Packed House at Newry Chamber Event as Local Men Share Their Stories

It was a packed house at Newry Rugby Club on Friday 21 November with every seat taken up for the Newry Chamber of Commerce International Mens Day event. It was the second year the business group hosted the event to help highlight mens mental health.

Edwina Flynn, who is coming to the end of her term as President of Newry Chamber said "International Mens Day is about encouraging real conversations about wellbeing, pressure, role models, support and belonging and I hope that today brings you space to connect, to reflect and to enjoy being part of this community". She welcomed Eileen Murphy, CEO of Women's Aid Armagh Down, the Chamber's charity partner and Colin Bell from the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust. Proceeds from the event will go towards both charities. She also thanked CEO Michael Savage and the Chamber team for their help during her tenure. 

A wide range of speakers from business people to community champions talked about their lives, with Presenter Thomas Niblock keeping the conversation flowing.

Sean O'Connor the Co-Founder of the incredible Newry born business STATSports spoke about founding the athlete tracking business in 2008 along with Alan Clarke, and its progress to the point where it was acquired by Sony just last month. To have a Newry founded business that lists the likes of Ronaldo and Messi as users of their high tech equipment is something that we can all be proud of.

Kevin McElvanna, a General Surgeon and 2002 Armagh All-Ireland football winner spoke of the horrendous road tragedy that came to his family and friends in November 2023 when he lost his wife Ciara and friends Patrick and Ciera Grimley as well as experiencing devastating injuries himself. He highlighted the support that followed from his incredible community of Madden and moving to the present day the Club's first Armagh County Senior Football Championship win.

A panel discussion followed with Colin Bell, Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust; Jim McGuigan, Actor and Director and John McEvoy, Executive Chairman, Duality Healthcare. While heartfelt conversations were had, thanks to Benny Tierney, School Principal and Armagh 2002 All Ireland Winner, a good laugh was never far away at the most enjoyable and thought provoking afternoon.