Tralee Chamber is proudly celebrating a major national achievement, having been awarded the 2025 Chambers Ireland Award for Community Support Initiative for its visionary heritage-led project, “Castle Street – Looking to the Past for the Future.” The prestigious award was presented last week at a ceremony in Kildare, and the accomplishment was marked locally at a meeting of the Chamber’s Steering Committee, held at the Meadowlands Hotel.
"Castle Street is a beautiful reminder that our future is strongest when it’s grounded in our past. This project is a symbol of what’s possible when communities, experts, and local government come together with a shared purpose. It’s a proud moment for Tralee, and one that aligns with our ambition to position Tralee and Kerry as places where people choose to live, learn, and work."
Colette O’Connor, CEO of Tralee Chamber
A Reimagining of Heritage
The Castle Street initiative reimagines one of Tralee’s most historic streets—honouring its architectural heritage while transforming it into a vibrant, people-focused space for civic life, storytelling, and community connection. This national recognition underscores the Chamber’s growing reputation as a driver of innovative, place-based regeneration.
This is the second year in a row Tralee Chamber has received a national award from Chambers Ireland, following its 2024 win in the Biodiversity and Sustainability category. Together, these accolades reflect the Chamber’s sustained leadership in delivering impactful, future-focused projects that enrich the town and region.
"The Heritage Council is committed to empowering communities and ensuring that our heritage is preserved and celebrated by all. The Community Heritage Grant Scheme supports communities across Ireland to protect their places, stories, and traditions and we are delighted to see the collaborative effort by the community in Tralee through the Castle St Conservation project be recognised nationally by this Chambers Ireland Community Support Award."
Virginia Teehan, CEO of the Heritage Council
Collaboration & Partnerships
The project was made possible through collaboration between key community partners: Victoria McCarthy, Conservation Officer with Kerry County Council; Mike Lynch, former County Archivist; Aidan Turner, Tralee Chamber Vibrant Tralee Sub Group; Kevin McCarthy, Tralee Tidy Towns; and Colette O’Connor, CEO of Tralee Chamber. Funding was provided by The Heritage Council and Kerry County Council, enabling a powerful fusion of heritage conservation and community-driven design.
"Tralee has been designated as a ‘Destination Town’ where the revitalisation of Castle St and the town centre is a priority to achieve an excellent quality environment and public realm that strengthen Tralee’s sense of place and identity. This project will help create a ‘sense of place’ through the development of an attractive, liveable, vibrant, and well-maintained urban streetscape that has diverse and integrated communities. This project further aims to enhance the Tralee experience, increase footfall, business and make Tralee more accessible and attractive to shoppers, visitors and investors."
Declan O’Malley, Senior Executive Planner with Kerry County Council
A community With a shared vision
Tralee Chamber Alliance is the largest business representative network in Kerry, dedicated to supporting and promoting the interests of businesses in the region. Through a range of initiatives and collaborations, the Chamber strives to make Tralee and Kerry a fantastic place to live, work, and visit.
With continued momentum from initiatives such as Castle Street and the Vibrant Tralee programme, Tralee Chamber is driving forward a bold vision for the future—one rooted in community, creativity, and shared ambition. This evening’s gathering of the Steering Committee at the Meadowlands Hotel, pictured with the national award, highlights the diverse, committed group working together to shape a stronger, more vibrant Tralee and a thriving Kerry business community.
