Westport Chamber AGM

Dermott Langan, Westport Chamber president and Deputy Keira Keogh, TD.

Westport Chamber Annual General Meeting took place on Monday, July 28, at 7 p.m. in the Leeson Enterprise Centre.

Keynote Speakers

Speaking at the meeting, Director of sales and marketing, Siobhán O’Sullivan, has recently joined Westport Estate with huge expertise in high-end hospitality. Siobhan comes from the 5-star Mount Juliet Estate to help drive Westport Estate into a world-class destination.

She assured members that the finished product would be a world class tourist destination when it opens in 2027/28 adding: “Visitors are looking for that luxury experience and connection to people. Americans coming into Ireland are always looking for something new, so this is really an exciting time for such a project.”

Director of Sales and Marketing at Westport Estate, Siobhán O’Sullivan, Westport Chamber Treasurer, Eithne O'Sullivan, Westport Chamber CEO, Geraldine Horkan and General Manager of The Grace, Ciaran Reidy.

Joining Siobhán at the Leeson Enterprise Centre on the evening was Ciaran Reidy, general manager of The Grace. Ciaran has a distinguished background in luxury and heritage hospitality, having led award-winning properties such as The Johnstown Estate and Lough Rynn Castle. The new Grace hotel with 129 rooms, is expecting to open its doors to guests in February 2026, making for a really exciting future for Westport.

Both Siobhan and Ciaran will oversee daily operations and lead a dedicated team committed to creating experiences that celebrate the estate’s cultural and natural heritage.

Ann Marie Jordan, South West Mayo Development Company, Dermott Landan, President of Westport Chamber and Damian Hughes, Ready to Work programme, South West Mayo Development Company

As local businesses struggle with finding staff, Westport Chamber invited Damian Hughes to outline the Ready to Work Programme as part of the South West Mayo Leader Pathways to Employment. Damian is dedicated to helping people with disabilities find the right job and build a fulfilling career.

Their services include education, training, skill development, and in-work support, all tailored to meet your unique needs, abilities, and potential.

Ready to Work is designed for people with disabilities who aren’t yet ready for work or who face barriers to entering the labour market. The Ready to Work programme will focus on collaborating with employers to enhance their understanding and capability to hire, retain, and promote employees with disabilities.

Damian Hughes, Ready to Work SWMDC, Keira Keogh, TD, Siobhán O'Sullivan, Westport Estate, Dermott Langan, Westport Chamber, Ciaran Reidy, The Grace, Cllr Peter Flynn Cathaoirleach Westport Belmullet MD

Proving to be a very informative AGM on the future of economic developments in Westport. the meeting also gave those who attended the opportunity to network with refreshments afterwards.