The Manorhamilton Enterprise Forum is a non-profit making association with a key objective of stimulating growth, creating employment and making Manorhamilton a better place for all.

Manorhamilton was always recognized as the capital of North Leitrim with the reputation of being one of the finest market towns in the North-West. All this changed with the closure of our Railway Station in 1957 and if that wasn't bad enough the troubles in Northern Ireland caused the closure of all our Border roads in 1972. This cut us off from our nearest neighbours and left a feeling of doom and gloom in the area that resulted in widespread emigration. The census of 2002 was the first indication of a reversal of that trend, this is thanks to the Peace Process and the re-opening of our border roads.

Signs of change and growth in the town in the last few years have primarily been in the housing sector. While this is to be welcomed, infrastructure and job creation continue to lag behind and economic life continued to be drained from the town for want of better facilities and job opportunities. This was identified as having a detrimental impact on continued growth and the future prospects for the younger generation and new families locating in the town. Rectifying this development imbalance is one of our major challenges.

This organization sees its role solely as a facilitator and an influencing force to make happen developments in the town which would not occur without being stimulated by local enthusiasm. We hope to harness the good offices of Leitrim Co. Council, the state agencies for development and cross border funding authorities to support proposals we are formulating. The role of the forum will essentially be one of conceiving, incubating and presenting for development social and job creating projects that are needed.