Irish Tech News Audio Articles

AI is not running in the cloud. It is running on infrastructure, and that infrastructure has a cost. Nobody talks about what it costs to think at scale. That silence is doing work. AI is being sold as a technology story. It isn't. It is a resource story; and the ledger is missing. Every response is backed by systems drawing power without interruption, consuming water at industrial scale, and expanding without a clear accounting of its cost. I work in law; precedent, procedure, judgment built over years. I am told, with increasing confidence by people who have never read a case law, that AI will replace what I do inside a decade. Maybe it will. What is never addressed is what it takes to run the systems making that prediction; what they consume, where that cost lands, and whether anyone has done the math before building the narrative. The Free Pass Is Over For years, computing got a free pass on the environmental question. Data felt clean. It wasn't steel, it wasn't diesel, it wasn't a smokestack you could photograph. It was light and fast and it lived somewhere called the cloud, which sounds deliberately weightless. That framing served the industry well for a long time; it let infrastructure expand without the kind of public scrutiny that follows a refinery proposal or a pipeline application. The product was invisible, so the cost felt invisible too. That assumption no longer holds, and the industry knows it, which is part of why the sustainability language has gotten so elaborate while the underlying numbers stay so hard to find. Here's what actually sits behind a response: physical servers drawing continuous power, cooling systems pulling millions of litres of water daily depending on design and climate, transmission infrastructure upgraded on the public dime to meet private load, and a semiconductor supply chain that burns through ultra-pure water and high-energy chemical processing before a single server ever gets racked. None of that appears in the product announcement. The gap between what gets marketed and what gets consumed is where the real conversation needs to happen. Efficiency Is Not a Ceiling The efficiency argument is the one the industry reaches for first, and it's not wrong; it's just incomplete. Better chips help. Smarter scheduling helps. Shorter training runs help. What they don't do is set a ceiling. They lower the floor. And when the floor drops, use expands to fill the space. This is not speculation; it's the entire history of computing. Processing power improves, demand rises to meet it, total consumption climbs regardless of per-unit gains. AI doesn't break that pattern; it accelerates it by embedding computation into decisions that used to require no computation at all. A search query that once returned ten blue links now triggers inference at scale. A document that once got a human skim now gets AI analysis as a default step. Multiply that across enterprise deployments running continuously and the load doesn't look like a series of requests; it looks like a baseline. The Water Question Nobody Is Asking Water is where the accounting gets uncomfortable, partly because it sits outside the energy conversation most people are already having. Cooling is a physical necessity at data centre density; heat has to go somewhere, and at the volumes modern AI infrastructure generates, it goes into water. Liquid cooling at scale means real water volumes; not metaphorical, not offset, actual water drawn from actual regional systems and returned to those systems warmer than it left. In arid regions that equation becomes a competition. In temperate regions it becomes a municipal planning question that rarely gets asked until the facility is already built and drawing. In Canada, as of 2026, more than thirty long-term drinking water advisories remain active in First Nations communities. Some of those communities have been navigating boil-water conditions since the mid-1990s; not as a temporary disruption but as a sus...

Equinix, Inc., the world's digital infrastructure company®, has announced the availability of Equinix Fabric Intelligence, an AI-native operational layer to manage network infrastructure. Fabric Intelligence enables enterprises to deploy AI-powered networking across their operations, a shift from legacy software-defined networking design to simplify the complexities of today's AI workflows. Powering the Equinix Distributed AI Hub, Fabric Intelligence introduces smart automation for deploying, optimizing and maintaining global infrastructure, giving organisations a more resilient, efficient and adaptive backbone for their AI workloads. "The whole concept of AI is to make processes faster, and manual processes for network monitoring and management are difficult, if not impossible, to scale effectively," said Jim Frey, Principal Analyst at Omdia. "Our research shows 93% of organizations agree that network automation will be essential for keeping pace with future change, and 88% also agree that AI itself will be required for effective network automation. With Fabric Intelligence, Equinix is providing enterprises the AI-driven control plane for deploying, activating, and managing multi-cloud networking, to help them meet the scale and automation needs of the distributed AI era." AI thrives in dynamic, connected environments, but many enterprises rely on slow, rigid legacy network architectures that were never designed for the speed and complexity of today's intelligence systems. As AI adoption continues to accelerate, traditional network operations teams are struggling to keep up. Manual workflows can create bottlenecks, long deployment cycles hamper growth, and visibility gaps compound the challenge. AI demands real-time, adaptive networking—driving a shift to AI-assisted network operations that interpret telemetry and respond dynamically. The result is a widening gap between the speed of AI and the networks expected to support it. Fabric Intelligence automates how AI workloads connect and operate across clouds, data centres and edge environments. It provides organisations with a smarter way to manage the complexity of AI by automating how their connections are set up, adjusted and maintained across these distributed environments. As a result, distributed systems run reliably without constant manual effort, freeing teams to focus on strategic business priorities, such as building new AI capabilities and scaling operations. "All enterprises are focused on leveraging AI to transform their business, but most lack the infrastructure needed to deploy it at scale in ways that drive their growth," said Jon Lin, Chief Business Officer at Equinix. "As agentic AI matures and inferencing applications proliferate across the enterprise, networking infrastructure needs to be faster and more flexible than ever before.Fabric Intelligence turns infrastructure from a constraint to a competitive advantage by enabling our customers to spend less time managing complexity and more time moving their business forward." Fabric Intelligence provides a suite of AI-native solutions enabling enterprises to design, deploy and manage their infrastructure using intuitive tools like natural language, automated agentic workflows and powerful predictive insights. Combined with Equinix's global infrastructure of 280 high-performance data centers in 77 metros around the world, Equinix is helping to accelerate enterprise adoption of AI tools and next-generation infrastructure. Earlier this year, Equinix also joined the Agentic AI Foundation (AAIF), the open foundation driving the transparent and collaborative evolution of agentic AI, as a Gold member. This commitment will help build an open, secure and infrastructure-ready foundation for the global autonomous economy. Fabric Intelligence, part of the Equinix Fabric® portfolio with more than 4,400 customers worldwide, is made up of the following components: Fabric Super Agent An AI superagent that helps customers au...

The Business & Finance ESG Awards, held in association with headline partner Grant Thornton, returned to the Mansion House, Dublin, on 16 April 2026, bringing together leading organisations and policymakers to celebrate excellence in Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) performance across Ireland. Now in its fourth year, the awards continue to recognise the organisations and individuals driving meaningful progress in sustainability, social impact and responsible governance. This year's winners reflect the growing maturity of ESG across Irish business, with organisations demonstrating measurable impact, innovation and long-term commitment. The Grand Prix Award, the highest accolade of the awards, was awarded to Dalata Hotel Group (Dublin 18), recognising its outstanding ESG performance across multiple areas. In addition to securing the Grand Prix, Dalata Hotel Group was also recognised with the ESG Team Award, highlighting a deeply embedded, organisation-wide approach to sustainability, operational efficiency and stakeholder engagement. A major highlight of the event was the presentation of the ESG Leader Award to Marie Donnelly, in recognition of her exceptional contribution to advancing sustainability policy and driving Europe's energy transition. A long-time advocate for climate action, Marie has played a central role in shaping European energy policy and continues to influence the global sustainability agenda through her advisory and governance roles. Commenting on the awards, Janice Daly, Partner and Sustainability lead from Grant Thornton said: "Supporting the Business & Finance ESG Awards reflects our belief that embedding sustainability into business strategy plays an important role in advancing responsible business leadership. This year's winners have demonstrated how a considered and well designed approach to sustainability can deliver meaningful impact over the long term. In a period marked by ongoing economic and geopolitical uncertainty, their leadership shows the value of maintaining a clear, consistent focus on responsible business practices." Clare Kilmartin, COO, Business & Finance, said: "The 2026 ESG Awards winners demonstrate the depth of commitment, innovation and leadership that now defines ESG across Irish business. What is particularly encouraging is the shift from ambition to action, with organisations delivering measurable impact across climate, community and governance. The Grand Prix winner, Dalata Hotel Group, exemplifies how embedding ESG at every level of an organisation can drive both business success and positive societal change." The ESG Awards Judging Panel added: "This year's entries were of an exceptionally high standard, reflecting a significant evolution in how organisations are approaching ESG. The winners stood out not only for their ambition but for their ability to delivertangible, measurable outcomes. From large enterprises to SMEs, the breadth of innovation and commitment was impressive, making the judging process both challenging and inspiring." The Business & Finance ESG Awards 2026 Winners are: Category — Winner Biodiversity Leadership in Business Award — Coillte (Wicklow) Diversity, Equality & Inclusion Initiative — Bord Gáis Energy (Dublin 2) Employee Well-Being Award — Aldi Ireland (Co Kildare) Energy Efficiency Initiative Award — PTSB (Dublin 2) ESG Company Award (Enterprise) — An Post (Dublin) ESG Company Award (SMEs) — GORM (Ireland) ESG Consultancy Award — Xenergie (Galway) ESG Innovation Award — Flogas (Co Dublin) ESG Investment Award — BVP Investments Limited ESG Team Award — Dalata Hotel Group (Dublin 18) Future ESG Leader Award — Clémence Jamet, Guaranteed Irish (Dublin 2) Governance Leadership Award — Coolmine Therapeutic Community (Dublin 15) Net Zero Carbon Award — South Eastern Regional College (Co Down) Social Impact Award (Enterprise) — SMBC Aviation Capital (Dublin 2) Social Impact Award (SME) — Open Doors Initiative (Co Dublin) Sustainable Logistics Exc...

HCS, the Irish IT managed services and digital transformation company, has announced an investment of €13.2 million in the business by 2028 as it creates 125 new jobs, expands its footprint, and enhances its service offering for customers. The investment, which will be funded directly from the company's shareholders and reinvested company profits, is to support an ambitious strategy for continued growth. The new jobs, which will be created by 2028, are in cybersecurity, risk, compliance, digital services, enterprise sales, and presales. Recruitment has already begun and these new roles will grow the company's headcount to 175 employees across its Waterford, Cork, and Dublin locations. HCS is making this investment to drive annual revenue to €30 million by the end of 2028. AI adoption is a key driver of this growth, with customers increasingly incorporating AI into their operations to automate processes, boost productivity, and remain competitive. The investment also supports the opening of a new office in Blanchardstown Corporate Park, Dublin. The facility, spanning 4,500 square feet, includes technology infrastructure and collaborative workspaces for employees and customers. It will support the expansion of HCS' team and service portfolio across cybersecurity, cloud, and digital transformation. HCS provides services to over 350 large enterprise, mid-market, and SME organisations. Some of the most important growth segments for HCS include financial services, healthcare, hospitality, pharmaceutical, and manufacturing. Much of the forecasted growth is expected to come from digital services including AI-driven managed services. Pamela Farrell, Managing Director, HCS, said: "This investment reflects our confidence that we are ideally positioned to capitalise on high-growth areas such as AI and cybersecurity. This move marks a significant acceleration in our growth plans as we look to expand our teams and bolster our presence across the country. In turn, this will enable us to meet evolving customer needs and help them to stay ahead in increasingly complex work environments. "Having just acquired the business in November 2024, we have already made a very strong start and look forward to revealing an estimated 50% revenue increase in our first full financial year, ended 31st March 2026. "As an Irish-owned company, we are focused on providing the capabilities and rigour that global organisations require, alongside the responsiveness and agility of a local team. This investment will allow us to continue to build on our capabilities and service offering for customers. "Opening a new Dublin office is a huge milestone for us. The city is home to some of Ireland's most dynamic businesses, and having an enhanced base there, along with our existing Waterford and Cork offices, puts us in a stronger position to serve that market and attract talent." See more stories here. More about Irish Tech News Irish Tech News are Ireland's No. 1 Online Tech Publication and often Ireland's No.1 Tech Podcast too. You can find hundreds of fantastic previous episodes and subscribe using whatever platform you like via our Anchor.fm page here: https://anchor.fm/irish-tech-news If you'd like to be featured in an upcoming Podcast email us at Simon@IrishTechNews.ie now to discuss. Irish Tech News have a range of services available to help promote your business. Why not drop us a line at Info@IrishTechNews.ie now to find out more about how we can help you reach our audience. You can also find and follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat.

Ubotica Technologies and Open Cosmos have announced an agreement with NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) to collaborate on the Flight Demonstration of Federated Autonomous MEasurement (FAME), under the Advanced Information Systems Technology programme in NASA's Earth Science Technology Office. FAME aims to link more than 50 spacecraft from a wide range of operators in the largest autonomous satellite operations test ever attempted, demonstrating a fundamentally new way to observe Earth. Ubotica's SPACE:AI platform and two Open Cosmos spacecraft, the currently operational Hammer and Accenture-1, are named as AI satellite assets in the programme. From observing to knowing and acting Today's Earth observation satellites – optical, radar, infrared – collect vast amounts of data across multiple modalities and return it to the ground for human analysts to interpret hours or days later. While the satellites have powerful instruments, they have no understanding of what they are seeing. FAME builds on a new generation of satellites that do understand the data they are collecting. When Ubotica's onboard AI processes data in orbit and detects an event of interest, such as ships at sea that have switched off their tracking systems, a wildfire, or a volcanic eruption, it acts immediately: takes a closer look, generates an alert, tasks a follow-on spacecraft. No analyst in the middle. No ground station delay. FAME federates that capability across an entire constellation. One satellite sees something. The network of satellites responds. Follow-on spacecraft reorient and acquire targeted observations within minutes. The loop closes autonomously, replacing passive data collection with active, autonomous, federated intelligence across a constellation that can coordinate as an intelligent system. The multiyear flight demonstration of FAME is expected to begin with an initial set of six spacecraft in summer 2026. Built on two Space AI breakthroughs FAME builds on two innovations demonstrated in orbit for the first time aboard Hammer. The first: real-time identification. Ubotica's SPACE:AI platform processes imagery onboard, identifying events of interest in seconds rather than waiting for ground-based analysis. The second: autonomous action through Dynamic Targeting, a technology developed by NASA JPL and first successfully demonstrated in orbit by NASA JPL, Ubotica and Open Cosmos in July 2025. It autonomously reorients the spacecraft and captures high-resolution confirmation imagery in just over 60 seconds, with no ground station involvement. Together, these two capabilities produce more valuable data, and the insights are available much quicker than with a conventional pass. FAME is the next stage: taking these proven single-satellite capabilities and making them work across a federated constellation. Fintan Buckley, CEO at Ubotica said: "Dynamic Targeting showed what a single satellite with onboard AI can achieve. FAME shows what happens when that capability is coordinated across a network. Our contribution is the intelligence inside the Ubotica nodes: detecting what matters, processing it in orbit, and passing the signal to whatever asset can act on it fastest. That is how you close the loop at a speed that is actually useful." Rafel Jordá Siquier, CEO of Open Cosmos said: "When Open Cosmos builds and designs satellites, we always have two key goals in mind: to understand and connect the world. Understanding the world requires a layer of context that is accessible in real-time, so that data can be acted upon without delay. By adding the scale of a full network to this capability, FAME opens a new realm of possibility for what Earth observation technology can achieve." Programme timeline Year one focuses on maturing flight capabilities and executing initial onboard AI and rapid notification tests across the core constellation. Years two and three scale to the full 50+ spacecraft network, processing thousands of automated alerts and exe...

The latest Vodafone Business Cybersecurity Report has revealed that despite 70% of SMEs expressing growing concerns over potential security attacks on mobile devices, more than 40 percent grant access to company resources to employees on the go without dedicated mobile security controls. This means many employees are accessing company emails, documents and apps out of office, increasing potential exposure to security and operational risks. To help reduce exposure to these risks, Vodafone Business recommends a small number of practical actions. Outdated devices that no longer receive security updates should be phased out, particularly where personal phones or tablets are used for work. Automatic operating system and app updates should be switched on across all work devices, and clear expectations should be set that any device used for work must stay up to date. Where possible, mobile security or management tools can help identify gaps, while clear and timely communication is essential when urgent security updates need to be applied. The findings form part of Vodafone Business's latest global cybersecurity threat research, drawing on insights from Vodafone's mobile security networks, partner intelligence, alongside primary research conducted in Ireland to understand how mobile-based threats are evolving for organisations of all sizes. More importantly, the report highlights the emerging risks linked to how mobile devices used for business and work are managed, rather than the devices themselves. As part of the Irish research, Vodafone commissioned a survey of 300 Irish SME's employing between 50-250 people to better understand the challenges facing mid-sized businesses in an increasingly digital economy. The research highlighted concerns among Irish SMEs, with seven in ten Irish businesses more worried about phishing, data leakage, malware and spyware risks than this time last year. With mobile-based attacks now accounting for over 42 percent of all cyber incidents, the need for greater awareness around workplace mobile safety in and out of the workplace continues to grow. The Vodafone Business Cybersecurity Report also reveals 20 percent of businesses don't proactively monitor for security threats. It highlights a growing need for greater awareness and security measures for employees, as personal devices often lack the enterprise-grade protections found on company-issued equipment. A hybrid smart device-driven world The report signifies the need for employers and employees to become more risk-aware when accessing private company documents. With almost one million Irish people working in remote or hybrid arrangements last year, and 5.54 million cellular mobile connections active in Ireland in late 2025, there is a growing need for heightened mobile security awareness training among organisations. It's estimated that almost a quarter of companies (23 percent) suffered a cybersecurity breach in 2025, highlighting the importance of educating both employees and employers around safer smart device use. Commenting on the findings, Joanna Gilfoy, Business Director at Vodafone Ireland, said: "With so many companies offering hybrid and remote working, employees are using their handsets to better manage their workload. Without enterprise software and sufficient mobile security awareness training, the risks this poses to companies are significant. Some of the top mobile security threats Vodafone has identified include phishing and smishing, mobile malware, operating system vulnerabilities and spyware, network attacks and SIM swap, along with identity hijacking. Irish companies must ensure their people are aware of the risks associated with mobile use inside and outside the workplace as they continue to navigate complex digital worlds. "At Vodafone Ireland, we continue to support Irish businesses not only with connectivity but with practical guidance, managed security capabilities and awareness programmes designed to help organisations s...

By David Stephen There is a recent analysis on Inside Philanthropy, OpenAI Foundation Sheds More Light on Its Grantmaking, But Big Questions Remain, stating that, "The foundation expects to invest at least $1 billion over the next year. Its areas of investment include: life sciences and curing diseases, jobs and economic impact, AI resiliency and community programs. The foundation also made a series of hires, signaling its commitment to scale up its grantmaking machinery." OpenAI Foundation Should Focus on AI Psychosis, Delusion "The OpenAI Foundation is a public charity and not a private foundation, so it isn't required to disburse 5% annually. That said, its new $1 billion commitment, assuming it materializes over the next year, would represent a massive increase over the $7.6 million OpenAI disbursed in 2024 and the $40.5 million the foundation awarded through its People-First AI Fund." "The foundation's ability to match its rhetoric with philanthropic action hinges on whether it can build the grantmaking infrastructure to deploy billions at scale. But it's the complexion of those grantmaking dollars that worries AI watchdogs, since, as they see it, OpenAI's governance structure hardwires conflicts of interest." AI Delusion and Psychosis At least 1 – 2 times, every month, there is news about ChatGPT causing AI delusion or psychosis, to varying degrees, for someone somewhere in the United States, Canada or Europe. There could be possibility of similar or worse occurrences elsewhere and there may also be several people who did not come forward. There are ongoing lawsuits against OpenAI on AI psychosis. There are adjustments that OpenAI has said they have made about ChatGPT, to avoid those outcomes. Still, ChatGPT continues to be sycophantic, with a great chance it would agree, compliment, respect and care in ways that could appeal to minds. The scariest thing about ChatGPT — as a steep risk — to human minds is that it has conquered language. Language dominates human interactions, human intelligence, human emotions, human feelings, human communication, comprehension and so forth. While there are several other means to many of these, language is too central to human existence and civilization that the competence of ChatGPT, across languages, gives it access to the human mind, possibly at a high-threat level. The mind risks, to people, of ChatGPT requires mind safety. This means the ability to use ChatGPT or any other consumer AI, and retain a lot of balance against sways that may move the mind in directions of delusions or reinforcement of delusions. So, it is possible to have this — called conceptual neuroimaging or theoretical neuroimaging — so that it accompanies chats or at least it is possible to copy chat sessions then paste in the mind safety application, to see [a conceptual display of] the parallel relays and destinations of mind, in that session, then obtain a score. The goal is to heighten awareness, keeping the mind, grounded in reality, for all groups of users, to avoid the contribution or instigation of AI to causing mind deviations, in whatever forms — since AI is now likely to dominate the future. It can also become the industry standard, generate revenues by subscriptions, for its use by other platforms, including against gambling addiction, social media addiction and so forth. OpenAI Foundation This is what OpenAI Foundation should focus on solely for now. Solving the biggest side-effects of the use of ChatGPT. There is little need for external grants, when a major internal and consequential problem has not been resolved. For all the experts that OpenAI has consulted, they have not been able to solve the problem. The only organization that is trying, is a nonprofit, The Human Line Project. They are involved in some lawsuits against OpenAI and they have come under extreme attack. OpenAI Foundation is not doing anything or preparing anything against AI psychosis. They are aligned with OpenAI, with the goal to...

Ireland welcomes the announcement of European AI Innovation Month, taking place from Dublin 14 October to Brussels 17 November 2026, a Europe-wide programme of events dedicated to accelerating artificial intelligence innovation and deployment across the European Union. As part of Ireland's Presidency of the Council of the European Union in 2026, Ireland will officially launch the month with the International AI Summit on 14 October 2026 at the RDS Dublin. Harnessing AI, Ireland ready for EU Innovation Month Under the theme 'Harnessing AI to Revolutionise Europe's Competitiveness' the International AI Summit will focus on Applied AI and sectoral value creation, highlighting Europe's shift from research to applied AI that delivers tangible impact across industries and public services. It will focus on building AI capacity through world-class infrastructure, computing power, sustainable energy, connectivity, and talent, while showcasing transformative opportunities ranging from generative to agentic AI, frontier models, and quantum convergence, all delivered responsibly to maintain public trust. Participants will include EU Commissioners and Ministers, C-suite leaders from major international and European companies and globally recognised AI experts. Sector-focused sessions will examine how AI is transforming key areas of the economy and society, supported by an Innovation spotlight exhibition space demonstrating cutting-edge AI innovation. Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke TD, said, "This AI summit is a unique opportunity to showcase Irish and European leadership in applied AI and demonstrate how innovation can drive competitiveness, create value across our economy and benefit society as a whole. Ireland's vibrant AI ecosystem, world-class talent and strategic infrastructure positions Ireland uniquely to lead these discussions and help shape the future of AI in Europe." Minister of State for Trade Promotion, Artificial Intelligence and Digital Transformation, Niamh Smyth said, "We are now 6 months out from the International AI Summit at the RDS, Ireland is proud to host this flagship event in a venue that has championed innovation for centuries, turning ideas into action. Preparations are fully underway for this key commitment of mine, which will bring together Europe's leading minds in technology, business, and government. By collaborating closely with the European Commission and our industry partners, we are ensuring this AI Summit leaves a lasting impact, establishing Ireland as the go-to hub for the next generation of technology while demonstrating how AI can boost European competitiveness and create tangible value for businesses and citizens." Headline speakers will be announced shortly, with further details on speakers and the full programme to follow. An Expression of Interest will also open in the coming weeks for enterprises interested in participating in the Innovation Spotlight Exhibition. See more stories here. More about Irish Tech News Irish Tech News are Ireland's No. 1 Online Tech Publication and often Ireland's No.1 Tech Podcast too. You can find hundreds of fantastic previous episodes and subscribe using whatever platform you like via our Anchor.fm page here: https://anchor.fm/irish-tech-news If you'd like to be featured in an upcoming Podcast email us at Simon@IrishTechNews.ie now to discuss. Irish Tech News have a range of services available to help promote your business. Why not drop us a line at Info@IrishTechNews.ie now to find out more about how we can help you reach our audience. You can also find and follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat.

The latest research by Switcher.ie has revealed the most affordable places for first-time buyers in Ireland. Our First Time Buyer Affordability Index 2026 shows the least and most attainable areas for joint buyers and sole buyers based on how long it would take to save for a deposit in each region. For housebuyers starting to save this year, our calculations estimate that gathering a deposit could take longer than in previous years. This is due to people saving less and property price rises of typically around 7% throughout 2025, although projections will change year on year due to market and seasonal fluctuations. The average time it takes for a couple to save for a mortgage deposit in Ireland is 7 years 2 months, up from 4 years 7 months last year. Cork, Galway and Meath first-time buyers see deposit saving times almost double. Longford is the most affordable place for first-time buyers, taking 2 years, 3 months to save for a deposit – up from one year, 7 months in 2025. Dún Laoghaire is the least affordable place and could take up to 21 years, 3 months to raise a down payment, which is similar to last year. Roscommon is most affordable for sole buyers. Saving for a deposit takes 3 years, 5 months. Whereas in Dún Laoghaire it could take a staggering 66 years, 5 months. Longford, Leitrim, Donegal, Roscommon, Mayo, Cavan, Clare, Limerick City, Offaly and Monaghan are the 10 most affordable regions. Dún Laoghaire, South Dublin, Galway City, Louth, Wicklow, Fingal, Dublin City, Meath, Kildare, and Cork County are the 10 least affordable places. 65% of Ireland's new builds were completed in the 10 most expensive regions during 2025, while the cheapest 10 areas only attracted 11% of new dwellings. This disadvantages first-time buyers who need to use Help to Buy schemes. Find out how your region ranks and see the full Index at Ireland's most affordable places for first time buyers. * Deposit saving calculations are based on median annual earnings, median property prices and household savings rates from the Central Statistics Office (CSO). For Joint Buyers Top 5 most affordable places for joint buyers Longford was the most affordable place for joint first-time buyers for the third year running. One of the cheapest places to buy a house, it would take just 2.3 years to save the minimum 10% deposit. Leitrim, Donegal, Mayo, and Roscommon joined Longford in the top five most affordable counties for home buyers. To save a deposit in the shortest time, buyers should look to one of these counties or others at the top of our Affordability Index. Couples earning the average salary in Leitrim could save for a mortgage deposit in two years and four months, in Donegal, Roscommon or Mayo, it could take two years and five months. Our research showed that the most affordable places for first-time buyers were not necessarily the areas with the lowest house prices. Although cheaper property prices help, having a comparably higher income makes your mortgage more affordable, and deposits take less time to save. The income-to-house price ratio was around 1 to 3 in these areas. Rank RPPI Region Median first time buyer house price Median annual earnings JOINT BUYERS Years to save 1 Longford €224,000 €38,857 2.3 2 Leitrim €245,000 €41,162 2.4 3 Donegal €225,000 €36,967 2.5 4 Roscommon €260,000 €42,150 2.5 5 Mayo €255,000 €40,657 2.5 Top 5 least affordable places for joint buyers Unsurprisingly, areas in and around Dublin were the most out of reach for first-time buyers, with Dún Laoghaire the least affordable place for both joint and sole buyers. Dún Laoghaire ranks as most out of reach for mortgage seekers, requiring a couple to save for a staggering 21 years and 3 months. South Dublin, Galway City, Louth and Wicklow follow at around 10 years, making them the most challenging regions for joint buyers. The income-to-house-price ratio of over 1:5 makes buying in these desirable areas an impossible dream, even for most dual-income households without a ma...

Solidroad, the AI platform that helps companies evaluate and improve every human and AI customer conversation, has announced a $25 million Series A round. Led by global investment firm Hedosophia, and supported by First Round Capital and Y Combinator, this funding round marks a milestone in Solidroad's growth as enterprises look for new ways to ensure quality across their support operations. Building off the momentum of their seed round, led by First Round Capital in June 2025, Solidroad will use this recent round of funding to expand its teams across San Francisco and Dublin, furthering the platform's role as a leader in quality assurance (QA) for customer support. "We turn every customer interaction into measurable insight," said Solidroad co-founder and CEO Mark Hughes. "While most company support interactions go unreviewed, our platform evaluates them at scale, holding every interaction to a high quality standard to ensure customers feel supported. This funding enables us to expand our team and capabilities so more companies can make exceptional service the standard, not the exception." Solidroad strengthens customer experience (CX) through AI-powered training and quality insights. It reviews 100% of a company's customer interactions and generates insights that help support teams reduce manual quality assurance work, resulting in significantly higher customer satisfaction. The platform also uses these insights to create personalised training simulations to address areas of improvement for agents. This helps teams improve quality while keeping QA costs from rising when ticket volume grows. "We've built Solidroad to make sure every customer interaction becomes something teams can learn from," said Solidroad co-founder and CTO Patrick Finlay. "By evaluating conversations at scale, we're able to define what high-quality support looks like and apply that standard consistently across both human and AI agents. This funding allows us to expand those capabilities and bring that level of visibility and improvement to even more companies." Since launching in 2023, Solidroad has grown its customer base with brands including Ryanair, ?URA, and Crypto.com. Customers use the platform to automate QA coverage, reduce manual review hours, accelerate agent onboarding, and drive higher customer satisfaction scores through continuous, data-driven coaching. Additionally, Solidroad's AI analyses hundreds of conversations in seconds, making it ideal for companies managing high interaction volumes and scaling support teams. To date, Solidroad's platform has scored millions of interactions and increased analyst productivity by up to 10x. "AI is transforming how companies handle customer support, but maintaining consistent quality is still a huge challenge," said Andrew Smyth, Partner at Hedosophia. "Solidroad brings the needed visibility and oversight to every interaction, helping support teams continuously improve. We're excited to back a platform that is helping companies scale their support, while ensuring the customer experience is the main priority." This funding round reflects growing demand from CX and operations leaders to scale support quality without scaling headcount. Solidroad automates quality assurance across customer interactions and turns insights into targeted coaching, so quality, consistency, and speed improve as volume grows, whether interactions are handled by humans, AI, or both. See more stories here. More about Irish Tech News Irish Tech News are Ireland's No. 1 Online Tech Publication and often Ireland's No.1 Tech Podcast too. You can find hundreds of fantastic previous episodes and subscribe using whatever platform you like via our Anchor.fm page here: https://anchor.fm/irish-tech-news If you'd like to be featured in an upcoming Podcast email us at Simon@IrishTechNews.ie now to discuss. Irish Tech News have a range of services available to help promote your business. Why not drop us a line at Info@IrishTechNews.ie now t...

Alienware has announced the availability of a new 27-inch QD-OLED gaming monitor in Ireland, marking a move to bring high-end display technology to a broader range of users at a lower price point. This launch forms part of Alienware's broader strategy to bring premium gaming performance to a wider audience, with the AW2726DM representing a further step in that direction. The new monitor (AW2726DM) is priced at €419.00, representing the brand's most accessible entry into QD-OLED monitors to date, a category typically associated with premium pricing. The launch reflects a wider trend in the gaming hardware market, where advanced display technologies are gradually becoming more attainable for mainstream consumers. Designed to deliver an immersive visual experience, the QD-OLED panel offers DCI-P3 99% colour coverage and an infinite contrast ratio, enabling lifelike colours and deep black hues across a range of content – from richly detailed virtual environments to fast-paced competitive gameplay. The new monitor features a 240Hz refresh rate and 0.03ms response time, supporting smoother gameplay and responsiveness, while compatibility with FreeSync Premium and VESA AdaptiveSync aims to ensure stability across different systems. Beyond performance, the device also incorporates ergonomic design features and is positioned as suitable for both gaming and day-to-day general use. Its QD-OLED panel is designed to deliver improved colour accuracy and contrast compared to traditional LCD displays. Alienware is also offering a three-year warranty, including OLED burn-in cover, which may address durability concerns sometimes associated with OLED technology. The product is now available nationwide. More about Irish Tech News Irish Tech News are Ireland's No. 1 Online Tech Publication and often Ireland's No.1 Tech Podcast too. You can find hundreds of fantastic previous episodes and subscribe using whatever platform you like via our Anchor.fm page here: https://anchor.fm/irish-tech-news If you'd like to be featured in an upcoming Podcast email us at Simon@IrishTechNews.ie now to discuss. Irish Tech News have a range of services available to help promote your business. Why not drop us a line at Info@IrishTechNews.ie now to find out more about how we can help you reach our audience. You can also find and follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat.

New provisional data from EirGrid, the operator and developer of Ireland's electricity grid, shows that 49% of electricity came from renewable sources in March. This is similar to the previous month of February, when 48% of energy was generated by renewable sources. Contributing 40% of the overall fuel mix in March, wind energy made up a significant proportion of renewable energy. Total generation of wind amounted to 1,258 GWh (Gigawatt hours). The overall electricity system demand?stood at?3142?GWh in March,?compared to 3027GWh?in February. While not summer yet, spring sunshine and a growth in solar power connected to Ireland's grid (grid-scale solar farms) resulted in a number of solar records on the power system in March, and this trend is anticipated to continue over the coming months. On 21 March, a new peak for grid-scale solar was achieved, contributing 983.46MW to Ireland's electricity mix. This comes close to 1GW (1000 MW), which is enough to power roughly 500,000 customers. This follows a record of 979 MW hit on 19 March and 950 MW reached on 6 March. These figures relate to grid-scale solar, from larger solar farms, and do not account for rooftop solar on homes and businesses, known as embedded solar. With rooftop (embedded) solar accounted for, EirGrid has observed significant changes in electricity requirements from the National Control Centre. On sunny days, demand during the day for electricity from large electricity generators has declined, as many homes, businesses and farms are powering themselves with embedded solar. When compared to the previous Thursday (12 March), demand in the early afternoon of Thursday 19 March was significantly less, with a difference of 974 MW. This can largely be explained by the amount of embedded solar available, given the better weather on that day, compared to 12 March. EirGrid is observing days where demand is lower in the early afternoon than at night. Again, the amount of embedded solar can significantly account for this. EirGrid's National Control Centre carries out the complex task of balancing the supply of solar energy alongside conventional generation sources and other renewable resources such as wind power to ensure that demand can be met. Charlie McGee, EirGrid's System Operational Manager, said: "While solar power is currently a relatively small component of the overall fuel mix across a month, these record peaks demonstrate its ever-increasing importance as a source of renewable energy in Ireland as we work towards a more sustainable and renewable-ready electricity grid." "Looking in particular at the instantaneous power that grid-scale solar can provide, it can meet over 20% of demand at times. "It's also interesting to see how much of an impact rooftop solar is having on overall system demand. On brighter days, less of Ireland's electricity needs are now served by large-scale grid-connected generation. This is helping to further reduce our reliance on non-renewable sources of electricity." More about Irish Tech News Irish Tech News are Ireland's No. 1 Online Tech Publication and often Ireland's No.1 Tech Podcast too. You can find hundreds of fantastic previous episodes and subscribe using whatever platform you like via our Anchor.fm page here: https://anchor.fm/irish-tech-news If you'd like to be featured in an upcoming Podcast email us at Simon@IrishTechNews.ie now to discuss. Irish Tech News have a range of services available to help promote your business. Why not drop us a line at Info@IrishTechNews.ie now to find out more about how we can help you reach our audience. You can also find and follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat.

Dublin Tech Summit, the marquee event of Ireland's inaugural Dublin Tech Week, has announced a compelling lineup of fireside chats and featured sessions for its 2026 edition, taking place on May 28–29 at the RDS in Dublin. These panels will spotlight influential figures from the realms of music, technology and entrepreneurship, offering attendees unique insights into the evolving landscape of innovation. Key fireside chats include: Proof of Human: Building the Provenance Layer for the AI Age – A conversation with Andrew Melchior, CTO of Massive Attack and Founder of deep-tech startup Genotone, as well as a composer with over 25 years – working with the catalogues of David Bowie, Sir George Martin and Peter Gabriel. AI, Media & the Value of Truth – Almar Latour, CEO, Dow Jones – In conversation with Jennifer Cunningham, Editor in Chief, Newsweek. Sarah Wynn Williams – Author and Tech & Policy Expert, Former Global Head of Public Policy Facebook. Doomscrolled: Music in the Age of Endless Trash – in conversation with Sigurdur Arnason – Co-founder & CEO of Overtune and Paul Hourican, Head of Creative Industries, Namier Capital Partners. Featured panels & sessions: Can Data Centres Survive the AI Boom? – Ciaran Flanagan, VP & Global Head of Data Center Solutions & Services, Siemens with Jason Lynch, CEO of Equal1, in conversation with Carmel Crimmens, host of Reuters Econ World. Europe's Digital Sovereignty: Who's Funding the Next Unicorns? With Ayuna Nechaeva, Head of Europe, London Stock Exchange in conversation with Ülane Vilumets, Head of Global Expansion, e-residency. UpScrolled: Can Social Media Exist Without Manipulation? – Issam Hijazi, CEO, Upscrolled, makes the case for a radically different model. Eric Mosley, founder and CEO of Workhuman, will be honoured with the Visionary Leader Award at the Dublin Tech Summit Leaders Dinner on May 26. Mosley has spent more than two decades championing a more human-centric approach to work, pioneering the Workhuman movement. Alvina Antar, Chief Digital Officer at F5, will also be honoured with the Grace Hopper Award at the event on May 26. The award recognises a female STEM leader whose achievements have made a lasting impact on technology and society, empowering women in tech and the next generation of innovators. Clare Kilmartin, COO of Dublin Tech Week commented, "Dublin Tech Week 2026 will bring together some of the most prominent voices and innovators to address the most important challenges and opportunities shaping our world today." Daniel Cahill, Content & Programme Director for Dublin Tech Summit, added, "This year's agenda is designed to challenge thinking and spark meaningful dialogue, bringing together bold, diverse perspectives on how technology is reshaping our future." See more stories here.

Audrey AI, the Dublin-based startup building AI purpose-built for financial auditors, has closed a $1.8 million pre-seed funding round. The round is led by SVV (Sure Valley Ventures) and Delta Partners, with participation from Enterprise Ireland, Donnchadh Casey (ex-CEO Calypso), Conor Jones (ex-CBO Wayflyer) alongside former Big 4 auditors. Financial auditing is a global market worth more than $100 billion, yet it remains one of the most manual professions in financial services. Qualified professionals spend the majority of their time in spreadsheets, chasing documents and testing evidence – manual work that drives up costs, squeezes time for higher value work and pushes talented professionals out of the industry. General-purpose AI tools have struggled with the messy tabular data and complex evidence workflows that define the profession. Audrey AI was founded in 2025 by Ryan Loughran and David Burke, who met on the Founders programme at Dogpatch Labs.Loughran, who holds a degree in Accounting and an MBA from Stanford GSB, previously worked at McKinsey & Company and Qualtrics. Burke, formerly VP of Engineering at Inscribe, built document and data automation technology for regulated financial institutions. The platform automates the most time-intensive, manual parts of an audit engagement; evidence gathering and testing. Purpose-built as an agentic system, it orchestrates messy client data and applies audit procedures end-to-end, eliminating context switching. Crucially, it learns how each firm audits, compounding in value the more it is used. Audrey has piloted at top-10 and top-20 audit firms, delivering 85%+ time savings on client data collection, validation, and tests of detail, alongside measurable improvements in audit quality. The investment will fund growth across engineering and audit specialists as the company expands with firms across Ireland, the UK and beyond. "Developers have Copilot, lawyers have Harvey, but auditors still primarily work in Excel," said Loughran. "We're building AI that understands auditing deeply enough to raise the bar on quality, not just speed, freeing auditors to focus on the judgment and oversight that matters most." Liam Te-Wierik, Partner and Head of Digital Assurance at Grant Thornton Australia, echoed the focus on quality: "The value of Audrey lies in how it enables a step change in audit quality by redesigning the execution of manual procedures – not by changing our methodology, but by strengthening how it's applied in practice. That's the kind of innovation we believe will define the next generation of audit." Barry Downes, Managing Partner at SVV, described the investment as addressing "a critical pressure point for audit firms – chronic talent shortages and margin pressure in a heavily regulated industry," adding that Audrey's ability to "save 80-90% of time on repetitive work and tailor to each firm's methodology gives it the unique ability to scale capacity and dramatically improve margins." Dermot Berkery, Partner at Delta Partners and a former auditor himself, added: "Ryan and David have built something that doesn't just automate tasks but raises the bar on audit quality across the profession. We're excited to back them." About Audrey AI Audrey AI is building agentic AI purpose-built for financial auditors. Its platform automates the manual workflows that dominate the audit process, from intelligent data requests and evidence gathering to automated review and transaction testing, allowing auditors to focus on judgment and client relationships rather than spreadsheets and document chasing. Audrey AI generates smart, context-aware requests for client data, reviews submissions in real time and provides instant feedback, eliminating the back-and-forth that consumes a disproportionate share of audit hours. The platform adapts to each firm's methodology, compounding in value the more it is used. Audrey AI is headquartered in Dublin. For more information, visit tryaudrey.ai. See mo...

Photo Dr Andrew Cameron, co-founder and Chief Executive of FeelTect, and Dr Darren Burke, co-founder and Chief Technology Officer of FeelTect. Credit – Andrew Downes, xposure. A groundbreaking clinical trial led by researchers at University of Galway is set to transform how a chronic and debilitating vein condition is treated. Forty patients who suffer from venous leg ulcers (VLUs) are being enrolled in the trial in Ireland, which is being coordinated through the University's Institute for Clinical Trials, enabling clinicians to monitor and direct treatment remotely, in real-time. Improving remote patient treatment and monitoring The trial is being carried out in partnership with FeelTect, a medical technology start-up based in Spiddal, Co. Galway, as part of funding through the Government's Disruptive Technology Innovation Fund, managed by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and administered through Enterprise Ireland. Patients will be treated using advanced pressure monitoring technology. FeelTect has created a wearable, pressure-sensing device, Tight Alright®, which when paired with a mobile app, can enable clinicians to measure and remotely monitor sub-bandage pressure applied during compression therapy. This supports more consistent compression application with the potential to improve healing rates, reduce treatment costs and enhance patient quality of life. Professor Fidelma Dunne, Director of the Institute for Clinical Trials, University of Galway, said: "This trial reflects the role of the Institute for Clinical Trials as a national centre of excellence in the design and delivery of innovative studies. By integrating decentralised, patient?centred approaches, we are strengthening Ireland's clinical research capabilities and supporting the national objective to retain and grow trial activity. Through the Government's DTIF support, this collaboration with an Irish start-up demonstrates how innovation developed in Ireland can be tested, validated and scaled within our own health system through academic-industry collaborative partnerships." Dr Andrew Cameron, Chief Executive of FeelTect, said: "We are delighted to see the commencement of this valuable research, assessing data-driven, connected-health solutions for improving the treatment of venous leg ulcer patients. FeelTect is extremely fortunate to be working with our valued partners in University of Galway, including the Institute for Clinical Trials and Clinical Trials Corrib Research Centre, as well as world class clinicians, ensuring the quality and successful execution of the study. The broader implications of the study relate to the optimisation of compression therapy – a fundamental, first-line treatment for a host of venous and lymphatic diseases." Over a 90-day period, the research team will assess healing rates of patients, their quality of life and how the FeelTect Tight Alright device is used and how the compression treatment is applied. The trial is enabling remote monitoring and data collection – either at home or in local primary care centres. This reduces the need for frequent hospital visits, improves patient comfort and reduces unnecessary clinical visits – an approach which is particularly beneficial for patients with mobility challenges while also allowing clinicians to better understand treatment effectiveness outside a clinical facility. The study is supported by the Institute for Clinical Trials at University of Galway through its Trials Accelerator programme, which provides early-phase setup support. Patients are recruited through Merlin Park Vascular Outpatients clinic, HSE West North West, and community centres in the region. Clinical delivery is being carried out by the CORRIB Core Lab at University of Galway which is responsible for the operational and clinical execution of the trial. About the Institute for Clinical Trials The Institute for Clinical Trials at University of Galway is a national centre of excellence for the ...

The 5th Annual Bitcoin Ireland Conference will return to Dublin from 22–25 May 2026, bringing together global leaders, entrepreneurs, educators, investors, and policymakers for four days dedicated exclusively to Bitcoin. Now entering its fifth year, the conference has grown into one of Europe's leading Bitcoin-only gatherings, focused on high-signal conversations around monetary innovation, infrastructure, mining, policy, education, and real-world adoption. Bitcoin Ireland Conference May 2026 Unlike broader digital asset events, Bitcoin Ireland Conference maintains a strict Bitcoin-only focus, attracting a mature and high-conviction audience of builders, capital allocators, and long-term thinkers from across the global Bitcoin ecosystem. Event Program The 2026 edition expands the event into a four-day experience designed to encourage both learning and meaningful connections within the Bitcoin community. 22 May – Opening Events The conference begins with a series of community-driven activities including the Bitcoin Walk, Bitcoin Ireland Football Cup, Book signings, and informal networking events across Dublin. 23 May – Conference Day 1 The first full conference day features keynote presentations, expert panels, workshops, and networking sessions, bringing together speakers from across the global Bitcoin ecosystem. 24 May – Conference Day 2 The program continues with additional keynotes, discussions, and workshops, concluding with the conference's official after-party, where attendees can connect with speakers, partners, and fellow Bitcoiners. 25 May –Satoshi VIP Pass Exclusive Event The final day features a private engagement trip for Satoshi VIP Pass holders, offering an exclusive opportunity to connect with speakers and partners in a more intimate setting. A Global Bitcoin Gathering Bitcoin Ireland Conference has established itself as a platform where serious Bitcoin conversations happen — bringing together individuals and organizations working across mining, policy, finance, infrastructure, education, and enterprise adoption. With attendance expected to approach 1,000 participants in 2026, the event continues to attract a growing international audience seeking meaningful discussions and long-term collaboration within the Bitcoin ecosystem. Tickets Tickets for Bitcoin Ireland Conference 2026 are now available. ? Secure your ticket: https://bitcoinireland.eu/ Early registration is recommended as ticket tiers are limited. About Bitcoin Ireland Conference Founded to support education and real-world adoption, Bitcoin Ireland Conference is an independent event focused solely on Bitcoin. The conference brings together global leaders, innovators, and the wider community to explore the future of Bitcoin through open dialogue, research, and collaboration. See more breaking stories here. More about Irish Tech News Irish Tech News are Ireland's No. 1 Online Tech Publication and often Ireland's No.1 Tech Podcast too. You can find hundreds of fantastic previous episodes and subscribe using whatever platform you like via our Anchor.fm page here: https://anchor.fm/irish-tech-news If you'd like to be featured in an upcoming Podcast email us at Simon@IrishTechNews.ie now to discuss. Irish Tech News have a range of services available to help promote your business. Why not drop us a line at Info@IrishTechNews.ie now to find out more about how we can help you reach our audience. You can also find and follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat.

Iarnród Éireann has introduced PayPal as a payment option at checkout on their website and app, giving millions of travelers in Ireland and overseas a simple and secure way to purchase rail tickets. Customers can purchase tickets directly from their PayPal account using either their PayPal balance, or other funding source. Iarnród Éireann is one of Ireland's preferred transport providers, carrying over 55 million passengers in 2025. By enabling PayPal on their website and app, the company is adding another convenient payment option for customers worldwide to book tickets, when travelling with Iarnród Éireann. "Travelers expect payments they know and trust, wherever they book," said Jonas Breding, General Manager, PayPal Northern Europe. "The early results of our cooperation show clear international demand, with more than 20 percent of Iarnród Éireann transactions via PayPal coming from outside Ireland, with a significant share of them from the United States." "Our priority is to make booking rail travel easy to buy, easy to use, and as accessible as possible," said Keith Faherty, Head of Digital Channels at Iarnród Éireann. "By adding PayPal to our supported payment methods, we are giving our customers what they want – greater choice and reassurance at checkout – making the first step of their journey even easier and more convenient, wherever they are travelling from." PayPal's cooperation with Iarnród Éireann marks another step in strengthening the company's presence in Ireland's travel sector and reinforces its long-term commitment to the Irish market. PayPal has operated in Ireland since 2003, with Dublin being home to one of its largest European hubs. See more stories here. More about Irish Tech News Irish Tech News are Ireland's No. 1 Online Tech Publication and often Ireland's No.1 Tech Podcast too. You can find hundreds of fantastic previous episodes and subscribe using whatever platform you like via our Anchor.fm page here: https://anchor.fm/irish-tech-news If you'd like to be featured in an upcoming Podcast email us at Simon@IrishTechNews.ie now to discuss. Irish Tech News have a range of services available to help promote your business. Why not drop us a line at Info@IrishTechNews.ie now to find out more about how we can help you reach our audience. You can also find and follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat.

Broadband network operator, SIRO, has announced that its fibre-to-the-premise broadband network (full fibre) has now passed 700,000 premises and is available in towns and cities in every county in Ireland. The milestone of its network reaching 700,000 premises is part of a wider national objective of creating a full fibre Ireland by 2028. However, with more than 85% of all Irish premises now able to access full fibre broadband, SIRO has called for the switching off Ireland's existing, outdated copper broadband network to be fast-tracked. SIRO's Fibre Broadband Network Passes 700,000 The 700, 000th premises passed by SIRO's network is Bray-based print and embroidery specialist, Visual Print. The company was established in 2001 and offers a wide range of printing services, catering to both small and large volume orders. It specialises in direct screen printing, DTF printing and garment embroidery, operating from two warehouse in the Solus Industrial Estate in Bray, employing a staff of 11. Fibre broadband connectivity is a critical enabler of Visual Print's operations used for transferring large design files, online ordering platforms, maintaining networked printers and Cloud-based print management. While Visual Print has switched off its copper-based broadband and moved to SIRO's full fibre broadband, a worrying high number of Irish businesses are yet to make the move. Comreg data indicates that only 12% of business using broadband have a full fibre connection. Fibre to the Premise broadband is accepted as offering faster speeds and a more reliable and resilient connection than copper which can be slower, less dependable and more vulnerable to both storms and cybersecurity issues. Switching off Ireland's existing, outdated copper broadband network will ensure the national standard of connectivity enjoys greater resiliency, is future-proofed, and better equipped to support Ireland withstand challenges such as climate change or the impacts of the current global energy crisis. The process of copper switch off is gathering pace across Europe, with switch off completed or well advanced in France, Spain and Sweden and the U.K.'s commencing next January. However, Ireland does not yet have a national target date for when switch off will start or complete, even though the conditions for beginning the process now exist. This continued reliance on a broadband technology no longer fit for purpose, notwithstanding full fibre alternatives, leave Irish businesses exposed in areas such as the adoption of AI and other new technologies, productivity and profitability. Commenting on Visual Print's recent connection to SIRO's network, Paul Doyle, Managing Director of Visual Print, said: "Since establishing Visual Print more than twenty-five years ago, we have continued to invest in our equipment, facilities and services to ensure we can meet the needs of our customers as the business has grown. "With SIRO's fibre broadband, we have seen a significant improvement in how we manage and process orders internally. Faster, more reliable connectivity has streamlined communication between our team, improved file handling and workflow efficiency, and allows us to provide quicker updates and more accurate lead times to our customers. This has had a direct and positive impact on both our productivity and overall customer experience." Commenting on the milestone, John Keaney, SIRO CEO, said: "Our network now reaching more than 700,000 homes and businesses is another significant milestone for SIRO, while also actively contributing to the overall national objective of a full fibre Gigabit Ireland by 2028. "Reliable and future proofed full fibre broadband connectivity is a key foundation for the continued growth and productivity of Irish business. "As Visual Print's experience demonstrates, switching off copper and switching on to fibre broadband, delivers tangible benefits for Irish business. "Equally, as the global energy crisis continues, more businesses a...

Some home insurance considerations to think about. Almost one third (31%) of homeowners researched have upgraded their homes in the past three years, including insulation and solar panel installation, highlighting growing customer focus on energy efficiency and BER ratings. Despite the prevalence of home upgrades however, 61% of those who made improvements didn't notify their insurers, leaving them at potential risk of being underinsured or missing out on potential savings on their premium. Home insurance pitfalls to avoid The research also indicates that almost a quarter (24%) of homeowners don't understand the concept of underinsurance – where the sums insured on a policy are at an amount that is less than the value it will cost to reinstate, repair or replace them. With the rising prevalence of severe weather events in recent years, 52% of homeowners across Ireland now state storm damage as one of their top three fears in relation to their homes – reinforcing the importance of ensuring insurance policies provide homeowners with adequate protection. When it comes to policy renewal, just four in ten customers (40%) are reviewing their terms in detail before renewing, and almost half (48%) admit to renewing once the price meets their expectations. Bank of Ireland is encouraging customers to review their insurance policies carefully before renewing, to ensure their policy accurately reflects the requirements of their home and its contents. Jewellery is called out predominantly as the most cherished item in respondents' homes – with jewellery, computer technology, furniture and mobile phones the top four items homeowners are most concerned about losing or damaging. Niall Moran, Head of Sales, Bank of Ireland Insurance Services, said: "Many customers are investing in upgrades such as heating systems, energy efficiency improvements and security features, but too often these changes aren't reflected in their policies – meaning some are missing out on potential cost savings. "Our message is simple: always review your policy before you renew. Check your sums insured, declare any upgrades and ensure your cover reflects the true value of your home and contents. We are committed to providing clear guidance and practical support to help customers protect their homes. "At Bank of Ireland we provide up to 20% off insurance premiums for Ecosaver Mortgage customers who are making sustainable improvements to their homes – so you're improving the environment and saving money at the same time." Bank of Ireland's insurance advice includes: Carefully review your annual home insurance renewal notice Check Buildings and Contents cover – renovations and upgrades may impact sums insured Ensure contents cover reflects the full cost of replacing specific personal items and household goods Notify your insurer of a claim as soon as possible and before undertaking any repair work See more breaking stories here. More about Irish Tech News Irish Tech News are Ireland's No. 1 Online Tech Publication and often Ireland's No.1 Tech Podcast too. You can find hundreds of fantastic previous episodes and subscribe using whatever platform you like via our Anchor.fm page here: https://anchor.fm/irish-tech-news If you'd like to be featured in an upcoming Podcast email us at Simon@IrishTechNews.ie now to discuss. Irish Tech News have a range of services available to help promote your business. Why not drop us a line at Info@IrishTechNews.ie now to find out more about how we can help you reach our audience. You can also find and follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat.

Each week, as Sunday evening approaches, so too does the crippling dread about the workweek ahead. For Ireland, it's triggering anxiety, disrupted sleep, spiralling thoughts and the sense that the weekend never fully allows us to switch off before Monday arrives again, as two-thirds reveal work to be "too demanding'. Stress Awareness Month New analysis conducted by neuromodulation company Parasym finds that Ireland is a population struggling with the 'Sunday Scaries' amid a backdrop of worsening workplace burnout. The findings come at a time when Ireland already ranks the worst in the world for sleep, prompting questions over whether it could also be one of the most burnt-out nations, as two-thirds (66%) say work is too demanding and over half (56%) work overtime just to keep up. Research shows the 'Sunday Scaries' or 'The Glenroes' as it's sometimes called in Ireland, is extremely common, affecting three-quarters (75%) according to a comparative UK survey of 2,000 Monday to Friday workers. Common symptoms include overthinking (51%) and anxiety (51%), typically kicking in around 5.17pm on a Sunday evening. What follows is disrupted sleep, tossing and turning over what the workweek ahead brings. In Ireland's case, Parasym discovered that around 30% of adults in Ireland experience sleep difficulties regularly, with insomnia disorder affecting approximately 15% of Irish adults. For nearly a third of workers (31%), this pattern occurs weekly, creating a recurring cycle of anticipatory stress before the working week even begins. Today, the World Health Organisation (WHO) officially recognises the Sunday Scaries, attributing the feeling to deeper, structural issues with modern workplace culture. The health risks associated are burdensome, with those working an excess of 55 or more hours a week at 35% higher risk of stroke and a 17% higher risk of death from ischemic heart disease, when compared to people who worked 35 to 40 hours a week. In recent years, trends such as "quiet quitting" and "rage applying" have proliferated online, suggesting this weekly cycle of anxiety might be getting worse. So far in 2026, Ireland's searches for 'burnout' are up 25% in the last quarter and since January 1st, Tiktok's on 'job burnout' have amassed views of over 200k. Ireland is an overworked nation Despite Ireland's introduction of the 'right to disconnect' in 2021, designed to give employees, whether in the office or working from home, the right to switch off and refuse work outside normal hours, the evidence shows that five years on, Ireland is a nation that's still overworked, leading to burnout. Recent research shows only a quarter of Irish professionals can stick to their 'core' office hours with 37% reporting that they either have to start earlier or finish later depending on workload, of which two-thirds (66%) describe as too demanding, and over half (56%) say they have to work over normal hours to catch up on work or meet deadlines. With pressure building throughout the week, it's no surprise that by Sunday evening many workers feel the strain mount up. In 2025, a survey of 1,000 employees in Ireland revealed that over a quarter (29%) said work negatively impacted their mental health which led to nearly one in four (24%) taking mental-health leave in the previous year, significantly higher than the European average of 18%. But despite how widespread the issue is for workers of all ages, many people never seek formal support and many don't have adequate coping mechanisms. How nervous system support can help Elisabetta Burchi, Head of Research at Parasym and Clinical Psychiatrist says: "The kind of weekly stress that the Sunday Scaries represents can lead to long-term health consequences that go beyond the psychological level. Prospective studies show that cumulative exposure to work-related stress significantly increases the risk of depression and anxiety disorders, and is also associated with cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, hyp...

Winners will receive technical support to build a minimum viable product (MVP), worth up to €100,000, and gain access to investors Portugal will host a first-of-its-kind competition for femtech startups and research labs this spring. It will bring together innovators working at the intersection of artificial intelligence and women's health. The initiative, launched by the scientific platform EmbryoNet-AI in partnership with FemTech Real Money Talks Media, a European media platform covering innovation in women's health and femtech, aims to accelerate real-world breakthroughs by transforming early-stage ideas and clinical questions into working AI solutions. FemTech startups event in Portugal this spring "Women's health has been long underfunded, and under-researched. With this competition we want to change that and bring light to talented teams that are moving this field forward", Elena Lipilina, co-founder and CMO of Embryonet AI. Organizers have already launched an open call, which will remain open until 28 April 2026, with all submissions due by midnight CET. It is open for both Portuguese and international teams who have a strong hypothesis and access to imaging or time-series data, and who are seeking to answer critical questions in women's health using AI, whether in drug discovery, diagnostic support, or clinical research. Early-stage startups in women's health that do not yet have a product or MVP are also invited to apply. "We are interested in clinical and drug discovery challenges where AI has the potential to create a meaningful impact in women's health. This includes projects that leverage time-series phenotyping to better understand drug response and disease mechanisms in areas such as gynaecological cancers, endometriosis, and fertility research. We also interested in team that want to accelerate medical image pre-labeling for datasets derived from mammography, pelvic MRI, ultrasound, or pathology slides, as well as solutions that combine phenotypic and clinical data to support decision-making in clinical trials, biomarker discovery, and treatment stratification", shared Lipilina. Among applications, organizers will select up to 10 companies based on their potential impact on women's health, readiness of data, alignment with EmbryoNet-AI's capabilities, feasibility within the program timeframe, and the strength of their business case, alongside ethical and sustainability considerations. These shortlisted teams will move into the next phase—the Mentor Sprint, that will take place in early May 2026. During this period, participants will work closely with experts across technology, marketing, and clinical domains to refine their project scope and strengthen their approach. The program will culminate in a Live Pitch Day in May 2026, where finalists will present their solutions to a panel of investors and experts from the fields of women's health, artificial intelligence, and biotech. The winning team will then enter an 8–10 week build period, running from May to July 2026, during which EmbryoNet-AI will deliver a fully developed, services-first pilot at no cost. According to Lipilina, this will allow the team to save between €65,000 and €100,000—the typical cost of developing an MVP, depending on the product's complexity. The winner will also gain direct access to investors active in women's health and AI-driven biotech, as well as enhanced public credibility through investor-ready materials, including pitch decks, and media exposure. See more breaking stories here. More about Irish Tech News Irish Tech News are Ireland's No. 1 Online Tech Publication and often Ireland's No.1 Tech Podcast too. You can find hundreds of fantastic previous episodes and subscribe using whatever platform you like via our Anchor.fm page here: https://anchor.fm/irish-tech-news If you'd like to be featured in an upcoming Podcast email us at Simon@IrishTechNews.ie now to discuss. Irish Tech News have a range of services available to help p...

The real climate risks to Ireland from changes to the Atlantic currents that sustain our mild climate are obscured by exaggerated claims in media headlines and movies. That's according to Dr Gerard McCarthy, a Maynooth University (MU) oceanographer at the Irish Climate Analysis and Research UnitS (ICARUS) in the Department of Geography, who has led a new article for Nature Climate Change. AMOC: accurately measuring the Atlantic Meridional Circulation The latest paper is a retrospective on a landmark 2015 study led by Professor Stefan Rahmstorf, which identified long-term Atlantic cooling as a sign that the Atlantic Meridional Circulation (AMOC) was weakening. "The extreme climate collapse scenarios depicted in the Hollywood film, The Day After Tomorrow, and even in headlines of reputable mainstream media are often not grounded in scientific reality, but the genuine risks for Ireland are still significant and require proper planning," said Dr McCarthy. "It has happened that a new paper comes out, you get headlines saying the AMOC is going to collapse in the next few years. What we need to do is bring together a broader scientific voice to properly assess all the existing AMOC research literature, rather than having these seesawing headlines that concern and confuse our policymakers," said Dr McCarthy. Dr McCarthy added, "the study led by Stefan Rahmstorf, one of the most influential studies of AMOC, used changes in sea surface temperature records stretching back over a century to build its case. The records show that the stretch of ocean lying between Ireland and Canada is the only region on Earth that has systematically cooled while almost everywhere else warmed. This retrospective paper, co-authored by Professor Hans-Otto Pörtner of the Alfred Wegener Institute in Bremerhaven, considered the questions raised by the Rahmstorf paper and highlighted the need for a clearer scientific consensus, setting the stage for a larger international research project called the AMOC in Focus assessment report, which Dr McCarthy is co-leading and is sponsored by JPI Ocean and JPI Climate. This project is a 60-scientist, 14-country initiative aimed at producing authoritative, usable guidance for policymakers in Europe and around the world. Regarding what AMOC changes mean for Ireland's future, Dr McCarthy said it's likely we will see relative cooling in the Atlantic. "Cooling is not really what I'm worried about. What concerns me is changes in precipitation patterns and storminess. A weakening AMOC tightens the temperature gradient that fuels Atlantic storms, like a taut elastic band – and then more of those storms get catapulted towards Ireland. Ireland sits right at the end of this system. We are hugely dependent on the heat it transports, so we need a clear consensus voice, grounded in science, to plan properly," said Dr McCarthy. Dr McCarthy is an expert on AMOC; the system of ocean currents, sometimes known as the Gulf Stream System, that is critical to Ireland's temperate climate, despite it being at a similar latitude to southern Alaska. He also co-chairs the ongoing AMOC in Focus assessment, which brings together leading scientists from across Europe, Canada, and the USA to assess the likelihood and risks of a potential disruption to the Atlantic Ocean's circulation system and its associated implications for climate, ecosystems, people, and the economy. The paper in Nature Climate Change will be available online tomorrow, once the embargo lifts. About AMOC The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) is a system of ocean currents that moves warm water northwards in the Atlantic and returns colder water southwards at depth. It helps regulate climate—especially in Europe—by keeping temperatures milder and influencing rainfall and sea levels. Scientists are closely monitoring the AMOC, as evidence suggests it may be slowing due to climate change. Changes to this system could have wide-ranging impacts on weather and ecosystems...

Following a hugely successful debut in Derry~Londonderry in last year, TechTides is set to expand to Belfast this summer, with a major one-day conference taking place at the ICC Belfast on Thursday 11th June 2026. Building on the momentum of its inaugural event, TechTides Belfast will bring together technologists, developers, founders, startups, CEOs, business leaders, and students from across the island for a full day of insights, discussion and collaboration. TechTides comes to Belfast, 11th June 2026 The event is being delivered in partnership with headline sponsors Alchemy Technology Services, Allstate NI and HighLevel, highlighting TechTides' ambition to inspire and accelerate growth across the technology sector. A strong line-up of speakers has already been confirmed, including Perdie Alder (VC/Startup Partnerships at Zendesk), Alan Carson (Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer at Cloudsmith), Hermione Way (technology entrepreneur and former Head of Communications at Tinder), and John Taylor, Chief Executive Officer at Alchemy Technology Services. Attendees can expect a dynamic programme of keynote sessions, panels and networking opportunities, alongside an evening social sponsored by Cloudsmith. Alastair Cameron, TechTides founder and Derry entrepreneur, said: "Last year's inaugural TechTides event proved there's a real appetite for a conference that brings the entire tech community together. This has always been about the whole technology ecosystem – from early-stage talent to experienced leaders – and bringing the conference to Belfast is the next step. We're excited to build on that momentum and support the continued growth of the tech sector across Northern Ireland." Erin McFeely, Director Northern Ireland at Alchemy Technology Services, said: "Supporting TechTides aligns closely with our commitment to building a sustainable and thriving technology sector. As a business built around people, partnerships and long-term impact, we recognise the importance of connecting industry leaders, start-ups and emerging talent. As TechTides expands to Belfast, we look forward to being part of an environment where ideas can be shared, relationships can be built and innovation can flourish, all of which are critical to the continued success of Northern Ireland's tech industry." As the second edition of the conference, TechTides Belfast will be followed by a return to the North West, with an event in Derry~Londonderry scheduled for 27th October. For ticket information and full programme details, visit techtides.co. TechTides is a flagship conference for tech and innovation on the island of Ireland, now in its second iteration. Founded in 2025 by Alastair Cameron, it brings together leading voices from startups, enterprise and impact-driven technology, exploring the intersection of innovation, entrepreneurship and real-world impact. See more breaking stories here. More about Irish Tech News Irish Tech News are Ireland's No. 1 Online Tech Publication and often Ireland's No.1 Tech Podcast too. You can find hundreds of fantastic previous episodes and subscribe using whatever platform you like via our Anchor.fm page here: https://anchor.fm/irish-tech-news If you'd like to be featured in an upcoming Podcast email us at Simon@IrishTechNews.ie now to discuss. Irish Tech News have a range of services available to help promote your business. Why not drop us a line at Info@IrishTechNews.ie now to find out more about how we can help you reach our audience. You can also find and follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat.

Leading digital bank Monzo has officially launched in Ireland, marking day one of a new way of banking for Irish customers. The launch follows a 100,000 user waitlist and five consecutive weeks as the most downloaded Finance App in Ireland, signalling huge demand for a new way of banking in the Irish market. This marks a major milestone in Monzo's European expansion. Being the first digital bank to secure a full banking licence from the Central Bank of Ireland four months ago, all Monzo accounts are protected up to €100,000 under the Deposit Guarantee Scheme. Michael Carney, EU CEO at Monzo said: "Ireland deserves a better way of banking, and it's clear customers are ready for it. The response to our waitlist shows just how strong that demand is. As our first market in Europe, we're excited to bring a bank that people genuinely love to Ireland, delivering the experience we've built serving millions. Our mission is to make money work for everyone and we're bringing that to Ireland today with free everyday banking and a simpler, smarter way for people and businesses to manage their finances". The cost and complexity of everyday banking With 38% of Irish customers ranking free accounts as one of the most important features they want from their banks, Monzo will offer free personal and business banking for everyone. Monzo also aims to eliminate the financial burden for SME owners too, who currently pay an average of €365 a year in bank fees or charges. Monzo research found that only 19% of Irish customers say they have a high level of trust in Irish banks, and just 25% would recommend their bank to friends or family. Monzo aims to bridge this 'trust gap' in the market with no hidden fees, industry-first fraud features and clear, transparent banking. While it takes time to earn trust, Monzo is customer obsessed and co-creates tools and features by listening to pain points Irish customers experience, finding innovative ways to solve them. Just one example is Monzo's industry-first 'Call Status' feature that lets customers know if they're really speaking to Monzo on the phone. While only 13% of customers say their bank always explains products clearly, 42% feel they need a "translator" to understand banking terms, products and communications. Monzo is here to change that. With no confusing terms and conditions, no jargon and 24/7 customer support, Monzo's mission is to make money work for everyone – no translator required. Saving remains a challenge Research shows that saving continues to be a challenge across the country, with 34% of those who save earning no interest at all. Nationally, Irish households are sitting on approximately €172 billion in bank deposits, earning little or nothing. Monzo customers can access a free instant access savings account, which allows them to start saving from as little as €1 while earning a competitive 1.6% variable interest rate – nearly twelve times the average Irish rate on overnight deposits. The future of Irish banking The Irish market is only moving one way, and that's digital. Bringing a new era of banking, Monzo is solving pain points and listening to what customers want. With 83% saying they want to track everything from spending to saving all in one place, Monzo's single app can do just that. Allowing customers to manage spending, organise their money and view balances in one place. Elaine Deehan, Country Manager for Ireland at Monzo said: "Our research is clear, Irish customers want free everyday banking, money that works harder for them, a partner they can trust, and a bank that speaks their language. Monzo combines the best of banking and technology with industry-first features now available to Irish customers. We're here to truly listen to our community and build the future of banking together". Irish customers can now apply for an account by downloading the Monzo app. See more stories here. More about Irish Tech News Irish Tech News are Ireland's No. 1 Online Tech Publication and o...

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless TD, has announced an investment of €17 million to support nine key infrastructure projects through the Research Ireland Infrastructure Programme. This funding will enable the installation of state-of-the-art equipment and facilities across the country, strengthening Ireland's research capacity in strategically important areas such as advanced materials, MedTech, AI, semiconductors and quantum technologies. The programme is designed to ensure that Irish researchers can access the specialised equipment needed to compete on the global stage. Announcing the investment, Minister Lawless said: "Today's Research Ireland infrastructure announcement further underscores our strong commitment to ensuring Ireland's research community have access to world-class facilities. These nine projects will strengthen national capability in areas vital to Ireland's future, including advanced materials, AI, and MedTech. This investment will equip researchers across the country with the tools they need to remain at the forefront of global innovation and strengthen Ireland's long-term competitiveness." Welcoming the announcement, Dr Diarmuid O'Brien, CEO of Research Ireland, added: "We are enabling researchers across the country to pursue ambitious ideas, deepen collaboration and accelerate breakthrough discoveries by providing access to truly world-class infrastructure. The awards announced today are a key step in delivering on Research Ireland's strategy to strengthen national research capacity, future-proofing our research ecosystem and ensuring Ireland remains a global leader in high-impact research." The nine Research Ireland-funded infrastructure awards are: Advanced Semiconductor Processing and characterIsation facility foR multifunctional thin-film matErials (ASPIRE), Tyndall National Institute, led by Dr. Lynette Keeney. ASPIRE will provide national capability for growing and analysing ultra-thin semiconductor materials with atomic precision, accelerating progress in advanced electronics and emerging technologies. (€4,674,908). Atomic Layer Etch Platform, Dublin City University, led by Prof. Deborah O'Connell. This platform will establish Ireland's first facility for atomic etching with real-time diagnostic monitoring, supporting precision manufacturing for next-generation chips, quantum devices, and sensors. (€2,893,041). Full Spectrum Co-Operative Communications Test Bed Incorporating RF, THz & Optical Transmission, Dublin City University, led by Prof. Liam Barry. This infrastructure will allow researchers to develop and assess high-speed communication systems across radio, terahertz and optical frequencies for data-centre networks, wireless systems, and energy-efficient communications technologies. (€1,664,025). HARD2HISTO: Advanced HARD-Tissue, Biomaterial And Medical Device HISTOlogical Processing and Analysis Platform, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, led by Prof. Oran Kennedy. HARD2HISTO will be a national facility for preparing and analysing hard tissues and complex medical devices, supporting research into musculoskeletal health, dental and joint conditions. (€1,065,588). MeDiNet (Medical Device Innovation Network), University of Galway and RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, led by Dr. Eimear Dolan. MeDiNet will provide shared national facilities for the designing and testing of new medical devices, reducing reliance on animal testing, and strengthening Ireland's MedTech ecosystem. (€1,968,706). NanoStruct-X: Democratising advanced materials characterisation with lab-based synchtrotron-style tools, University College Dublin, led by Prof. Serena Cussen. NanoStruct-X will provide national access to synchrotron-style characterisation tools, expanding national capacity for high-precision analysis of complex materials and supporting breakthroughs across materials science, energy and manufacturing. (€1,361,069). Surfac...

As AI is becoming more common place and innovative, new uses are being found for it. Higher education for example could benefit from the implementation of bespoke AI chatbots. One person who knows all about this is Sean O'Grady, Lead Learning Designer and Deputy AI Futurist at the IDEA Lab, Imperial Business School. The IDEA Lab is developing tailor-made, course-specific AI avatar lecturers that act as digital twins to several of Imperial's teaching professors. A key strength of the avatars is that they can provide students with real-time specialist knowledge, regardless of geographical distance or time zone differences (in the case of online courses. I recently caught up with Sean and he spoke to me about his background, AI, bespoke AI chatbots, and more. More about Sean O'Grady: As Lead Learning Designer in the IDEA Lab, Sean collaborates with faculty, academic and programme management and media to design and evaluate online programmes within the business school, primarily the Global Online MBA (GMBA). Sean explores how technology can be used to create impactful learning experiences while maintaining a pedagogy first approach to my work. See more podcasts here.

In the third exclusive interview of the "Treasury Series" for Irish Tech News, Selva Ozelli Esq, CPA, Author of Sustainably Investing in Digital Assets asks Wojciech Kaszycki, Chief Strategy Officer (CSO) of BTCS SA Europe's first dedicated Digital Asset Treasury Company why he thinks there will be a consolidation of crypto treasury firms and the shift toward institutional grade stablecoin infrastructure and tokenization that is aided by MiCA. By Selva Ozelli Esq., CPA, Author of "Sustainably Investing in Digital Assets Globally" Interview with Wojciech Kaszycki, Chief Strategy Officer (CSO) of BTCS SA (formerly Vakomtek S.A.) is a Polish technology company headquartered in Warsaw recognized as Europe's first dedicated Digital Asset Treasury Company Bitcoin insights with Wojciech Kaszycki Wojciech Kaszycki serves as the Chief Strategy Officer (CSO) for BTCS S.A. a Polish technology company headquartered in Warsaw recognized as Europe's first dedicated Digital Asset Treasury Company (DATCO) which has an "Active Treasury" strategy, using Bitcoin as an anchor asset while generating yield through staking, validator operations, and tokenized Real-World Assets (RWA). In late 2025, the company reported a tenfold increase in market capitalization following its pivot to blockchain infrastructure and has since pursued significant capital raises, including a $100 million Series G round. Wojciech is a serial entrepreneur with over 30 years of background in scaling fintech and digital-asset infrastructure. He is the founder of Mobilum, a regulated digital payment services provider and Bitcoin banking platform (CSE:MBLM) established in 2010. He led the development of a global plug-and-play fiat to crypto exchange platform and scalable on and off ramp solutions used by exchanges, wallets, and DeFi protocols. As an ACAMS Certified Crypto asset Specialist, an active investor and advisor in fintech and medtech, focused on scaling digital economy infrastructure, he has been vocal about the consolidation of crypto treasury firms and the shift toward institutional grade stablecoin infrastructure and tokenization. Tell us about your educational and professional journey leading up to founding Mobilum a regulated crypto payments platform. I started in tech entrepreneurship in Poland in the early 1990s, right as the country was opening up. Over 30 years I built and scaled businesses across payments, fintech, and digital infrastructure. I earned my ACAMS Certified Crypto asset Specialist designation along the way. Mobilum was a natural evolution – combining my payments experience with the emerging crypto ecosystem. You are an early believer and adopter of BTC. How did you become aware of BTC and tell us about Mobilum. I discovered Bitcoin in 2014 and immediately saw the gap there was no easy way for holders to convert back to fiat. So, I set up Mobilum initially as an off-ramp for BTC users. From there it grew into a full plug-and-play fiat-to-crypto platform, serving exchanges, wallets, and DeFi protocols with scalable on- and off-ramp solutions. Tell us about BTCS a crypto treasury company and how you became the CSO of this company. BTCS (formerly Vakomtek) was a NewConnect-listed Polish tech company that we pivoted into Europe's first dedicated Digital Asset Treasury Company. As CSO, I shaped the strategy: Bitcoin as the anchor treasury asset, with yield generation through CoreDAO validator operations, staking, and tokenized RWAs. The market responded – we saw a tenfold increase in market cap following the pivot. For an investor what are the benefits of buying the stock of a crypto treasury company vs investing in shares of a crypto ETF? An ETF gives you passive, index-like exposure. A treasury company gives you active exposure management is working to grow the BTC-per-share ratio through yield strategies, validator income, and strategic capital allocation. You're buying operational upside, not just price tracking. Plus, treasury companies can le...

Faulty goods and services top of list of concerns for Irish consumers in 2025, for fifth year in a row Average of over €6k spent on the product or service consumers contacted the CCPC about 61% of consumers surveyed contacted the trader five or more times while trying to resolve their issue. CCPC consumer helpline report 2025 Faulty goods and services topped the list of concerns for Irish consumers for the fifth consecutive year, according to the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission's (CCPC) 2025 Consumer Helpline Report (attached). The report details key statistics and insights from consumers who contacted the CCPC consumer helpline in 2025, as well as the most-named traders. 42,791 consumers contacted the helpline, mostly by phone, email and webform Consumers spent an average of €6,292 on the product or service that they had an issue with 10,297 consumers were referred to the Small Claims Court for redress The CCPC's free online Money Tools were used 647,483 times There was a significant increase in the number of consumers contacting CCPC about an online purchase, up by 14% since 2024. Issues with home building or improvements were also up – by 12% – since 2024 (2,838 consumers). The biggest call driver was issues with cars, with 5,827 contacts about vehicles. The top traders named by consumers contacting the helpline included Ryanair, Rathwood and Currys. Grainne Griffin, CCPC Director of Communications said: "Last year the CCPC helpline saw an increase in calls about online purchases. When shopping online in Ireland and the rest of the EU, consumers have strong rights, including the right to send goods back, as long as they inform the trader within 14 days. "One fifth of all contacts to our helpline in 2025 related to an issue with faulty goods and services. It's important that consumers know their rights if they buy something that turns out to be faulty. Regardless of whether you had a warranty or a guarantee, it's up to the seller to resolve your issue, you shouldn't have to go back to the manufacturer." Putting your rights to work In October 2025, the CCPC began following up with consumers who contacted the CCPC helpline to find out what happened next. The first check-in with consumers was a minimum of four weeks after they contacted the helpline. At that stage, 96% of consumers had contacted the trader. 43% of respondents had reached a resolution, with 38% of those receiving a refund from the trader. There were still challenges for consumers with 16% reporting that they incurred costs and 61% contacting the trader five or more times while trying to resolve their issue. Home improvement help 2,838 consumers contacted the CCPC helpline about home building or improvements, an increase of 12% since 2024. Consumers reported spending an average of €14,597 on home building or improvements that they later found issues with. In November 2025, the CCPC published an open letter to traders that provide home maintenance, construction and improvement services to remind them of their obligations under consumer protection law. Grainne Griffin said: "Home improvements can be costly for consumers, especially if things go wrong. Check the references of contractors and if you can, physically review previous jobs that they have done. Make sure you get a written quote rather than an estimate and sign a contract. Having those will give you stronger rights in the event of a problem. "Every year, issues with home building and improvements are one of the biggest call drivers to our helpline. That's why we wrote to traders last year with clear guidelines on their responsibilities to consumers. Where traders are not following the law, the CCPC can take enforcement action." Product safety concerns Last year, 1,261 consumers contacted the CCPC with product safety concerns, with one particular report to the CCPC helpline from a concerned parent leading to the recall of 1,564 baby socks due to injury concerns. How to contact us For consu...

Ireland welcomes the announcement of European AI Innovation Month, taking place from Dublin 14 October to Brussels 17 November 2026, a Europe-wide programme of events dedicated to accelerating artificial intelligence innovation and deployment across the European Union. As part of Ireland's Presidency of the Council of the European Union in 2026, Ireland will officially launch the month with the International AI Summit on 14 October 2026 at the RDS Dublin. Under the theme 'Harnessing AI to Revolutionise Europe's Competitiveness' the International AI Summit will focus on Applied AI and sectoral value creation, highlighting Europe's shift from research to applied AI that delivers tangible impact across industries and public services. It will focus on building AI capacity through world-class infrastructure, computing power, sustainable energy, connectivity, and talent, while showcasing transformative opportunities ranging from generative to agentic AI, frontier models, and quantum convergence, all delivered responsibly to maintain public trust. Participants will include EU Commissioners and Ministers, C-suite leaders from major international and European companies and globally recognised AI experts. Sector-focused sessions will examine how AI is transforming key areas of the economy and society, supported by an Innovation spotlight exhibition space demonstrating cutting-edge AI innovation. Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke TD, said, "This AI summit is a unique opportunity to showcase Irish and European leadership in applied AI and demonstrate how innovation can drive competitiveness, create value across our economy and benefit society as a whole. Ireland's vibrant AI ecosystem, world-class talent and strategic infrastructure positions Ireland uniquely to lead these discussions and help shape the future of AI in Europe." Minister of State for Trade Promotion, Artificial Intelligence and Digital Transformation, Niamh Smyth said, "We are now 6 months out from the International AI Summit at the RDS, Ireland is proud to host this flagship event in a venue that has championed innovation for centuries, turning ideas into action. Preparations are fully underway for this key commitment of mine, which will bring together Europe's leading minds in technology, business, and government. By collaborating closely with the European Commission and our industry partners, we are ensuring this AI Summit leaves a lasting impact, establishing Ireland as the go-to hub for the next generation of technology while demonstrating how AI can boost European competitiveness and create tangible value for businesses and citizens." Headline speakers will be announced shortly, with further details on speakers and the full programme to follow. An Expression of Interest will also open in the coming weeks for enterprises interested in participating in the Innovation Spotlight Exhibition. See more stories here. More about Irish Tech News Irish Tech News are Ireland's No. 1 Online Tech Publication and often Ireland's No.1 Tech Podcast too. You can find hundreds of fantastic previous episodes and subscribe using whatever platform you like via our Anchor.fm page here: https://anchor.fm/irish-tech-news If you'd like to be featured in an upcoming Podcast email us at Simon@IrishTechNews.ie now to discuss. Irish Tech News have a range of services available to help promote your business. Why not drop us a line at Info@IrishTechNews.ie now to find out more about how we can help you reach our audience. You can also find and follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat.

Seeds of Bravery Closes with €12M in Grants and 300+ Ukrainian Startups Integrated into the EU While the world's headlines focused on the front lines, a different kind of resistance was being built in the cloud. Today, the Seeds of Bravery (UASEEDs) project concludes its 2,5-year mission, marking a historic win for the European Innovation Council (EIC). Since December 2023, the project has funneled over €12? in direct funding to 318 Ukrainian startups, ensuring that the country's brightest minds didn't just survive the war – they scaled through it. Seeds of Bravery, €12M in Grants From water sanitation systems to AI-driven MedTech, these "Seeds" have grown into a forest of innovation. With 80 documented success stories and thousands of connections made across the continent, the project proves that even under fire, Ukraine's greatest export remains its ingenuity. This isn't just a closing report; it's a blueprint for how a nation stays digitally sovereign during the darkest of times. Project results and achievements The project was created and launched as a response to the request of the Ukrainian startup ecosystem: to develop innovations, scale technologies and products, enter new markets and build a successful business despite difficult circumstances. And now we see the incredible impact of the project – its educational and mentoring programs and grant support – on the community of innovators in Ukraine. Hundreds of startups supported by Seeds of Bravery have already found new partners, signed cooperation agreements with European stakeholders, attracted external investments and moved to higher stages of development. In two years, the project has become a catalyst for growth for hundreds of teams: it helped them go from idea to first customers, from MVP to scaling, opened doors to European markets, partnerships and investments, strengthening the position of Ukrainian startups as full-fledged players in the international innovation ecosystem. Within 7 work packages in partnership with FundingBox, Ukrainian Startup Fund, CyberInnovate, AxisBIC, INNOV8, Institute of Physics, Accelerace, EIT Health, Luxinnovation, YEP Accelerator, Techosystem, Sunrise Tech Park, Da Vinci Labs, Impact Hub Stockholm, Vacuum Deep Tech Acceleration, Plug and Play, Erasmus Centre for Entrepreneurship, Aalto University, the following results were achieved: Financial Support 318 startups were supported with grant funding for a total amount of €12,2M 163 startups applied for EIC – European Innovation Council grant programs, with 2 winners Women TechEU (HYDRATICO, S-Lab) 2 Investor Literacy Programmes with 6 workshops engaging 300+ Business Angels Market Integration 20 Market discovery programmes – 37 ?ountries covered 2870 startups participated in Market Discovery Workshops 23 Market fast-track programmes helped 183 Startups build Go-To-Market Strategies 25 Demo days – 290 startups pitched in 24 countries 308 start-ups participated in 10 industry specific Soft Landing Workshops 2430 European investors and corporations reached – it's a win-win situation: it increases the investment attractiveness of Ukraine and gives the investors an opportunity to gain because Ukrainian Startups are worth investing in. Cross-border scaling 97 pro bono legal advice, consultations & Legal Lab Webinars with 438 attendees Matchmaking activities with corporates, investors, partners, potential customers – 619 265 UASEEDs beneficiaries participated matchmaking service UA Tech Ticket programme USF – 541 UA tech tickets issued UASEEDs Delegation showcasing at major tech events: 34 major tech conferences visited of UA Startups. 61 co-working Spaces in Europe 60 EU investors and accelerators joining UASEEDs 6 online onboarding and matchmaking workshops delivered for startups, each with 35+ participants 580+ investor–startup connections facilitated through Demo Days and matchmaking activities Results of educational programmes 5 Investment Readiness Programmes – 60 Startups complet...

As part of Canon's ongoing commitment to delivering meaningful social value within communities across Ireland, we were proud to bring the Canon Young People Programme (CYPP) to Rosmini Community School, soon to be renamed Grace Park Community School, during the World Unseen Ireland exhibition. Based in the heart of Drumcondra, Rosmini is a co-educational, multi-denominational post-primary school known for its deeply inclusive ethos, as well as its dedicated specialist classes supporting students with visual impairments – making it a particularly powerful setting for an accessibility-driven creative initiative. Led by Canon Ambassador and award-winning visual storyteller Elisa Iannacone, the workshop invited fifteen first-year students to explore hands-on photography and creative storytelling. Using tactile, coral-inspired props designed to engage the senses, students worked with Canon EOS R100 and R50 cameras to capture imagery inspired by UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14: Life Below Water. Young People Programme inspires storytelling in Dublin Rosmini Community School's mission places strong emphasis on nurturing the physical, intellectual, moral, spiritual and aesthetic development of every student within a caring and respectful environment. This inclusive vision, coupled with its Department of Education-approved specialist classes for students with visual impairments, ensures learners can access the mainstream curriculum with tailored support and celebrates the intrinsic value of each individual – making it the perfect fit for Canon's hands-on storytelling workshop. Margaret Keenan, Head of the Art department at Rosmini Community School, said: "At Rosmini, we believe that every young person should have the opportunity to explore creativity in ways that feel accessible and empowering. What made this workshop particularly special was watching our students – especially those with visual impairments, connect with the cameras and lenses through touch. It allowed them to experience photography not just as a visual art form, but as something tactile, intuitive and full of possibility. Collaborations like this highlight the power of inclusive arts education and the importance of giving all students the space to shine." Canon's Coral campaign, which aligns with SDG 14, highlights the fragility of marine ecosystems and the urgent need to protect global biodiversity. As part of the experience, the students had the unique opportunity to visit Canon's World Unseen exhibition at Photo Museum Ireland, where they gained a deeper, sensory-led understanding of the plight of coral and the wider challenges facing our oceans. Building on this insight, the workshop invited them to become part of Canon's most recent exhibition journey – showcasing how the arts and visual storytelling can be made accessible to all. Through guided exploration and hands-on experimentation, the students discovered how photography can spotlight critical issues like ocean health and sustainability, especially when delivered in a way that supports inclusive and creative expression. Elisa Iannacone, Canon Ambassador, said: "Working with the students at Rosmini Community School was deeply inspiring. Their willingness to explore texture, light and storytelling in their own unique ways demonstrates the universal power of creativity. When young people are given accessible tools and an environment that celebrates their individuality, they produce work that is honest, imaginative and full of meaning. Programmes like CYPP don't just teach photography – they nurture confidence, curiosity and a deeper connection to the world around us." Adam Pensotti, Head of Canon Young People Programme at Canon EMEA added: "This session reaffirmed why accessibility, education and social impact remain core pillars of Canon's purpose. Creating opportunities for young people to build confidence, develop new skills and express themselves through visual storytelling is central to the Cano...

Stegawave, an Irish technology company specialising in forensic watermarking for video content, has announced the launch of its anti-piracy platform for live sports streaming. Using a proprietary watermarking algorithm to embed invisible patterns into live streams, Stegawave identifies piracy sources in real time, shutting down illegal redistribution within minutes of detection. The platform integrates with existing streaming workflows and distribution systems, requiring no changes to a content owner's existing infrastructure. Stegawave customers also have the option to push alternative content or messaging to the illegal stream destination. Live sports piracy costs the global broadcasting industry billions annually, with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce estimating the impact on the US economy alone at more than $29 billion per year. Illegal IPTV services, often referred to as 'dodgy boxes', restream content within minutes of broadcast, and legacy content protection technology cannot identify the source of a leak. For smaller and mid-tier organisations, the financial impact is proportionally even greater, as lost subscribers directly threaten the viability of grassroots and regional sports attendance and coverage. The announcement follows a successful deployment with Clubber TV, a leading live sports platform. Sports broadcasters worldwide are facing persistent piracy from illegal IPTV services that directly impact subscription revenue and the financial viability of the coverage itself. Stegawave was deployed across live broadcasts, detecting pirated streams and identifying the specific subscriber accounts responsible. Stegawave achieved a 100% detection rate across all streams, and because many illegal IPTV services share the same source account, blocking a single compromised account simultaneously disabled multiple pirate streams, amplifying the impact of each enforcement action. "Piracy is a massive threat to the sustainability of sports broadcasting at all levels, including grassroots coverage. This technology is potentially game-changing for us to ensure, following significant rights fee investments, that fans are only watching Clubber games on our platform," said Jimmy Doyle, CEO, Clubber. "It's been a pleasure to work alongside Clubber in stopping piracy of their premium matches. The work we have done together has helped us improve the Stegawave product and also resulted in new features. With the increase in illegal streaming not just in Ireland but worldwide, there is real momentum behind tackling this problem, and Stegawave can play a key role in tackling it both here and internationally. We look forward to supporting sports rights holders and broadcasters across the globe in recovering lost revenue and protecting their premium content." said Sean Fahey, CEO, Stegawave. Stegawave is now available for streaming platforms, sports broadcasters and rights holders who are looking to protect their premium content and maximise their Pay-Per-View and Subscription revenues. The Stegawave team will be attending NAB Show in Las Vegas from 18-22 April 2026, showcasing the platform to technology partners, content owners and wider media. See more stories here. More about Irish Tech News Irish Tech News are Ireland's No. 1 Online Tech Publication and often Ireland's No.1 Tech Podcast too. You can find hundreds of fantastic previous episodes and subscribe using whatever platform you like via our Anchor.fm page here: https://anchor.fm/irish-tech-news If you'd like to be featured in an upcoming Podcast email us at Simon@IrishTechNews.ie now to discuss. Irish Tech News have a range of services available to help promote your business. Why not drop us a line at Info@IrishTechNews.ie now to find out more about how we can help you reach our audience. You can also find and follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat.

Cork Airport has announced that it will deliver Ireland's largest solar-powered carport, in conjunction with Greenvolt Next. A solar carport is a dual-purpose structure, where a canopy is being constructed and fitted with a roof of photovoltaic (PV) panels. The solar carport will provide shelter for parked cars in the Holiday Blue car park while also generating up to 20% of the airport's electricity needs into the future. The landmark project, which is expected to be completed in August 2027, has been grant supported by the Department of Transport and Department of Climate, Environment and Energy. Minister Darragh O'Brien TD and Minister of State, Jerry Buttimer TD attended the contract signing by Niall MacCarthy, Managing Director, Cork Airport and John Carty, Chief Commercial Officer, Greenvolt Next. The 1.7 MW carport, which is being constructed over the existing Holiday Blue car park, shall be rolled out in two phases – the first of which will start in early summer, with the second stage to commence in October. Once completed in latesummer 2027, it is envisaged that the 3,696 solar panels and 5 inverters will generate 1.5 GWh of renewable energy each year for the airport As well as delivering renewable energy and lowering CO? emissions at the airport by 355,056 KG based on Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) data, the carport will reduce annual electricity costs and boost operational efficiency by enabling on-site energy generation. In 2025, Cork Airport experienced its busiest year ever for passenger traffic, with a total of 3.46 million passengers. It was also named as Europe's Best Regional Airport by Airports Council International (ACI) Europe, acknowledging its efforts in promoting inbound tourism, adding new routes and its commitment to sustainable business. Cork Airport was also named as the "Best Performing Commercial Semi-State" for energy reduction by SEAI for two years running (2021, 2022). This new solar carport will further strengthen Cork Airport's sustainability credentials and forms a key part of the airport's overall sustainability strategy. The works on the construction of the new solar carport will be swiftly followed by an extension to the existing Holiday Blue Car Park, with 669 more long-term car parking spaces. Of those new spaces, 32 will be dedicated spaces for Persons with Reduced Mobility (PRM). The car park extension will also include new internal roadways, more trolley bays, attenuation and drainage work, along with tasteful landscaping works with a focus on native Irish plant species. Speaking at Cork Airport, Minister for Transport and Minister for Climate, Environment and Energy Darragh O'Brien TD said: "The project was supported with over €2 million in Exchequer funding under the Regional State Airports Sustainability Programme. This programme was developed in 2024 to support regional state airports to reach their carbon emission reduction targets and build resilience against climate change. "Cork Airport was named as the "Best Performing Commercial Semi-State" for energy reduction by Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) for two years running (2021, 2022). This new solar carport will strengthen Cork Airport's sustainability credentials and forms a key part of the airport's overall sustainability strategy. The solar carport will generate up to 20% of the airport's electricity needs into the future." Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Jerry Buttimer TD, added: "Government recognises the important role regional airports play in their areas and in regional development. Cork Airport recorded its busiest year on record in 2025 with 3.46 million passengers choosing to use the airport which plays an important role in connecting the region to global markets, attracting investment and boosting inbound tourism. This targeted support is an indication of the importance Government attaches to regional State airports developing sustainable energy practices." Niall Ma...

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), who operate a global delivery service centre in Ireland, today announced the renewal of its major, multi-year strategic partnership with Marks & Spencer (M&S). This continuing engagement builds on the more than a decade-long trusted partnership between the two organisations and will see TCS continue to serve as M&S's strategic technology partner as the retailer embeds its technology transformation. As part of this continuing partnership, TCS will support M&S as it transforms to become an omnichannel, data-driven retailer supported by globally best-in-class modern technologies. TCS will utilise AI in its transformation approach—supported by its extensive domain expertise and one of the world's largest AI talent pools. This will support future-readiness, provide the right base for long-term growth, and create a superior customer experience. Sacha Berendji, Operations Director, Marks and Spencer, said, "Technology transformation is a key strategic priority for M&S as we invest for growth. Having the right suite of partners, with access to the latest developments in AI and digital expertise, is imperative. I am pleased that we are extending our partnership with TCS, who will work alongside our in-house team as we accelerate our digital transformation." Krishnan Ramanujam, President – Consumer Business Group, Tata Consultancy Services, said: "M&S is a highly cherished and iconic British brand that has always been at the forefront of retail innovation. We are proud of our long-standing partnership and delighted to be chosen to support its enterprise transformation. Our strong contextual knowledge of M&S's business helped lead the digital wave for M&S. As M&S now accelerates its technology transformation, we look forward to bringing our enterprise-scale AI capabilities, deep retail expertise, and engineering leadership to create sustained value, business agility, and a future-ready retail enterprise." More about Irish Tech News Irish Tech News are Ireland's No. 1 Online Tech Publication and often Ireland's No.1 Tech Podcast too. You can find hundreds of fantastic previous episodes and subscribe using whatever platform you like via our Anchor.fm page here: https://anchor.fm/irish-tech-news If you'd like to be featured in an upcoming Podcast email us at Simon@IrishTechNews.ie now to discuss. Irish Tech News have a range of services available to help promote your business. Why not drop us a line at Info@IrishTechNews.ie now to find out more about how we can help you reach our audience. You can also find and follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat.

In this article Phoebe Nieves looks at this new book by Clint Rahe, The Cognitive Athlete. See more about the book here. The Cognitive Athlete: Sustainable Peak Performance for Leaders, Thinkers and Doers, reviewed This book is about helping working professionals achieve and optimise peak emotional and mental performance in a way that is sustainable in the long run. Rahe links elites sports principles and prior experience of being a physical training instructor in the Royal Air Force and then an Adventurous Training Instructor. To create a guide on how you can use mental preparation and physical conditioning to obtain sustainable high performance and ensure success in high performance environments. The book is split into three main parts and at the end of each chapter there is a reflection and action section and key takeaways. This greatly enables immediate application of the skills and information learned, into the readers own life, through self-check questions and 'try this' recommendations. Throughout the book, there are worked examples using these tools and the outcomes that happened because of them. In the final part of the book, Rahe zeroes in on how to live 'The Cognitive Athlete' way and how to create your own personal framework for success with step by step methods such as periodisation. I think the clear key takeaways, with a reflect and action section at the end of each chapter, set the book apart. As it launches immediately into how these methods can be worked and shaped to the individual readers own workplace. There are suggestions and references to different resources to enhance reader application that were helpful in terms of finding further information for further reading. I found the consistent use of diagrams and charts useful in relation to mapping out the key points of the chapter or section. One thing I would say to possibly consider if there were to be a second edition would be to manage the flow of information to ensure readers remain fully engaged throughout. Overall, 'The Cognitive Athlete' presents an innovative way of improving how working professionals approach their work, and it was an easy read to digest his methods and ideas. More about the book Transform how you think. Transform how you perform. Transform your life. In The Cognitive Athlete, high-performance coach Clint Rahe reveals how to amplify your mental game using the same scientific principles that create Olympic champions. This book isn't another productivity hack or mindfulness trend. It's a complete system for building unshakeable focus, bulletproof resilience and sustainable peak performance. Through cutting-edge neuroscience, case studies from top performers and battle-tested strategies, you'll discover how to master the four phases that separate mental athletes from everyone else: conditioning, transition, performance and recovery. These cognitive phases will help you not just survive but thrive amid the relentless demands of modern work. You'll find healthy ways to combat the long hours, constant pressure and sky-high expectations that have become inescapable features of the workplace. Discover how to: Build the cognitive foundation you need for future success Navigate pressure and setbacks with the composure of an elite athlete Execute at your highest level when it matters most Sustain excellence without burning out Stop taking your mental performance for granted. Whether you're leading a team, building a company or pursuing ambitious goals, The Cognitive Athlete is your playbook for winning the game that matters most: the mental one. More about the author Clint Rahe is a facilitator, consultant, and high-performance coach who transforms how leaders think, work, and recover, bringing the principles of elite sport and military precision to the modern workplace. See more reviews here. More about Irish Tech News Irish Tech News are Ireland's No. 1 Online Tech Publication and often Ireland's No.1 Tech Podcast too. You can find hund...

OxygenCare, a leading provider of life-saving medical equipment and solutions, has announced the launch of its new online shop and rental platform. In addition to other medical devices, the platform will provide exclusive access on the island of Ireland to Medela Symphony hospital-grade breast pumps, enabling parents and healthcare providers to rent or buy them. By improving access to the Medela Symphony breast pump, OxygenCare is well-positioned to better meet the high demand for breast pumps from parents across Ireland. The HSE reports that there has been an 18.6% increase in the percentage of babies breastfed at the 3 months developmental check-up since 2015. Breast feeding provides unparalleled health benefits for both baby and mother. From powerful immune system support and perfect nutrition aiding easy digestion for baby to fast post-partum recovery for mum. Breast pumps act as a supportive tool that empowers mothers to continue providing those benefits while navigating the demands of modern life, managing health challenges, and sharing the joy of feeding their baby with others. The Symphony breast pump supports mothers with: 2-Phase Expression Technology, which imitates a baby's natural sucking action Initiation Technology, which imitates a newborn's sucking pattern in the first few days after birth and can increase milk supply by 50% Pre-set programmes that are easy to use An anatomical oval breast shield with 105? angle, resulting in more milk while experiencing more comfort. Symphony stands as the most rigorously studied hospital-grade breast pump currently available. Its clinical efficacy is supported by a robust body of peer-reviewed research, including 8 randomised controlled trials (RCTs), 1 non-randomised controlled trial (NRCT), and 2 cohort studies. As the exclusive and sole distributor for the Medela Symphony breast pump, OxygenCare has developed a rental programme within its online shop which allows new parents to set up a rolling or once-off agreement. Individuals can then collect the breast pump from the OxygenCare office or a designated pharmacy*. Alternatively, it can be delivered to a location of their choice. Linda Ryan Head of Sales OxygenCare said: "When you have a baby, there is so much to think about and not everyone's birthing and feeding experience is the same. Whatever the circumstances, our aim is to make it more convenient for those who want to use breast pumps to access these vital devices." Maurice Moran Managing Director OxygenCare added: "As with everything we do at OxygenCare, the rollout of our online shop and these products is all about providing more choice, reliability and value for both healthcare providers and patients. In turn, we hope to improve support and enhance experiences." In addition to Medela Symphony® breast pumps, the OxygenCare online store also facilitates the purchase of AED defibrillators and accessories, as well as the TempoTherm Thermometer. The medical device webstore will continue to expand its offering over the coming months to include other product offerings. You can access the OxygenCare medical device web shop at www.shop.oxygen-care.com. See more stories here.

Guest post by Colm Hyland CyberQuest Captain Jack Boyle in O'Casey's 'Juno and the Paycock' would proclaim and use the 'chassis', as his excuse to do nothing. What's the point after all, an individual can do nothing to stop the madness. When it comes to Cybersecurity, it's not acceptable to do nothing. Cybersecurity has become a priority, one that touches our economy, our democracy, our families and our future. As we welcome the recent improvements in Defence and Maritime Strategy and anticipate the rework of the National Cyber Strategy; there is a critical dimension we cannot afford to overlook: the role of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the economy. EU Regulations are spelling out the need for greater accountability for public and private sectors. SMEs are our largest employer and greatest source of innovation, many are part of the Multinationals' Supply Chain; from start-ups to businesses with 250 people, their security is essential. They require professional improvements. Cyber professionals whether full-time, part-time or contracted must be accredited. The interventions they provide; education, software or professional services need to be standards based and open to adaptation. We have the standards and regulations that guide the sector, we need to ensure that people and services meet the basic requirements and are continuously improving. Attack surfaces become more complicated and difficult to defeat, we need our people on high alert. This can only be achieved by training and retraining. Our Engineering and Manufacturing Sectors have done this before: pursuing excellence through Continuous Improvement tools and driving towards internationally accredited Quality Systems. We have the improvement methodology. We must use this to strengthen SMEs to consolidate the future of Ireland from both an economic and technological point of view. In parallel, having North and South working closer on Cyber security is both essential and a huge bonus. We are not starting from scratch, we have many initiatives and programmes in play. We need a collaborative and harmonious ecosystem to raise digital and cybersecurity standards. The ecosystem can include those currently involved such as, multinational companies but change the emphasis to private and public, indigenous organisations. Academic and training organisations are here to service the needs of all of our Citizens: students, apprentices, trainees, employed, underemployed and unemployed. We need more Trainers, Women and Neurodiverse people in cyber security. Collaboration must be at the heart of this system; communication is the circulation. Participants in this process need to be conscious that the work to be done is for the greater good of Citizens, the Country and its ambitions. The current components are the following, others will materialise: Cybersecurity Awareness – for all; in every SME, parish, club and charity. Cyber Skills – defined by the latest version of cyber frameworks. Training – that complements the college offering and is fast tracked, dynamic, developmental and leads to career progression Supporting local businesses – meeting the needs of SMEs and supporting indigenous software and service companies. Job creation – building on all of the interconnected components to create jobs for unemployed, career changers and those who would like to move into a career in cyber from their current employment. Collaboration is at the heart of improvement and minimises the chaos but limiting this to academics and multinational people minimises the quality of the debate and the outputs. SMEs are critical strategically and economically; their inclusion is not just necessary but compulsory. This Vision of creating one single initiative where everything moves in cooperation within the ecosystem provides value for money. Public money must be spent in a structured manner. It reduces isolated groups being funded without having a clearly aligned strategy. The ultimate objec...

Esri Ireland, the market leader in Geographic Information Systems (GIS), is announcing that its inaugural user conference will take place at The Round Room at Dublin's Mansion House on Wednesday, 29th April 2026. Themed Building a Stronger Future, the conference will showcase how location intelligence can enable smarter decision-making across our island's critical infrastructure sector. It will be opened with an address from Minister of State for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, Frank Feighan TD. On the day, attendees will have a chance to hear from Esri Ireland customers on how they are using geospatial technology to transform their operations. ESB will explore how GIS is supporting the organisation's critical role in Ireland's Climate Action Plan and aims to reach net zero emissions by 2040, while Dublin Airport will examine how location intelligence is enabling large-scale infrastructure investments to take off – catering for its future growth and expansion. Attendees will hear how broadband provider Fibrus is using geospatial technologies to roll out next-generation fibre networks, and Northern Ireland Water will demonstrate evidence-led approaches to reducing demand on wastewater infrastructure. A panel of industry experts, hosted by Gordon Smith, will debate the challenges and opportunities of infrastructure development, while Esri Ireland's own experts will share new insights across a range of topics including artificial intelligence, field operations, GeoBIM, and Digital Twins. The free-to-attend event will bring together GIS professionals, industry leaders, and key stakeholders, with up to 500 people expected to attend. For more information and to register, click here. See more stories here.

Mapped: The World's Data Centers by Country (2026) By Selva Ozelli Esq, CPA, Author of Sustainably Investing in Digital Assets Globally This is the first article in a series of articles I am writing for Irish Tech News to explore the financial, technical, legal aspects of utilizing space solar energized orbital data centers that are rapidly evolving into "AI Factories, designed specifically to convert massive amounts of electrical power into intelligence, measured in tokens" around the world. My new series is a follow up to an interview ITN conducted with me in 2020 exploring how space solar energy could sustainably energize the tokenization of the global financial markets which is projected to grow to multi-trillion dollars by the end of the decade. The growth of Sustainable Orbital Data Center Infrastructure Only five years after this interview, on December 10, 2025 PowerBank Corporation (Canada) launched the inaugural DeStarlink Genesis-1 satellite , marking Orbit AI's (Singapore) first step toward building its Orbital Cloud network — an architecture where AI compute, connectivity, and blockchain-verified processing occur directly in low-Earth satellites, powered by space solar energy. Such decentralized space infrastructure combining AI computing, global connectivity, and blockchain verification are likely to [gradually] take over functions of hyperscale earthbound data centers going forward. About Hyperscale Data Centers The United States is the leader in data center hosting, commanding over 40% of the world's facilities [over 5,000 facilities as of 2026], driven by a head start by US tech giants such as such as Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, Oracle and Google Cloud, which made high-volume investment in AI. At the start of this year, President Donald Trump issued an Executive Order Removing Barriers to American Leadership in Artificial Intelligence, which advances his America's AI Action Plan. This was followed by the U.S. Department of Energy launching the Genesis Mission, a historic national effort that will use the power of artificial intelligence to accelerate discovery science, strengthen national security, and drive energy innovation. These policies have prompted several US based hyperscale data center companies to explore the integration of orbital solar energy for energy-intensive blockchain and AI verification processes. Hyperscale cloud providers are massive-scale data center service providers that operate extensive, globally dispersed data centers to deliver on-demand computing resources. These providers are characterized by their ability to scale horizontally and vertically to support millions of virtual machines and vast workloads by integrating edge cloud technology, to extend their services to smaller, distributed micro-data centers and network points closer to users for lower latency, better performance in remote areas. Hyperscale cloud providers store data for AI and use tokenization in two key ways: for AI model processing and for data security/compliance. They are the physical infrastructure that makes data center operations possible. However, hyperscale data centers are experiencing a massive surge in power and water demand driven by the proliferation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and high-performance computing (HPC). These facilities, often requiring 100+ megawatts (MW) and sometimes up to 1 gigawatt (GW) for "AI factories," are redefining data centers as critical infrastructure that require consistent, 24/7 power. Therefore, US hyperscale cloud providers are exploring the concept of placing solar collection and data centers in orbit to leverage 24/7 constant solar energy and alleviate terrestrial power grid strain. The physical targeting of US based commercial data centers in the Persian Gulf during the U.S.-Iran conflict in March 2026 marked a historic first and a shift in warfare, where digital infrastructure was directly attacked and damaged. Following these events, the urgency f...

Longford County Council has launched MyCoCo, a new secure online payments platform that allows Local Authority housing tenants to pay rent online, providing a faster and more convenient way to access payment services. The MyCoCo platform enables Local Authority housing tenants to make payments at a time and place that suits them and supports greater access to digital council services across the county. This is an additional method for Local Authority housing tenants to make rental payments. Tenants continue to have the facility to make payments through the household budget, by standing order, by telephone, to the Rent Collector or in person at the Cash Desk. The online service has been carefully developed and tested in collaboration with Council staff across Housing, Finance and Information Systems, with strong governance and data protection measures in place. Cathaoirleach of Longford County Council, Cllr Garry Murtagh said, "The launch of the MyCoCo online payments system is another positive step in making local authority services more accessible for the people of Longford. By offering a secure and convenient way to pay housing rents online, the Council is responding to how people want to interact with services today, while continuing to support those who prefer traditional payment methods." Chief Executive of Longford County Council, Paddy Mahon, said, "MyCoCo is about improving the customer experience while ensuring strong financial controls and data protection standards. This platform provides a modern, secure and reliable way for Local Authority housing tenants to pay rent online and supports a more efficient service delivery across the organisation." The introduction of MyCoCo forms part of Longford County Council's ongoing programme to digitise services, increase digital inclusion and provide greater choice in how customers engage with the Council. While the platform is currently being rolled out to Local Authority housing tenants, it is planned to extend MyCoCo to other customer groups, including rate payers, in the future. Customers will continue to be supported through a phased rollout of the platform, with clear guidance and assistance available to those using the service for the first time. For more information on how to pay online through MyCoCo, visit www.longfordcoco.ie or contact Longford County Council. See more stories here.

In Ireland, a pint of Guinness is never just a drink. It's a ritual, a point of pride, and depending on who you ask a finely judged experience shaped by everything from the pour to the atmosphere of the pub itself. Now, that long-standing cultural obsession has found a new home in the digital world. Enter Stout n About, a Guinness rating app created by an unlikely team: two boxers Belfast's Tyrone 'The Mighty Celt" McKenna, Derry's Tyrone "White Chocolate" McCullagh and their friend Ciaran "The coder" MacManus, three Irish Musakteers… united by a shared appreciation for what makes a truly great pint of the good stuff. Their idea taps into something deeply familiar and woven into Irish culture across Ireland and worldwide in our diaspora, the ongoing debate over where to find the best Guinness and they've turned that into a social, data driven platform. At its core, the app allows users to rate pints in pubs across the country, scoring them based on quality and overall experience. While that might sound simple, it touches on a surprisingly complex and passionate subculture. Among stout drinkers, details matter: the cleanliness of the lines, the precision of the pour, the settling time, and even the glass itself all play a role in determining whether a pint is average or exceptional. What Stout n About does is take those traditionally subjective pub conversations and digitise them. Instead of word of mouth recommendations, users can now explore ratings, compare venues, and build a shared picture of where the best pints are being served. From a tech perspective, the app sits neatly within a broader wave of platforms that turn everyday experiences into trackable, shareable data. Much like fitness apps quantify exercise or review platforms rank restaurants, Stout n About applies that same logic to one of Ireland's most iconic cultural staples. It's a clear example of how what appears to be niche communities can be brought together through simple but well-targeted digital tools, that scale well beyond expectations. But what makes this project particularly interesting is the background of its founders. Coming mainly from the world of boxing rather than software, they represent a growing trend in tech entrepreneurship: domain passion driving innovation. They didn't set out to disrupt an industry, they set out to solve a problem they genuinely cared about, and in doing so, built something that resonates with a much wider audience. There's also a strong social element at play. Irish pub culture has always been about connection. friends gathering, stories being shared, strangers becoming acquaintances over a pint and of course elite level (or not) craic. Rather than replacing that experience, the app extends it. Users can engage with others, compare ratings, and even discover new pubs they might never have visited otherwise. From a product standpoint, this blend of cultural authenticity and social functionality is key. Apps succeed when they feel natural to use, and in this case, rating a pint is simply a digital extension of something people are already doing in real life. Looking ahead, there's clear potential for growth. Features such as location-based recommendations, leaderboards, or even partnerships with pubs will deepen user engagement and I personally can think of multiple ways that can be built upon. There's also scope to expand internationally, particularly in cities with strong Irish communities where Guinness culture remains a point of connection. Ultimately, Stout n About highlights an important lesson for the Irish tech ecosystem: innovation doesn't always come from complex solutions or cutting-edge technologies. Sometimes, it's about recognising the value in everyday experiences and finding a way to enhance them through digital tools. By blending tradition with technology, this app captures something uniquely Irish and makes it shareable, measurable, and scalable in a way that feels both modern and authentic. As a prou...

New research from leading cloud-native software artifact management platform Cloudsmith finds that, despite 93% of respondents' organizations using AI-generated code, 31% spend 10 hours or less per month validating, auditing, or securing it – including 5% who do not explicitly audit AI code at all. This, and other findings, released today in the Cloudsmith 2026 Artifact Management Report, highlight gaps in how organisations are managing risk across the modern software supply chain. A rise in software supply chain vulnerabilities The risks posed by weak software supply chain security have become increasingly clear in the past 12 months. With threat campaigns including Shai Hulud 2.0 and SANDWORM_MODE specifically targeting the software supply chain via upstream repositories, 44% of respondents have experienced a security incident caused by a third-party dependency. In the same time period, 44% of respondents reported their organisation spent over 50 hours per month investigating potential security issues linked to third-party dependencies, whether or not they resulted in a breach. Confidence in AI-generated code Confidence in AI-generated code is also lacking. 58% of respondents spend at least 11 hours per month validating and securing AI-generated code — rising to over 40 hours for 8% of respondents — as teams work to catch hidden dependencies and potential vulnerabilities. In fact, only 17% are very confident that AI is not introducing new vulnerabilities into their codebase. These concerns are well-founded, as AI is known to introduce risks in software development by generating insecure or incorrect code, including "slopsquatting" – where models hallucinate non-existent package names that attackers can then register and exploit – embedding hidden vulnerabilities that can compromise systems. Regulation on the horizon In addition to growing exploitation of third-party dependencies and concerns about the adoption of AI, there are a wider range of issues putting pressure on the software supply chain. With the arrival of new legislation like the EU's Cyber Resilience Act, companies have an incredibly tight deadline to respond to cyber attacks. This involves the obligation to provide a detailed assessment 48 hours after becoming aware of a breach. To do so, organisations will need to provide provenance data with little to no notice. Despite this, however, Cloudsmith's research shows that, if they were hit with a surprise audit tomorrow, 53% of respondents could only produce a comprehensive report of artifact versions, origins, and security attestations with a significant amount of manual effort or time. This is a particularly significant gap, given the number of organisations that are committing AI-generated code to production without understanding exactly how it functions, or why it was created. An inflection point for the software supply chain "We are at a huge inflection point in the history of software development," says Glenn Weinstein, CEO of Cloudsmith. "In a matter of months, we've gone from, 'How can AI help me write better code?' to, 'How can I help AI write better code?' But at the same time, AI tools are expanding the attack surface, introducing more open source dependencies. And those same tools are being used by malicious actors to find more vulnerabilities in existing libraries, leading to more CVEs." He continues: "Agentic development is an incredibly powerful way to build software, and teams will be far more productive and write even more software as a result. That is a good thing, because the world certainly needs more software and more automation! For enterprises to manage this new velocity and productivity, automated guardrails and context are the new keys to unlock the production of safer, more efficient code." In addition to these findings, the Cloudsmith 2026 Artifact Management Report also reveals respondents' plans for the future. The top three challenges respondents expect to face this year are: Ensuri...

Dublin-based SaaS company Apex B2B has officially launched following an investment of €1.5 million, including R&D support from Enterprise Ireland. The company has developed a purpose-built, AI-enabled commerce platform designed specifically for mid-market wholesalers, distributors and manufacturers, a segment often underserved by both lightweight retail platforms and complex enterprise systems. Apex B2B was incubated within Monsoon Consulting, a Dublin-headquartered digital commerce agency, and formally spun out following a successful soft launch in December 2025. To support its growth, Apex B2B plans to hire 15 employees across product engineering, AI, customer success, go-to-market and operations. The company is targeting mid-market businesses with annual revenues between €10 million and €300 million and plans to expand into UK, European and US markets over the next five years. The company is positioned as part of Ireland's growing SaaS ecosystem, with a strong focus on export-led international growth. The launch comes amid growing demand for modernisation in B2B commerce. Industry research indicates that almost 65% of B2B executives report B2B online commerce is "broken" due to poor data, inefficient processes, and an inability to meet B2C-like convenience standards. While consumer-first tools lack the depth required for B2B workflows, enterprise platforms often introduce excessive cost, long implementation timelines and significant technical overhead. At the same time, enterprise adoption of AI is accelerating, with more organisations moving from experimentation to production use cases. Apex B2B's platform is designed to address these challenges by combining pre-built architecture with AI-driven capabilities, enabling businesses to manage complex pricing, ordering and customer workflows at scale. Bharat Sharma, Founder and CEO of Apex B2B, said: "Apex B2B is built on years of hands-on experience working with B2B organisations navigating complex commerce challenges. What we've consistently seen is a structural gap in the market, businesses that are too advanced for basic tools, but underserved by enterprise platforms. This is not just a technology problem; it is an infrastructure gap in how B2B trade operates digitally. Apex B2B has been designed to address that by combining proven B2B workflows with modern cloud and AI capabilities, enabling businesses to scale more efficiently." The Apex B2B platform has been developed based on over a decade of delivery experience within Monsoon Consulting, where recurring technical and operational challenges across client projects helped shape the platform's architecture and capabilities. See more stories here. More about Irish Tech News Irish Tech News are Ireland's No. 1 Online Tech Publication and often Ireland's No.1 Tech Podcast too. You can find hundreds of fantastic previous episodes and subscribe using whatever platform you like via our Anchor.fm page here: https://anchor.fm/irish-tech-news If you'd like to be featured in an upcoming Podcast email us at Simon@IrishTechNews.ie now to discuss. Irish Tech News have a range of services available to help promote your business. Why not drop us a line at Info@IrishTechNews.ie now to find out more about how we can help you reach our audience. You can also find and follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat.

TU Dublin Innovation has announced a major surge in commercially focused research activity valued at approximately €3 million, securing five Enterprise Ireland Commercialisation Fund (CF) awards in 2025, significantly exceeding its annual target of three. The achievement marks a dramatic increase from 2024, when TU Dublin secured just one CF award, and signals a strong return to the university's baseline performance over the past two years. This milestone reflects a substantial investment of time, expertise and collaboration across TU Dublin's Innovation Office, case managers and research community. It also positions the university strongly for further growth in 2026, with a healthy pipeline already underway. One Proof of Concept (PoC) application has already been submitted, a second is in development, and additional opportunities are actively being explored. The five Enterprise Ireland awards include two full Commercialisation Fund projects and three Proof of Concept awards. As seen in 2024, both full CF projects secured significant funding, reinforcing TU Dublin's focus on high-value, high-impact research with strong commercial potential. The SIMIR project, awarded €721,533 and led by Dr Brian Vaughan at TU Dublin in collaboration with the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, is developing an immersive digital simulation platform designed to prepare medical trainees for real clinical environments. The platform combines clinical decision-making with essential soft skills, including communication, teamwork and situational awareness. Led by Dr Steven Davy at TU Dublin, the LiteStream project, awarded €653,472, is creating a next-generation telemedicine solution that uses AI-driven visual analysis and advanced video compression to help clinicians identify key patient cues during remote consultations, even in low-bandwidth environments. Anastasia Negru, Commercialisation Lead, LiteStream, commented that: 'We're tackling a €432 billion market with technology that solves three critical problems: doctors missing visual cues in remote consultations, bandwidth barriers in rural areas, and overwhelming documentation burden. The Enterprise Ireland Commercialisation Fund gives us the resources to conduct trials with clinical partners across Ireland, Sweden, Spain, the US and beyond and prove that Irish innovation can lead the global healthcare AI revolution.' In addition to its Enterprise Ireland success, TU Dublin has also secured four ARC Hub for ICT Proof of Concept awards, bringing the total number of new commercialisation-focused projects funded in 2025 to nine. Dr Paul Maguire, Head of Innovation and Knowledge Transfer at TU Dublin, commented: 'These awards mark a pivotal moment for TU Dublin Innovation, reflecting the determination and expertise of our researchers and innovation office team. We are building momentum at a remarkable pace, and the strength of our 2026 pipeline shows that this is only the beginning. Our university is firmly positioning itself as a leader in translating high impact research into real world commercial and societal value.' These achievements underline TU Dublin's growing reputation as a leader in research translation, innovation and industry engagement, with a clear focus on turning breakthrough ideas into real-world solutions that deliver commercial and societal impact. TU Dublin Innovation is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union through the ERDF Southern, Eastern & Midland Regional Programme 2021-27. See more stories here. More about Irish Tech News Irish Tech News are Ireland's No. 1 Online Tech Publication and often Ireland's No.1 Tech Podcast too. You can find hundreds of fantastic previous episodes and subscribe using whatever platform you like via our Anchor.fm page here: https://anchor.fm/irish-tech-news If you'd like to be featured in an upcoming Podcast email us at Simon@IrishTechNews.ie now to discuss. Irish Tech News have a range of services available to help pro...

New rules introduced by the Central Bank should make it easier for customers to deal with insurance claims and in turn, help consumers reach fairer insurance settlements. In addition, the new rules around insurance quotes will make it easier for customers to understand how certain actions, such as accumulating penalty points – or paying insurance premiums monthly rather than upfront – could make their insurance premiums more expensive. This is according to the insurance broker Gallagher, which is advising consumers to get up to speed on the new rules being introduced under the Central Bank's revised Consumer Protection Code (CPC), which came into force on March 24, 2026. The ultimate aim of the new code, which covers a wide range of areas, is to protect consumers of financial products today and in the future. Ban on insurance auto-renewals Gallagher is also drawing the attention of consumers to a major change in the new rules, whereby there is now a ban on the auto-renewal of travel insurance, gadget insurance, dental insurance and pet insurance policies. Geraldine Kelly, head of personal lines with Gallagher, explained: "The Central Bank's new Consumer Protection Code (CPC) includes a number of new rules which will put insurance customers on a better footing. The ban on the auto-renewal of travel, gadget, dental and pet insurance is a positive development as it reduces the risk of consumers paying for products that they no longer need or that aren't suitable for them. This ban also reduces the risk of consumers missing out on opportunities to shop around to find the most suitable or cost-effective product. However, it's important that holders of travel, gadget, dental and pet insurance policies, which are due to expire in the coming months, get up to speed on the steps they need to take if they wish their policies to be renewed. In particular, those who wish to renew their policies will need to engage with their insurer or broker prior to the expiry date to ensure their policy is renewed on time." More transparent claims process The revised CPC also has a series of new rules which aim to enhance the transparency of the process for those making insurance claims – and to improve the experience of customers in this regard. Commenting on this aspect of the new rules, Ms Kelly said: "It can be daunting for consumers to make insurance claims, particularly if they have just been in a car accident or have experienced trauma. In addition, consumers whose homes have been badly damaged by a storm, flood, fire or other event could be under a lot of emotional pressure and stress, and so need the claims process to be as straightforward as possible. So, the new rules around the transparency of insurance claims are welcome as they should make it easier for customers making insurance claims to consider, engage and respond to settlement offers – or the decline of a claim." 10 ways the new Consumer Protection Code will help insurance customers In the wake of the new CPC rules kicking in, Gallagher has put together 10 must-knows on how the new requirements will impact insurance customers: 1. Auto-renewal of travel, gadget, dental or pet insurance is now banned Under the new CPC, consumers will no longer have their policies for travel insurance, gadget insurance, dental insurance or pet insurance automatically renewed unless they have provided their explicit consent for the automatic renewal in advance. 2. No ban on automatic renewals of health, home or car insurance The new opt-in rules around automatic renewals will not apply to all types of insurance products, such as health insurance, home insurance or car insurance as for these particular products, consumers could be at a substantial disadvantage if they didn't renew their policy in time and their policies lapsed as a result. 3. Insurers must give 20 days' notice if car or home insurance is to expire Where a home or car insurance policy is due to expire or be renewed, the insurer must pro...

Pictured attending the Tech Rally at the Dell Technologies Innovate event at Royal Hospital Kilmainham recently were Mark Hopkins, Managing Director, Dell Technologies Ireland, and Alex Rice, Field Product Manager at Dell Technologies Ireland, alongside over 100 technology leaders, industry experts and IT decision-makers who explored how organisations across Ireland are preparing for the next phase of AI-driven transformation. The event also featured Dell's 'Tech Rally Anywhere' showcase, bringing a hands-on experience of the latest devices and technologies shaping the future of work in Ireland. The showcase provided IT leaders with the opportunity to experience Dell's latest AI PCs and latest devices and how they can empower employees in the workplace. With AI continuing to move from concept to practical deployment, discussions throughout the day centred on the importance of building strong digital foundations from modern devices to resilient, secure and scalable infrastructure. Attendees explored how modern devices and emerging technologies are evolving new ways of working. A dedicated showcase area gave the audience the opportunity to experience the latest generation of Dell devices and workplace solutions first-hand, including newly launched AI PCs. The interactive setup demonstrated how advancements in device performance, collaboration tools and connectivity are enabling more flexible and productive ways of working across today's hybrid work environment. With technology decisions now more closely tied to business performance than ever before. Irish organisations are increasingly focused on how they can future-proof their operations, embrace AI responsibly and unlock new opportunities for growth in an increasingly complex digital economy. Speaking at the event, Mark Hopkins, Managing Director at Dell Technologies Ireland, said, "AI is rapidly becoming a key driver of innovation and competitive advantage for organisations across Ireland. As businesses move from experimentation to real-world deployment, the focus is on building the right foundations, from modern devices at the edge to secure, scalable infrastructure, to fully realise its potential. "At Dell Technologies Ireland, we are supporting customers to turn AI ambition into tangible outcomes, helping them innovate faster, operate more efficiently and move forward with confidence in an increasingly data-driven world." More about Irish Tech News Irish Tech News are Ireland's No. 1 Online Tech Publication and often Ireland's No.1 Tech Podcast too. You can find hundreds of fantastic previous episodes and subscribe using whatever platform you like via our Anchor.fm page here: https://anchor.fm/irish-tech-news If you'd like to be featured in an upcoming Podcast email us at Simon@IrishTechNews.ie now to discuss. Irish Tech News have a range of services available to help promote your business. Why not drop us a line at Info@IrishTechNews.ie now to find out more about how we can help you reach our audience. You can also find and follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat.

My article this week is about the Trinity Business School's 100-year celebration and the TEDx event they hosted, entitled "Change 101". What were my observations about the TEDx event? Trinity Business School spared no expense in supporting the TEDx event. The TBS team appointed to lead the project did so with gusto. Their task was to ensure that the event went off without a hitch, and it did. My main point of contact was Maria L Gallo, a Canadian with Italian blood, whose energy and ambition for the project was infectious. Maria's selection of speakers was well researched. Those chosen included academics and students who understood the opportunities TEDx talks could offer for personal growth and career development. Let me tell you a little about some of the speakers I got to know and support. Over a short period, they created some of the most engaging and entertaining talks I have had the pleasure of hearing in quite some time. What were the key takeaways from coaching the TEDx speakers? Brendan Kennelly, Poet, Author and Professor of English at Trinity, said that to be a good teacher, you must do two things: "give your audience confidence to ask questions and have fun". It's something I think about and focus on every time I am in front of a group of people. With this group of TEDx wannabes, it was easy. A more enthusiastic group I have rarely come across. So, where does my coaching start? I always start by listening to the speaker's ideas that they wish to share with an audience. This group had the most engaging and wide-ranging topics, from Exomoons to Loneliness in the age of AI. In between were talks on Jealousy, Resilience, Social Media, Culture, not to forget How to Succeed as a Racing Driver, or the Determination Required to Represent Ireland on the Rugby Field. Do I know about all these topics? Of course not. The speakers are the experts. My job is to take their knowledge and skills and help them craft a story that excites education and entertains a general audience. I provide a conversation structure that works for their topic while rearranging the story to ensure the following: You get attention / create interest / provide information / demonstrate your expertise on your topic. While concluding by reminding your audience of how taking your advice could benefit them or someone they care about. All the talks will be hosted on TED in the next month or so. I would strongly advise you to seek them out; you will benefit from doing so. There is a taster video available on my LinkedIn profile. By Executive Coach Andrew Keogh of Aristo.ie More about Irish Tech News Irish Tech News are Ireland's No. 1 Online Tech Publication and often Ireland's No.1 Tech Podcast too. You can find hundreds of fantastic previous episodes and subscribe using whatever platform you like via our Anchor.fm page here: https://anchor.fm/irish-tech-news If you'd like to be featured in an upcoming Podcast email us at Simon@IrishTechNews.ie now to discuss. Irish Tech News have a range of services available to help promote your business. Why not drop us a line at Info@IrishTechNews.ie now to find out more about how we can help you reach our audience. You can also find and follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat.

Despite ongoing global economic pressures and geopolitical uncertainty, start-ups grew by 14% in Quarter One of 2026, with a total of 7,263 start-ups registered in the first three months of the year. This sustained growth in start-up activity highlights the continued resilience of Irish entrepreneurs, even in the face of inflationary pressures, elevated interest rates, and global economic uncertainty. Key Sectoral Growth Key sectors driving this growth include construction (+908, +31.98%), community and personal services (+644, +23.14%), financial services (+881, +6.53%), and manufacturing (+183, +46.40%). In volume terms, professional services (legal, accounting and business) saw the highest number of start-ups, totalling 1,327 in Q1 2026, although this represents a 1.3% decrease on Q1 2025. Regional growth remains strong Dublin continues to lead in overall volume of new business registrations, accounting for 2,096 start-ups in Q1 2026, and recording year-on-year growth of approximately 17.69%. Regional hubs demonstrating strong performance include Cork with 736 start-ups (+16.64%), Limerick with 262 (+18.02%), and Galway with 311 (+11.07%). Elsewhere, Kildare recorded 337 start-ups (+38.68%), Meath 280 (+6.87%), and Wicklow 197 (+24.68%). These figures indicate that while Dublin remains the primary hub for business formation, strong growth is also evident across key regional and commuter-belt counties. January was the busiest month for new company start-ups in the quarter, continuing the trend seen in previous years of a strong start to the calendar year. Commercial Judgements The legal and credit landscape also showed signs of shifting dynamics in Q1. Commercial judgments experienced a significant decline, falling 11 % in volume and a substantial 44 % in total value terms, suggesting a decrease in high-value legal debt recoveries. Parallel to this, the influx of new leadership saw a slight cooling; the number of first-time directors fell by approximately 8%, dropping from 8,880 in 2025 to 8,128 in 2026. This suggests that while established sectors continue to expand, the entry of new individual stakeholders into the directorial market has been less buoyant. Commenting on the Q1 figures, Christine Cullen, Managing Director of CRIFVision-Net, said: "The strong growth in new business registrations in the first quarter of 2026 reflects continued confidence in the Irish economy and highlights the resilience and ambition of Irish entrepreneurs. "However, the economic landscape remains complex. While the significant double-digit decrease in the volume and value of commercial judgments suggests a cooling in high-value debt recoveries, the eight per cent dip in first-time directors indicates a slightly more cautious approach from new individuals entering the market. When coupled with the increase in insolvencies, it is clear that many businesses are still navigating significant financial strain. "Despite challenges, the continued strength in start-up activity across sectors and regions suggests that the Irish business community remains dynamic and forward-looking. This balance between opportunity and pressure will be a defining feature of the economic landscape in the months ahead." More about Irish Tech News Irish Tech News are Ireland's No. 1 Online Tech Publication and often Ireland's No.1 Tech Podcast too. You can find hundreds of fantastic previous episodes and subscribe using whatever platform you like via our Anchor.fm page here: https://anchor.fm/irish-tech-news If you'd like to be featured in an upcoming Podcast email us at Simon@IrishTechNews.ie now to discuss. Irish Tech News have a range of services available to help promote your business. Why not drop us a line at Info@IrishTechNews.ie now to find out more about how we can help you reach our audience. You can also find and follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat.

Candidates are making avoidable mistakes when applying for jobs. These errors range from generic CVs to avoidable virtual interview blunders – but hiring managers say small errors continue to cost candidates opportunities in an increasingly competitive job market. Breda Dooley, HR & Recruitment Manager at Matrix Recruitment Group, says many of the same issues appear repeatedly in applications and interviews. In a job market that is competitive, she highlighted that applicants should show preparation, professionalism and genuine interest in the role and avoid the following common but avoidable mistakes. Virtual interview blunders Breda noted that virtual interview etiquette is paramount in 2026, yet candidates still continue to undermine their performance through avoidable online interview mistakes. One of the most common virtual interview issues Breda sees is not even down to the candidate themselves. She highlighted: 1) poor camera positioning, 2) weak internet connections that have not been tested beforehand, and 3) background noise or distractions in the interview environment as the most frequent issues in this regard. Breda said disengaged body language is very easy to detect on-screen: "Virtual interviews require the same level of preparation as face-to-face meetings. Your setup, body language and focus all influence the impression you leave," she added. Lack of research about the company Breda has also seen many candidates arriving at interviews without a clear understanding of the organisation, its work or even the industry. "Candidates who haven't taken time to research the company can struggle to explain why they are interested in the role or how they would contribute to the organisation," Breda said. "They stand out in the worst way; employers want to see that applicants understand the business and can explain how they would add value." Over-rehearsed or generic interview answers Breda said others then rely too heavily on memorised answers, which makes all their answers sound stilted and unnatural. Though being prepared is key, answers that sound rehearsed can come across as scripted and inauthentic. "Interviews should still feel like a conversation," Dooley said. "Candidates should focus on sharing genuine examples that show how they approach challenges or deliver results. It's really important to give real-life examples and scenarios with clear facts. This will stick out in an interview and showcase your skills." Rambling or unfocused responses Overly long answers that lack structure are also a major red flag for hiring managers, says Breda, who urged candidates to outline the situation clearly, their actions, and the relevant outcome. "Don't ramble," says Breda. "Clear and concise answers that focus on relevant examples tend to leave a stronger impression on interview panels." Failing to ask questions at the end of the interview Another red flag the recruitment expert cited was not asking follow-up questions at the end of an interview. Breda explained that employers want questions to demonstrate not only engagement and genuine interest in the role and the organisation, but also that you haven't zoned out during the interview. "It's a two-way process," Dooley said. "Candidates should use the opportunity to learn more about the role, the team and the company culture. The fundamentals haven't changed: preparation, clarity and professionalism remain the factors that set strong candidates apart." More about Irish Tech News Irish Tech News are Ireland's No. 1 Online Tech Publication and often Ireland's No.1 Tech Podcast too. You can find hundreds of fantastic previous episodes and subscribe using whatever platform you like via our Anchor.fm page here: https://anchor.fm/irish-tech-news If you'd like to be featured in an upcoming Podcast email us at Simon@IrishTechNews.ie now to discuss. Irish Tech News have a range of services available to help promote your business. Why not drop us a line at Info@IrishTechNews.ie now...

The human resources (HR) function is at a critical turning point, facing what industry leaders describe as a "seismic shift" driven by artificial intelligence (AI), legislative reform, and global economic uncertainty. This was the key message at HR 2026+: Adapt or Be Overtaken – Navigating the Seismic Shift in Legislation and AI, a conference hosted by Shannon Chamber through its HR Forum, in association with Adare Trusted People Partners, and co-sponsored by Shannon Chamber Skillnet. Held at Dromoland Castle Hotel, the event brought together CEOs, HR leaders, and experts to share practical insights and strategies for organisations across the Mid-West and beyond. The clear message from the day was that HR must move from a support role to a central driver of business strategy and growth. Opening the conference, Helen Downes, CEO, Shannon Chamber, said the pace of change facing organisations has accelerated significantly, placing new demands on HR professionals. "The human resources landscape is no longer just evolving; it is undergoing a seismic shift. The goalposts for business as usual have moved, driven by the rapid pace of AI and the complexity of new legislation such as the EU Pay Transparency Directive," she said. Daragh McGreal, director, KPMG Strategy, outlined a mixed economic outlook. While Ireland continues to perform strongly, with record employment approaching three million, high export levels, and strong foreign direct investment, global uncertainty is increasing, he pointed to geopolitical instability, changing trade dynamics, and emerging security risks in Europe, alongside domestic challenges such as housing shortages and rising living costs. "For HR, this means continued competition for talent, adoption of the right technology, and planning for ongoing uncertainty," he said. A CEO panel featuring Leo Clancy, CEO, Ei Electronics, and Vicky Howard, former country manager with Reagecon, a Calibre Scientific Company, explored how AI is already being used in Irish-based organisations. At Ei Electronics in Shannon, AI tools are enabling software teams to work significantly faster, while also supporting operations and customer engagement. However, the panel stressed that AI is not just about technology; it is about people and how organisations adapt. They stressed that while AI will increasingly support day-to-day work, it still requires human oversight and that organisations will begin to see a mix of people and AI-driven agents, with critical thinking and judgement remaining essential, particularly in regulated sectors The discussion highlighted HR's central role in guiding how AI is introduced and used across organisations. The EU Pay Transparency Directive was identified as one of the most immediate challenges facing employers. Jack Clarke, head of Reward at Irish Life, in a fireside chat with Derek McKay, director of Adare Trusted People Partners, described it as a scary but necessary change that will reshape how organisations approach pay. New requirements will include salary ranges in job advertisements; employees having the right to request pay comparisons; enhanced gender pay gap reporting across clearly defined groups of similar roles; and the removal of pay secrecy clauses "This will move organisations away from a black box approach to pay and towards greater fairness and openness. Done right, it can build trust and strengthen an organisation's reputation as an employer," she said. James Ryan, CEO of WorkMatters, focused on the practical opportunities AI presents for HR teams. He said that automation can significantly reduce administrative workload, allowing HR to focus more on people, culture, and strategy. "Start with the problem, not the technology. Look at where time is being lost and where processes can be improved before introducing AI," he advised. He shared examples of organisations reducing administrative tasks by up to 80%, freeing up time for more meaningful work. Keynote speaker Professor Da...

HyperPath, a recent spin-out from Tyndall National Institute, based at University College Cork, is addressing one of today's biggest mobility challenges: ensuring reliable, always-on wireless connectivity for systems on the move. HyperPath was founded on pioneering research conducted within Tyndall's Wireless Communications Laboratory by Dr Kariem Fahmi and Professor Holger Claussen, which solves the problem of continuous connectivity through an AI-powered software platform that seamlessly fuses and orchestrates multiple unreliable wireless networks into a single ultra-reliable connection. As cars and autonomous systems become more connected, uninterrupted communication is essential for safety and operational efficiency. However, current networks have limitations, such as cellular coverage gaps, satellite line-of-sight issues, and high costs, which can lead to service interruptions, safety risks, and reduced performance. HyperPath removes reliance on any single network, providing a stronger and more resilient connection: — For automotive manufacturers: Always-on connectivity to support advanced vehicle features, autonomy, and safety systems across urban, rural, and remote environments. — For satellite and virtual network operators: New opportunities to deliver hybrid services that combine satellite and terrestrial networks. The development of HyperPath's technology was supported through an Enterprise Ireland–funded Commercialisation Fund project, which enabled the team to translate their research into a market-ready solution. HyperPath also benefitted from Enterprise Ireland's Business Partners Programme and has secured Pre-Seed Start Fund investment, providing crucial support as the company moves into the next phase of growth. With this foundation in place, HyperPath is now entering a growth phase that will see the expansion of its engineering and commercial teams. The company's plans for high-value job creation will contribute to Ireland's growing deep-tech and semiconductor-adjacent ecosystem, adding further momentum to the region's reputation as a hub for advanced connectivity and mobility technologies. Dr Patrick Morrissey, Director of Innovation and Industry Engagement, Tyndall, said: "HyperPath represents the type of innovative, high-impact software company that complements and reinforces Ireland's rapidly scaling semiconductor ecosystem. Its success showcases the Semiconductor Strategy, Silicon Island, in practice, and aligns with Tyndall's mission to support companies that add capability, depth, and competitiveness to Ireland's national semiconductor landscape." Professor Holger Claussen, Head of Tyndall's Wireless Communications Laboratory and Professor of Wireless Communications at University College Cork and Trinity College Dublin, said: "With HyperPath, we solved the very hard technical problem to efficiently combine multiple unreliable wireless networks into an ultra-reliable and highly efficient link. We approach the theoretical maximum bonding performance, which currently no other existing link-bonding solution can do with variable wireless links." Ger Mc Namara, CEO, HyperPath, said: "We are at a pivotal point in time for resilient, on-the-move wireless connectivity, be it autonomous vehicles, mobile robotics, drone operations or emergency services. The challenges and business impacts associated with single wireless network use can no longer be tolerated. HyperPath is leading the way in delivering AI-optimised, resilient wireless hybrid connectivity"