Doing the business on boat tours of the Barrow and Grand Canal in Athy

North Kildare Chamber of Commerce hosted its 'First Friday’ networking event in association with Athy Enterprise as it launched boat tours on the River Barrow and Grand Canal. Kildare Co Council also held a design consultation event on the future development of Emily Square and its environs. There was a great turn out of business owners from the South Kildare area including local politicians. The ribbon-cutting and champagne-popping honours were performed on the day by the new Mayor of Kildare, Cllr Ivan Keatley, on his first official engagement. Hundreds of local residents, business owners and visitors took the opportunity to meet and discuss plans for the town with the urban designers from the Paul Hogarth Company. Athy has a relatively unique location with both a river and canal passing through it and maximizing their tourism potential is crucial to developing local enterprise. Kildare Co. Council’s Lucina Russell (Arts Officer) and Joe Boland (Director of Services/Athy Municipal District Manager)   Mairead Hennessy (Taxkey), Linda Gill Ryan (Essential Safety), Mayor Ivan Keatley, Bernadette Doyle (Healing Hands) Michael and Anna Connaughton (Connaughton Auctioneers), Pat Dunne (Paddy Dunne’s Bar + Lounge)   Allan Shine (North Kildare Chamber CEO), James Hennessy (Paul Hogarth Company/Urban Designers) and Adrian Conlan (Chair, Local Enterprise Sub-Committee - Athy Enterprise Network).