About Dundalk Chamber of Commerce
As one largest business networks in Northeast, Dundalk Chamber has been serving Dundalk and the North Louth business community for over 130 years. We represent over 250 member companies who in turn represent over 20,000 employees.
Dundalk Chamber is the business voice for the Northeast Region, enabling commercial activity to develop and flourish within the region. Supporting regional development since 1892 and continues to assist businesses and our community to prosper. We are committed to making Dundalk the leading location for people to do business, to invest and to live.
Our chamber activities include influencing decisions and lobbying on behalf of businesses, providing opportunities for business promotion and networking. Our management and councils’ active participation in forums and joint committees with local authorities, development agencies, and neighbouring Chambers ensures that key business issues are represented and integrated into regional decision-making processes.
Dundalk Chamber is affiliated to Chambers Ireland and through the Chamber Network Pledge is unified with the nationwide Chambers Ireland network in striving towards the implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The Dundalk Chamber is here to create, support, maintain and promote a positive environment for businesses in Dundalk and the Region. We are committed to stimulating investment, sustaining economic growth and enhancing business opportunities ‘to make Dundalk the best place to live and work’.
Meet the Team
Hanna McDonnell is a Fractional CMO with over two decades of experience spanning market intelligence, corporate communications, and strategic marketing across Ireland, Sweden, and beyond. Her career includes senior roles at Boliden, one of Europe’s leading mining and metals companies, where she progressed from Market Intelligence Analyst to Communications Manager, before moving into content marketing and consultancy. Most recently, she has built her own practice helping small and medium businesses attract clients through clear positioning and impactful marketing strategies.
As President of Dundalk Chamber of Commerce, Hanna brings this breadth of international and commercial expertise to champion Dundalk’s business community and drive regional growth.
John was appointed as CEO of Dundalk Chamber in June 2025.
Prior to that, he served on Louth County Council from 2014 to 2020, he was twice elected Cathaoirleach of Dundalk Municipal District in 2017 and 2019.
Upon his election to Seanad Éireann in 2020, John was appointed as the Government Spokesperson on Climate Action by Taoiseach Leo Varadkar.
He was appointed to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action and the Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Good Friday Agreement Committee.
John holds a BA from University College Dublin in History and Politics.
Joanne Lavelle is a Dundalk woman and 2nd generation business owner in Dundalk, where she operates Michael Lavelle Estate Agents, an independent sales and rental estate agency. Joanne’s work in property includes leading Ireland’s largest real estate channel on YouTube, as well as capturing the attention of thousands of people every day across social media, driven by her focus on delivering experiential and engaging content.
Joanne is Vice President of Dundalk Chamber of Commerce, where she supports local businesses and promotes the north east as a powerful place to live, work and thrive. Three times recipient of the Network Ireland Businesswoman of the Year award, Joanne is an award-winning radio presenter, mediator and community activist, bringing her focus to projects such as Dundalk’s St Nicholas Quarter urban regeneration scheme, which secured €7.49 million funding in recent years.
Joanne holds a BSc Hons in Property Studies, a BA Int’l in Arts, and a Diploma in Corporate Governance.
Thomas is Treasurer and Board Member of Dundalk Chamber of Commerce, bringing strong financial, governance and commercial experience to the role. He is also promoter for the Dundalk Chamber Skillnet.
As Treasurer, he supports the Chamber’s financial oversight, budgeting and reporting, helping ensure the organisation remains well governed and focused on delivering value for its members.
Thomas is committed to promoting Dundalk as a strong place to do business, invest, work and live.
A Director with UHY Farrelly Dawe White Limited, Thomas specialises in financial reporting and audit for scaling Irish and international businesses.
Paddy is a Chartered Accountant and the Institute of Taxation. He trained with Arthur Andersen in Chicago and Dublin.
Since 1989 he has practiced in Dundalk specialising in taxation areas including succession planning and Capital Gains. He has been an advisor to FAS and Leo.
He has been appointed to several Government Boards and in 2019 appointed to Chair DkIT Governing Body. He remained a Governor after his term concluded
Paddy has been a member of the Chamber for over 25 years and was responsible for initiatives such as Budget Breakfast; M1 Corridor. He has led the lobbying on Living City, National Development Plan 2040.
Karolina joined the Dundalk Chamber of Commerce in 2013 and has since played a key role in the organisation’s financial operations, with primary responsibility for accounts management. She is a part-qualified accountant who has successfully completed the Applied Knowledge and Applied Skills examinations, demonstrating a strong foundation in accounting and finance.
In 2024, Karolina expanded her role by joining the Dundalk Chamber Skillnet team as a Skillnet Network Training Co-ordinator. In this position, she supports the development and delivery of training initiatives, helping businesses and individuals access valuable learning and professional development opportunities.
Kim has been a member of the Dundalk Chamber team for over 26 years. Throughout her time, she has worked in several key roles from accounts administrator to taking over the role of Webmaster in 2024, overseeing the development and maintenance of the organisation’s online presence.
As part of the Chamber team, she is also an administrator for the Chamber’s Export Services, with responsibility for Certificates of Origin and export documentation.
She is an active member of the Dundalk’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade Organising Committee and serves on the Board of the Redeemer Family Resource Centre.