Claire Nash is a director and president of Cork Business Association and the owner of Nash 19 Restaurant and Food Shop and Sternview Gallery. Her term of office will run for 18 months.

She is also a director of Cork Opera House and a member of the strategic policy committee of Cork City Council. Claire is a creamery manager’s daughter from Co Limerick and she now lives in Kinsale, Co Cork.

Claire opened Nash 19, Princes Street, Cork, in 1992. She is committed to the food and hospitality sector of Cork city, while also being hands on inside the doors of Nash 19. Claire values the proximity of the restaurant to the English Market, which supplies her team with fresh produce daily.

During her tenure as president of Cork Business Association, she wants the Colliers International Cork Region Strategic Marketing Report, commissioned by the city council, to deliver increased footfall for the city. She believes that the council can do amazing work to influence growth of business through being creative about parking and measures necessary to bring visitors into the city. She wants the authorities to work to secure transatlantic flights for Cork Airport. She believes there are exciting times ahead for the 300 businesses that Cork’s Business Association represents.

“We’ve come out of recession, but I believe that the energy that was required for us to grind out a living over the last five to six years robbed us of our creativity,” said Claire. “We were on the front line. We were fighting to keep our doors open. We had no drive left to create business or regenerate business. I am in the heart of the city and affiliated closely to the business community. I know we are reawakening. I can feel it.”

The planned events centre will bring business. The recent publication of the strategic marketing report for Cork now means that there’s a blueprint in place for the business community to use and implement for the growth of the city.

“Did you know that you can park on the top floor of Q park for €2? These are the kind of initiatives that will bring business into the city,” said Claire.

Thinking about her favourite place to eat, Claire said: “I have to know what’s on my plate. I need the whole story. So, for casual dining, it would be Bruno’s in Kinsale and for more formal dining, it would be Finns Table in Kinsale.

“If we want a real family treat, we head down to Ballymaloe House. I got my love of cooking from Myrtle Allen at age 14. I still think she’s the best in the business. I share her philosophy of extending Irish hospitality. I adore Ballymaloe.”

Claire is dedicated to her business, her loyal staff and to Cork businesses. “A drink at the end of the day from Jack’s Wine Bar in Oliver Plunkett St or L’atitude on Union Quay is just the tonic after a busy day,” she said. There’s no time for that, as the president of Cork Business Association heads off to a meeting in the City Hall.

Nash 19’s doors open at 7.30am until 3.30pm Monday to Friday and 8.30am to 3.30pm on Saturday. It is also available for private parties of 50 upwards. Phone 021-4270880 or visit www.nash19.com