We at Bray & North Wicklow Area Partnership (BNWAP) marked a major milestone last Friday with a special celebratory event, Looking Back, Moving Forward: Our 30-Year Anniversary, held at the Glenview Hotel, County Wicklow.
The event brought together community partners, local representatives, stakeholders and service-users as well as staff past and present, to celebrate three decades of dedicated work supporting individuals, families and communities across the region, and to look ahead with the launch of our Area Targeted Local Action Strategy (ATLAS) Strategic Plan 2025–2030.
Among the distinguished guests was Tánaiste Simon Harris, who congratulated the Partnership on its longstanding contribution to social inclusion and community development in the Bray and North Wicklow area. He acknowledged the significant work and achievements of the Partnership over past years and officially launched the new ATLAS Strategic Plan, which sets out a clear roadmap for continuing this vital work into the future.
The celebration also featured remarks from Aoife Flynn Kennedy, BNWAP Chairperson, and the Cathaoirleach of Wicklow County Council and Chairperson of the Local Community Development Committee, Cllr Melanie Corrigan, both of whom paid tribute to the staff, volunteers, and community partners whose commitment has shaped the organisation’s success over the past thirty years.
A highlight of the morning was a moving opening performance by a local multinational choir, recently established by the Partnership and directed by Karen Hammond. The event drew a large attendance, including local TDs, councillors, and community leaders, reflecting the strong support for the Partnership’s ongoing work in the area.
Speaking at the event, CEO Peter Brennan said:
“This milestone gives us a chance to reflect on how far we’ve come and to celebrate the many people who have worked alongside us to make a difference in our community. Our new ATLAS Strategic Plan sets out a bold vision for the years ahead — one that builds on our strong foundations and responds to the evolving needs of the people we serve.”
Tánaiste Simon Harris commented:
“It was a real pleasure to join Bray & North Wicklow Area Partnership today to celebrate thirty years of community leadership, support and inclusion.
The launch of the new ATLAS Strategic Plan marks the next chapter of this work, ensuring the right supports reach people in the right place at the right time. To the volunteers, staff, board members and community partners who have poured their energy into this organisation over three decades, I want to say thank you.”
The Partnership’s new five-year strategy outlines key priorities to strengthen community resilience, enhance local services, and promote equality of opportunity throughout the Bray and North Wicklow areas. Developed through extensive consultation with local people, community groups, and partner organisations, ATLAS outlines the Partnership’s priorities across six key themes: Children & Families, Education & Training, Enterprise & Employment, Health & Wellbeing, Community Development, and A Trusted, Best-Practice Company.