Western Development Commission

Marking 25 years of driving balanced growth in Ireland’s Western Region, the Western Development Commission has unveiled a landmark report highlighting the region’s remarkable progress and the critical challenges still facing the West and Northwest. Below is the full report, for a 𝘀𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗸𝗲𝘆 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 please read here: https://lnkd.in/eyD7zH4Y With huge thanks to Indecon International Consultants: Hugh Hennessy and Peter Kingston for their rigorous analysis; to Dr Aisling Moroney our Policy Analyst for her insightful regional analysis over 25 years; and to report designer Andrea Kavanagh of Resonate Design for bringing the data to life. #WDCsummit Mayo County Council Sligo County Council Galway County Council Comhairle Cathrach na Gaillimhe / Galway City Council Clare County Council Donegal County Council Leitrim County Council Roscommon County Council Local Enterprise Office Clare Local Enterprise Office Donegal Local Enterprise Office Leitrim Local Enterprise Office Sligo Local Enterprise Office Mayo Local Enterprise Office Roscommon Local Enterprise Office Galway Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment Department of Rural and Community Development Dara Calleary Alan Dillon TD Simon Harris Denis Naughten TD Seán Kyne Ciaran Mullooly Platform94 PorterShed Jack Chambers

📢𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗦𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗘𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗽𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗜𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗕𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗻. Is your social enterprise being supported by a regular business? Then maybe they could consider entering the ‘Partnering with a Social Enterprise’ category at the awards, sponsored by Department of Rural and Community Development. ⏱️Deadline: Wednesday, 23rd April 2025 at 12 noon. 🔗https://loom.ly/ZGUcVGw

The Department of Rural and Community Development has launched an 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗽𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘀𝘂𝗿𝘃𝗲𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝗽𝗵𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗜𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱’𝘀 𝗿𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗱𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗽𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰𝘆, which will build on the progress made under Our Rural Future 2021 -2025. As key stakeholders, your insights are crucial and your feedback will help ensure rural policy continues to support and strengthen rural communities across Ireland. You can access the survey here: https://loom.ly/_t-lEVw . The survey will remain open until Wednesday 2 April.

Meanwhile, over on Wall Street... Today we celebrate the 13th 𝗔𝗻𝗻𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗜𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁. ☘️🇮🇪 🇺🇸 Partnering with Ireland INC, the WDC is happy to support US-Ireland partnerships that encourage growth and prosperity for both countries. Our CEO Allan Mulrooney is in the States this week, flying the flag for the region. 🇮🇪

📢 TUS Flexible Learning in collaboration with Connected Hubs have been nominated for 𝗕𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗔𝗰𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗰 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 in The Education Awards 2025. 🎉 The Education Awards 2025 celebrate the most innovative individuals and companies driving excellence in Ireland's education sector. It's wonderful that our Connected Hubs have been recognised in this way. Collaborating with TUS is just one of the ways we're supporting the revitalisation of rural communities. Department of Rural and Community Development

A proud moment for Buymedia yesterday as we joined an exclusive roundtable at the UK-Ireland Summit in Liverpool, alongside Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Taoiseach Micheál Martin.   Our CEO, Fergal O'Connor, took part in high-level discussions on #technology, #AI, #innovation, #energy, and #security, alongside a select group of industry leaders at the forefront of driving innovation and economic growth across the UK and Ireland. The summit comes at a pivotal time for Buymedia as we set our sights on significant growth across the UK market. With AI and technology transforming industries at an unprecedented pace, we are committed to empowering businesses with AI-powered media investment technology, ensuring they can make smarter, more efficient, and impactful advertising decisions. It was great to listen to and share in these discussions with Paddy Hayes (ESB), Laura Trimble (HSBC), Paul Brown (John Sisk & Son Ltd), Brad Mallard (Version 1), Brian O'Rourke (CitySwift), Martin Pibworth (SSE Renewables), Rohan Malik, Prof Kate Black FREng (Atomik AM), Jerome Forde (Arup), Martin Fraser (Embassy of Ireland, Great Britain), Paul Johnston et al. Thanks to Shirley McCay and Martin Pathan for the kind invitation and for organising a great event, and to Enterprise Ireland UK for their continued support in driving Irish innovation on the global stage. We look forward to playing a key role in this next chapter of UK-Ireland business growth. 🚀 Read the full story here: https://lnkd.in/e4SVv8F8 #UKIrelandSummit #AI #Tech #AILeaders #AIAdvertising #Innovation #EconomicGrowth #Buymedia Irish Marketing Journal (IMJ), Irish Tech News, Enterprise Ireland, Dogpatch Labs, Silicon Republic, TechCentral, Business Post Business Plus Magazine, Western Development Commission Interceltic Business Forum We Are Global Irish Platform94 MIDAS Manchester's Inward Investment Agency

𝗖𝗮𝗻 𝗮 𝘀𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗽𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗲 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗻 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘁𝘂𝘀? 🦄 That's one of the questions that was raised yesterday at the 𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗘𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗽𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗲 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸 event held in CREW where we had the opportunity to hear from Brandon Blacoe, CEO of ByoWave - a Galway-based social enterprise changing the face of gaming with their PROTEUS game controller. There are very few social enterprises that have reached unicorn status ($1 billion+ valuation), but some mission-driven companies with strong social impact have achieved this milestone... and we think ByoWave could just be one of those. ByoWave has deep roots. Firstly the friendship of its founders Brandon and Eibhlin O'Riordan, which dates back to playschool. Secondly, the idea for an accessible game controller arose from Eibhlin's disability, Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, which affects her ability to play video games with one hand. Thirdly, the organisation is truly engaged with the gaming community, having their own Discord channel for gamers to share needs, configurations and so on. Add to these roots ByoWave's Company Pillars: ❤️ Empathy 💪 Tenacity 💡 Open Minded Innovation 🍥 Engineering Excellence Then there is the product itself, the first of its kind ever created in Galway, or Ireland for that matter, a Lego-like product that opens up the world of gaming to so many. We heard of patients with acquired brain injuries receiving rehabilitation, with the PROTEUS controller enabling video gaming. We heard of exciting product adjacent use cases that could take advantage of ByoWave's IP. Our minds were buzzing, the room was filled with pride to see one of their own create something so exciting. So to answer the question, can a social enterprise grow to unicorn status? If the energy in the room was anything to go by we say, why not? It all starts with believing it's possible. ------- With special thanks to Brandon Blacoe, Ainslie Peters, Niamh Costello, Faye Carolan, Caroline McDonagh and the Local Enterprise Office Galway for organising. 📸 Main photo: Brandon Blacoe and Olive McLucas, Investment Executive, WDC. Enterprise Ireland Local Enterprise Office Galway Local Enterprise Offices Social Entrepreneurs Ireland Rethink Ireland Social Enterprise Exchange John Breslin

Happy International Women's Day! For #InternationalWomensDay, we’re shining a light on some of the most inspiring women from Donegal, Clare, Galway, Leitrim, Sligo, Mayo, and Roscommon. These women made history, broke barriers, and left a lasting legacy. Swipe through the document below to discover their stories! Please share with your networks. 🤝 ----------------- 𝗟𝗮́ 𝗜𝗱𝗶𝗿𝗻𝗮́𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘂́𝗻𝘁𝗮 𝗻𝗮 𝗺𝗕𝗮𝗻 𝗳𝗮𝗼𝗶 𝗺𝗵𝗮𝗶𝘀𝗲 𝗱𝘂𝗶𝘁! Le haghaidh #LáIdirnáisiúntanamBan, tá muid ag léiriú cuid de na mná is spreagúla ó Dhún na nGall, an Chláir, Gaillimh, Liatroim, Sligeach, Maigh Eo agus Ros Comáin. Rinne na mná seo rudaí iontacha, bhris siad bacainní, agus d’fhág siad oidhreacht bhuan. 𝗗𝘂́𝗻 𝗻𝗮 𝗻𝗚𝗮𝗹𝗹 - 𝗙𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗕𝗿𝗼𝘄𝗻𝗲 - úrscéalaí, agus údar do pháistí. In ainneoin a radharc a chailleadh le linn na hóige, mhúin sí í féin trí éisteacht le ceachtanna a deirfiúracha agus rinneadh file agus scríbhneoir den scoth í. Ar a dtugtar “The Blind Poetess of Ulster”. 𝗟𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗶𝗺 – 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗴𝗮𝗿𝗲𝘁 𝗛𝗮𝘂𝗴𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘆 - Bean Aráin New Orleans. Agus í dílleachtaithe ag aois óg, chuaigh Margaret ar imirce go SAM agus d’éirigh sí ina bean ghnó agus ina daonchara rathúil, ag cothú agus ag cur cóiríocht ar fáil do na mílte dílleachtaí i New Orleans. 𝗦𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵 – 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗰𝘇 - Réabhlóidí, Céad Bhean sa Pharlaimint. Bhí sí ina ceannaire in Éirí Amach 1916, agus ba í an chéad bhean a toghadh chuig Parlaimint na Ríochta Aontaithe (cé gur dhiúltaigh sí a suíochán a ghlacadh). Throid sí ar son neamhspleáchas na hÉireann agus cearta na mban. 𝗠𝗮𝗶𝗴𝗵 𝗘𝗼 – 𝗚𝗿𝗮́𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗲 𝗠𝗵𝗮𝗼𝗹 - Banríon Foghlaithe na hÉireann. Ina ceannaire gan eagla ar na farraigí, chuir sí in aghaidh riail Shasana agus rinne sí idirbheartaíocht leis an mBanríon Eilís I ar a téarmaí féin. 𝗥𝗼𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗮́𝗶𝗻 – 𝗠𝗮𝘂𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗢’𝗦𝘂𝗹𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗮𝗻 - An Chéad Réalta Éireannach de chuid Hollywood. Is fearr aithne mar Jane sna scannáin Tarzan, ba í Maureen O’Sullivan an chéad mhór-aisteoir Hollywood in Éirinn. 𝗚𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗵 – 𝗟𝗮𝗱𝘆 𝗚𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗼𝗿𝘆 - Comhbhunaitheoir Amharclann na Mainistreach & Athbheochanóir Liteartha. Bhí an Bhantiarna Gregory ag obair le W.B. Yeats agus J.M. Synge chun Amharclann na Mainistreach a bhunú, ag múnlú na drámaíochta nua-aimseartha Gaeilge. 𝗔𝗻 𝗖𝗹𝗮́𝗿 – 𝗘𝗱𝗻𝗮 𝗢’𝗕𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻 - Scríbhneoir & Feimineach den scoth. Cuireadh cosc ar a húrscéal in Éirinn mar gheall ar a léiriú ar shaol na mban, bhris a húrscéal The Country Girls teireanna agus d’athraigh sí tírdhreach litríocht na Gaeilge. #IWD2025 #LáIdirnáisiúntanamBan Mayo County Council Sligo County Council Galway County Council Comhairle Cathrach na Gaillimhe / Galway City Council Clare County Council Donegal County Council Leitrim County Council Roscommon County Council Department of Rural and Community Development

Exciting News from CitySwift 🚍 We are thrilled to share that CitySwift, a WDC portfolio company, has officially rolled out its platform to ALL bus operators in London. 🌍 CitySwift is transforming how public sector transport authorities and private bus operators access and interpret transport data. This is a groundbreaking achievement for the Galway-based company, especially considering London’s public transport network—one of the largest in the world, with nearly 9,000 buses serving over 1.8 billion passengers annually. A huge congratulations to co-founders Alan Farrelly, Brian O'Rourke, and the entire CitySwift team for their remarkable success and rapid growth. 🚀 We can’t wait to see what’s next on the horizon. #CitySwift #PublicTransport #Innovation #TechForGood #WDC #Growth #London #TransportTech https://lnkd.in/eNuzwsCj

Enterprise Ireland has launched its new five-year strategy, ‘Delivering for Ireland, Leading Globally (2025-2029)’. The strategy, launched by Peter Burke, Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, aims to increase jobs in Enterprise Ireland-supported companies to 275,000 and boost exports to €50 billion by 2029. Our Senior Investment Manager Jonathon Kavanagh attended the launch and was impressed with the new strategy that focuses on Start, Compete, Scale and Connect. We will continue to work in partnership with Enterprise Ireland as they work to accelerate sustainable Irish business, and support Irish exporting companies to make an even greater contribution to the Irish economy through international growth and nationwide employment. Pictured - Méabh Conaghan, Declan Hughes, Mary Rodgers, Jonathon Kavanagh, Marie Donnellan and Dermot Mulligan.