National Recognition for Tralee Chamber’s Community-Led Revitalisation of Castle Street
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 this evening at a meeting of the Chamber’s Steering Committee, held at the Meadowlands Hotel.
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 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.
Colette O’Connor, CEO of Tralee Chamber, said: “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.”
Declan O’Malley, Senior Executive Planner with Kerry County Council, added: “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.”
Virginia Teehan, CEO of the Heritage Council, stated: “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.”
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.
Members of the Steering Committee of Tralee Chamber Alliance Left to Right: Dermot O’Sullivan – Manor West Retail Park, Brendan Culloty – Hugh Culloty’s, Eamon Cunningham – Kerry County Council, Marguerite Lynch – Bank of Ireland, Noranne Stack – Enercon, John Reen – Chairperson of Steering Group, Pamela Prendiville – Ashe & Manor West Hotels, Siobhán Ní Mhathúna – Meadowlands Hotel, Siobhán Donnelly – Cara Credit Union, Alan O’Shea – O’Shea Insurance, Stephen Stack – President of Tralee Chamber, Colette O’Connor – CEO of Tralee Chamber, Cllr. Mikey Sheehy – Kerry County Council, Daire McCann – Crean McCann Property, Tadhg Casey – Tadhg Casey Architects, Kevin McCarthy – Garvey Group, Sandra Rusk – Weardrobe