New book ‘Limericks Merchants Traders and Shakers – Celebrating two centuries of enterprise’ launched

Pictured: Brendan Woods (past CEO of Limerick Chamber), authors Dr Matthew Potter and Sharon Slater, Maria Kelly (past CEO of Limerick Chamber) and Dr. James Ring, CEO Limerick Chamber.

Limerick Chamber has published a book entitled, Limericks Merchants Traders and Shakers – Celebrating two centuries of enterprise, to mark its 200^thAnniversary. 

The book was officially launched at a reception in Limerick Chamber’s building on Thursday 1 October with Mayor for Limerick City & County Cllr Liam Galvin and special guests in attendance.

Rather than a straightforward history of the Chamber since its incorporation by Charter in 1815, the high quality hard-backed book recounts the social, economic and political landscape of Limerick over the last 200 years and the role Limerick Chamber played in it.  The influences of politics, social classes, religion, the merchant families, post-Independence and more are all examined in the beautifully illustrated book.

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Researched and written by historians Dr Matthew Potter and Sharon Slater, Limerick’s Merchants, Traders & Shakers is a comprehensive, lively and lavishly illustrated book, packed with dramatic events and interesting personalities, all set within the large context of Limerick’s economic and social history.

Speaking at the launch, Catherine Duffy, Limerick Chamber President said, “Celebrating 200 years is a mean feat for any business.  Since 1815 Limerick Chamber has been inextricably woven into the fabric of business life in the Limerick region and I am delighted that this past has been captured in such a beautiful book.”

“One interesting theme that stands out in the book is the fact that trade and commerce does not live in isolation.  It needs a population.  It is impacted by social, political, technological and economic forces; by ideals, ideologies and values over hundreds of years.  Trade and commerce has played a significant role in the evolution of the state and our region and it will continue to do so over the coming centuries.  Limerick Chamber will also continue to have a strong role in this evolution,” she continued.

In his foreword for the book, The President of Ireland, Michael D Higgins, noted, “The book will be of interest for many reasons: as a window through which two centuries of Limerick’s story can be viewed from the perspective of the business community; as an examination of the activities of a major Irish chamber of commerce over that period; and as a documentary of the commercial life of one of Ireland’s principal cities.”

The book is on sale in O’Mahonys Bookstore and retails at €40.

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