THIS Sunday is exactly 50 years to the date Tralee Credit Union first opened its doors to members an the Union is marking it that day with a celebration at St John’s Church.

On Sunday, February 18, 1968 at the T.C.L.S. Building in Day Place, Tralee, beside the Dominican Church, Rev C.D. O’Riordan, Prior, Holy Cross instigated the formation of a Study Group to examine the concept, formation and running of a credit union.

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Members of the study group were Denis Foley, Sean Moriarty, Tommy Quinlan, Paddy Dillane, Geoffrey O’Donoghue, Rev C.D. O’Riordan, Lauri Healy, John Malone, John Ryan and Tony Meade.

They set up the credit union to give everyone throughout Tralee access to credit. They had studied hard the concept of the credit union ethos and values that members savings form the common pool of funds that allows members to borrow.

In 1968, these ten men pooled together £50 of their own money which was used as the starting capital needed to form the credit union and so Tralee Credit Union was established.

Over the years their common bond expanded throughout Castleisland and Killorglin and today with over 43,000 members it serves its members well with three offices in Tralee, Castleisland and Killorglin. Today it has over €220 million in Assets and over €185 million in members savings.

Pa Laide, CEO Tralee Credit Union said; “as we approach our 50th Anniversary we reflect on our heritage, our success and our achievements. Together with our members, our board, our management and staff we have worked hard in making Tralee Credit Union the 5thlargest community-based credit union in the country. To mark our 50th Anniversary St. John’s Church in Tralee will kindly dedicate their 12-noon mass to Tralee Credit Union. We would like to extend an open invitation to all our members to this mass. Without the support of our loyal members, our board of directors and volunteers and staff throughout the years, we would not be in a position to serve our local communities and therefore this mass is a celebration of our success.”

Membership of Tralee Credit Union is voluntary and open to everyone who lives and works within Tralee, Castleisland and the Killorglin area.

For further information on their services call in to Tralee Credit Union in Tralee, Castleisland and Killorglin or visit their website www.traleecu.ie