicklow’s physical and economic landscape—championing critical infrastructure upgrades, town-centre access improvements, sustainable tourism drives, and commercial enterprise networks.
A major public-facing component of the 70th-anniversary programme is the Chamber Heritage & Archive Project, launched in direct collaboration with the Bray Cualann Historical Society. The initiative seeks to collect, digitise, and preserve seven decades of local commercial social history.
The Chamber is issuing a public appeal to current and former business owners, multi-generational trading families, retired Chamber members, and local residents to submit historical materials, including:
- Historic Photographs: Storefronts, seafront trading, factory floors, and former Chamber networking dinners.
- Commercial Documents: Original membership cards, trade newsletters, early event programmes, and historic newspaper clippings.
- Memorabilia: Vintage print advertisements, shop counter signage, and personal oral history reflections.
Selected archival submissions will be featured in a Commemorative Souvenir Booklet and displayed during an interactive foyer exhibition at the November Gala at the Glenview Hotel.
Speaking on the launch of the campaign, Jonathan Donnelly, President of the Bray & District Chamber of Commerce, stated:
“Seventy years is a remarkable milestone, but this anniversary is about far more than looking back. Celebrating 70 years of service, the Bray & District Chamber of Commerce remains a proactive and influential voice for commerce, championing initiatives that help businesses of all sizes thrive in the vibrant town of Bray while strengthening the wider community.”
“From the pioneer shopkeepers and hotel operators who established our coastal economy in 1956 to the dynamic startups, film production crews, technology firms, and professional service providers operating today, this campaign belongs to the entire community that built Bray. Our theme, 70 Years Advancing Business Together, reflects how collective advocacy protects independent trade while paving the way for future investment.”
“As we launch our archive appeal with the Bray Cualann Historical Society and open ticket sales for our President’s Dinner, we invite every business owner, past leader, and resident across North Wicklow to share their piece of Chamber history and help us shape an ambitious agenda for the next 70 years of local enterprise.”
The anniversary strategy is anchored by four themed pillars designed to engage both legacy enterprises and young entrepreneurs:
- THEN (1956–2026): Highlighting the founders, past presidents, historic main streets, and landmark civic campaigns that laid Bray’s economic foundation.
- NOW: Showcasing current Chamber members, independent traders, and ongoing advocacy in town-centre trade and infrastructure.
- NEXT: Focusing on young entrepreneurs, startup incubators, green business transitions, and the future economic roadmap for North Wicklow.
- CELEBRATE: Bringing the regional business community together for the Gala & President’s Dinner on 6th November at the Glenview Hotel.
Historical photographs and trade artefacts from businesses or members of the public may be submitted directly to history@braychamber.ie. Reservations are also now open for individual tickets, corporate tables of 10, and corporate sponsorship packages. Interested parties can contact Kathy at the Bray Chamber office by phone at 01 282 8248 or email at info@braychamber.ie.
Explore our dedicated 70th Anniversary Hub, view historical milestones, and more at braychamber.ie/70years
Pictured above (left to right) are Bray and District Chamber of Commerce President Jonathan Donnelly alongside chamber members Patrick George (George Maguire Properties), Michele McNerney (Kilcroney Furniture), Ruth Donnelly (Alpha CC), Kieran Ward (Condor Publishers), Michael O’Brien (Grace Campbell Wines), and Mark Maguire (Maguire McNeice Law).
Event hashtags: #BrayChamber70 #BusinessAdvocacy #TownCentreFirst #WicklowEconomy #AdvancingBusinessTogether