Ennis Chamber honour for Bobby

At at recent ceremony in the Rowan Tree Café Bar in Ennis, Bobby Collins of Charleston in South Carolina was enrolled as an honorary member of Ennis Chamber. Bobby, who was accompanied by his wife, Boo, senior vice-president of Engagement at Pure Insurances, was bestowed the honor in recognition of his work in the partnership between Ennis and Charleston.
As a former president of Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce, Bobby facilitated the Ennis Chamber visit to South Carolina last summer, where a delegation of staff and executives met with senior business figures, including the Mayor of Charleston, Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce, the Port of Charleston, Clemson University, Charleston Regional Development Alliane and the Charleston Visitor and Convention Bureau.

Brian O’Neill, past president of Ennis Chamber, thanked Bobby for his continued efforts over a number of years to forge links, create business relationships and generate learning between Charleston and Ennis. Michele Madden, current president of Ennis Chamber, then presented Bobby with a 5,000 year old piece of Bog Oak rendered by local craftsman Josie O’Shea, with an inscription of honorary Ennis Chamber membership.

In accepting his honorary membership, Bobby, whose daughter and grandchildren live in Ennis, said he was overwhelmed by the welcome he has received since first coming to Ennis and County Clare.

He was delighted he could play a part in the connection between the two cities and believes that there is nothing new under the sun, therefore any issues or ­problems in communities can be solved by working together to share ideas and solutions.

Bobby said he looks forward to continuing to strenghtening the relationship between the two communities.