Podcasts about irish rail

Third Edition of the National AI Meet announced as Industry, Academia and Policy Experts to convene in Galway TechIreland has announced that the third edition of the National AI Meet will take place in Galway on 18th September, bringing together senior leaders from industry, academia, and public policy to highlight Ireland's growing role as a leader in AI adoption across business and society. The event will be officially opened by Minister Niamh Smyth TD, Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, with responsibility for Trade Promotion, Artificial Intelligence, and Digital Transformation. National AI Meet, Galway September 18th A curated cohort of over 300 businesses (invite-only) from diverse sectors across the island are expected to attend, reflecting the wide-reaching impact of AI on both technology and non-tech industries. The top teams from this year's National AI Challenge will also showcase their solutions at the Meet. The National AI Meet has received longstanding support from Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland, InterTradeIreland, Data2Sustain European Digital Innovation Hubs, and global AI leaders including Google and OpenAI - reinforcing Ireland's unique standing in AI talent, research, and innovation. This year's programme features top executives from the likes of CeADAR, Údarás na Gaeltachta and Iarnród Éireann (Irish Rail), alongside multinationals such as Genesys and Workhuman, and Irish startups like Jentic and Success.co. Expert panels will cover topics ranging from AI Agents and manufacturing automation, to future skills-needs, underscoring the Meet's objective in supporting AI adoption across the Irish workforce. In last year's event, more than 200 leadership team members participated, 60% were high potential companies and multinationals with significant R&I in Ireland, 17% from the public sector, 8% academics and research community. 45% of attendees were from Dublin, 25% from the host city - Galway and the remainder representing more than 18 counties from Belfast to Cork and Donegal to Waterford. Inspired by Ireland's refreshed National AI Strategy - AI: Here for Good (2024), and strengthened by the presence of nearly all leading AI multinationals in Ireland, world-class universities offering cutting-edge programmes, and a vibrant indigenous ecosystem of more than 4,000 technology startups, Ireland has a unique opportunity to be a global frontrunner in ethical and human-centric AI adoption. Organisers and partners look forward to welcoming industry leaders at the National AI Meet in Galway, and working together to place Ireland at the forefront of innovation. Acknowledgements TechIreland is grateful to all partners; Enterprise Ireland, Data2Sustain EDIH, InterTradeIreland, Google Cloud, IDA Ireland; supporters OpenAI, Iarnród Éireann and Údarás na Gaeltachta; and co-sponsors ITAG, Bank of Ireland, Technology Ireland ICT Skillnet, and Code Institute for their collaboration and support. Commentary from Key Stakeholders Brian Caulfield, TechIreland: ''Over the past three years, TechIreland's National AI Meet has continued to grow, welcoming an ever-larger number of participants. This momentum reflects the increasing interest in and support for artificial intelligence adoption across the island of Ireland. I hope this event will provide further impetus for deeper conversations and stronger collaboration in the years ahead.'' Donnchadh Cullinan, Enterprise Ireland: "Enterprise Ireland is proud to support the National AI Meet, a key initiative that reflects our strategy to accelerate sustainable Irish business. By connecting startups, scale-ups, and global leaders, the Meet fosters innovation, competitiveness, and collaboration - driving AI adoption that helps Irish companies start, scale, and lead globally. It's a powerful platform for accelerating real-world transformation across sectors." John Durcan, IDA Ireland: ''It is great to see TechIreland going from strength to strength, t...

There's further optimisim for the reopening of Crusheen's Rail Stop following recent comments from Iarnród Eireann. It comes as Irish Rail's Chairperson Steve Murphy has stated that the preservation of the Western Rail Corridor as a is an absolute priority following suggestions that some sections near Mayo and Sligo could be repurposed as a greenway. Clare County Council, meanwhile, is currently awaiting a decision on its funding application for enabling works to reopen the halt at Crusheen. Western Inter County Railway Committee Member and Maghera Fianna Fáil Councillor Pat Hayes says that will be make or break.

Irish Rail is in the process of planning and executing massive expansions and updates to its services, with levels of demand for timely and efficient public transportation at an all-time high. What can we expect from our public transport in the next 10 years? All to discuss with Irish Rail Chairman Steve Murphy.

When travelling, whether it is by bus, train or plane, there is nothing more annoying than listening to someone else's music or podcast.Last week, Irish Rail announced that they would fine €100 to anyone playing loud music in a new campaign to highlight poor travel etiquette.How do you feel about people playing music out loud on public transport?Joining Andrea to discuss is Communications Manager with Irish Rail, Barry Kenny, Managing Director, Freedom Travel & Solo Travel, Ciara Mooney and listeners.

Thousands of Oasis fans are set to flood into Dublin this weekend as Croke Park plays host to their two long-awaited concerts. With demand for travel to the capital surging, Irish Rail has announced extra Intercity services to accommodate the crowds, urging passengers to book early. We get the details from Barry Kenny, Corporate Communications Manager, Iarnród Éireann.

Thousands of Oasis fans are set to flood into Dublin this weekend as Croke Park plays host to their two long-awaited concerts. With demand for travel to the capital surging, Irish Rail has announced extra Intercity services to accommodate the crowds, urging passengers to book early. We get the details from Barry Kenny, Corporate Communications Manager, Iarnród Éireann.

The outgoing CEO of the Shannon Airport Group says she'll continue to push for a rail link to the facility while head of Iarnród Éireann. Lissycasey native Mary Considine has announced her departure from the Shannon Airport Group after over 30 years working at the Clare base. She'll now succeed Cooraclare man Jim Meade as the second Clare person in-a-row to head up Irish Rail. She insists the desire for rail connectivity at Shannon remains "close to her heart".

Barry Kenny, we know him from his job in Irish Rail but in his spare time he also likes to holiday by rail and Melanie May, Travel Writer and broadcaster

Jerry spoke to Barry Kenny, corporate communications manager with Íarnród Éireann.

A surge in antisocial behaviour such as drinking, assaults, and drug use on public transport has left some Irish Rail staff afraid to work. How can we solve the issue?Joining Kieran to discuss is Suzanne Armstrong, Dublin Bus driver, Barry Kenny, Corporate Communications Manager with Irish Rail and Andrew Quigley, SIPTU Organiser.

PJ gets tips on getting there for Sunday's Cork v Tipp clash. See also Irish Rail and TravelMaster Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Get ready for an unmissable week at the KPMG Women's Irish Open! On the PaddyTalks Golf Podcast, powered by ForeGolf Custom, I'm bringing you the definitive, in-depth preview for the KPMG Women's Irish Open 2025! Mark your golf calendars for Thursday, July 3rd to Sunday, July 6th, 2025, as the world's finest golfers take on a true championship test at the magnificent Carton House in Maynooth, County Kildare, Ireland.This comprehensive episode is your essential spectator playbook to navigate and fully appreciate Ireland's premier Ladies European Tour (LET) event. We're breaking down every aspect that a dedicated golfer wants to know:The Championship Venue: Carton House & The O'Meara Course Deep Dive: Logistics for the Golfing Enthusiast: Beyond the Ropes: The Spectator Village for the Golf Community: The Powerhouse Field: Who Will Lift the Trophy? Leading Irish Professionals and Promising Irish Amateurs Global Golf Superstars & Major ChampionsThe Architects of Success: Forefront SportsEssential Event FAQsPaddy's Insider TipsThis podcast episode is your ultimate pre-tournament caddy for the KPMG Women's Irish Open 2025 at Carton House.Tune in, get informed, and do join us at the event itself next week!Essential Links for Every Golfer & Fan:Official KPMG Women's Irish Open Website: www.kpmgwomensirishopen.ie (Secure your tournament tickets and explore all details!)Ladies European Tour Official Entry List: https://ladieseuropeantour.com/reports-page?url=tmentry&id=2025&code=2028&title=Tournament%20EntriesForefront Sports - Experts in Irish Golf Events: https://forefrontsports.ie/case_study/kpmg-womens-irish-open/Irish Rail (for convenient train access to Maynooth): www.irishrail.ieConnect with Paddy Join the Conversation:Visit www.PaddyTalksGolf.com for more information and the full episode back catalogueShare this episode with your golfing foursome, your club members, and anyone passionate about Irish golf!Follow PaddyTalks Golf on social media: @PaddyTalksGolf on X/Instagram/Facebook for more golf chat from Ireland!Leave a review! Your feedback helps us grow the podcast and connect with more golf enthusiasts across Ireland and beyond. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ireland is facing a “national emergency” in infrastructure.That's according to the Chair of the The Economic and Social Research Institute Sean O'Driscoll.Our transport, housing and water systems are all in dire need of help, and not enough action is being taken apparently.So, is it?Joining Andrea to discuss is Town Planner Derek Whyte, Barry Kenny, Corporate Comms Manager at Irish Rail, Chair of the National Water Forum Dr Matt Crowe, Architect and Environmentalist Duncan Stewart and listeners.

Crossy had an idea for Irish Rail where we take a train at midnight and have food and drinks from Connolly station to Wexford... it'll make sense when you hear it! Jim-Jim pranked a hairdresser in Sandymount And we played FM104's Ins2Grand! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Six speed cameras are going to be installed at level crossings nationwide by the end of the year to stop dangerous behaviour. 30 incidents have been recorded so far this year, which include drivers speeding to try and beat the crossing gates or pedestrians trying to jump them. Drivers will now be fined €160 euro if they speed at a level crossing, and €80 if they break a red light. Barry Kenny of Irish Rail says the cameras were trialled in this county.

The Munster senior camogie final between Cork and Waterford has been cancelled amid the ongoing controversy around the wearing of skorts. Joining Anton to discuss the decision and the issues more broadly is Fine Gael Senator, Evanne Ní Chuilinn.Also joining Anton to run through the main stories form th Saturday papers is Barry Kenny, Corporate Communications Manager with Irish Rail & Brenda Power, columnist with the Sunday Times and the Irish Daily Mail.

Major changes are underway today for rail users in the Dublin area and beyond with the introduction of the “Dublin Commuter Zone". This will bring new fares with it. We get more details with Mark Gleeson, Spokesperson for Rail Users Ireland.

As rail fare and zonal adjustments come into effect today from Irish Rail, including Leap Cards becoming available over a wider area, we're asking the question: should we be trialing free travel? Joining Andrea to discuss is Conor Reddy, People Before Profit Councilor for Ballymun-Finglas, Gary Marshall, Committee Member of Dublin Commuters, Lochlann Gallagher, Chair of Galway Commuters Coalition and Travel Writer Melanie May.

Major changes are underway today for rail users in the Dublin area and beyond with the introduction of the “Dublin Commuter Zone". This will bring new fares with it. We get more details with Mark Gleeson, Spokesperson for Rail Users Ireland.

Barry Kenny, Head of Corporate Communications at Irish Rail, outlines the rail fare changes impacting Dublin commuters and surrounding towns including Drogheda, Kildare, Navan and Rathdrum

Irish Rail is set to introduce adjustments to commuter zones from Monday, along with changes to fares. This will see Dublin and commuter areas be divided into four zones under the new changes. But what exactly does this mean for commuters? Kieran speaks to Barry Kenny, Corporate Communications Manager with Iarnrod Eireann.

Ibec is celebrating 11 years of National Workplace Wellbeing Day, promoting healthier, more supportive work environments.In this episode of Ibec Responds, Patrick Haslett, Product Manager for the KeepWell Mark, is in conversation with Sharon Daly, Health & Wellbeing Programme Manager at Irish Rail.  They discuss Irish Rail's workplace wellbeing strategy and their journey with the KeepWell framework.Thank you for listening. To explore all of Ibec's podcast offering, visit here. Make sure to follow Ibec Podcasts to stay up to date with new episodes.

A comment from IDA Ireland's CEO, Michael Lohan, at a Shannon Chamber lunch in Dromoland Castle Hotel was most appropriate at a time when commentary is focused on the impact that US-imposed tariffs will have on our economy. Stating that Ireland is more than a location but an ecosystem for extraordinary, defined by its people and place, stability and support, and its ecosystem and environment, he paid particular focus to the partnership approach, the business-friendly environment and the innovativeness of enterprise, which, he said, is the cornerstone of Ireland's success in attracting and retaining investment. In an address delivered the day before the much-heralded liberation day, Lohan did caution that the global race for impactful foreign direct investment has significantly intensified and that the year ahead will be turbulent for the global economy. He cited the key enabling conditions that Ireland needs to focus on as relative cost competitiveness, planning, infrastructure delivery, talent development and innovation and its incentive offering, and that IDA's strategy through to 2029 will target opportunities in the growth drivers of digitisation and AI, semiconductors, sustainability, and health. Delivering good news to the regions, he said that IDA aims to create 75,000 jobs over that time, including delivering 550 regional investments, whilst simultaneously reducing IDA client carbon emissions by 35%, and upskilling 40,000 people. Addressing the many companies and business groupings in the room, he emphasised the need for collaboration, stating that success in an intensely competitive landscape will require an enhanced focus on partnering impactfully with key stakeholders. "The collective strength that is evident in Ireland is not repeated across the globe. The real benefits will come from collective collaboration," he added. In a fireside discussion with Fine Grain Property's CEO, event sponsor, and director of Shannon Chamber, Colin MacDonald, who moderated a comprehensive questions and answers session after the main address, Lohan responded to questions both from the moderator and from transition year students from five Co. Clare schools whose attendance at the event was sponsored by Irish Rail. Responding to a question on tariffs, he said they were counterproductive and negative for productivity and that it was critical that space be created for discussion post the tariffs' announcement. When questioned on the impact of delays in the Irish planning system he called on everyone in the room to urge those within their sphere of influence to think before they make an objection to a planning application. While accepting that opinion is valued and critical, he said that it must be timely and not stymie agility in the planning system and, when planning concerns critical national infrastructure, he said that everyone needs to play their part in ensuring that they are delivered in a timely fashion. With a pending shift in global trade, looking to the future he said that to compete on a global stage, Ireland will have to play to its strengths, stay nimble, and trust its ability and capability to influence. Complementing Shannon on its unique ecosystem for business, he called for increased collaboration to bring additionality to the entire region. "Ireland is competing globally, not on a location-by-location basis," he added. Responding to this call, Shannon Chamber president Eoin Gavin said that it was the collective ambition of everyone attending the lunch to ensure that we continue to provide the infrastructure that will attract further investment in the areas set out in IDA's strategy 2025 - 2029 and in the newly developing landscape of digitalisation and artificial intelligence (AI) and sustainability. "We are very much heartened by the fact that a key goal of IDA is to deliver regional investments. This will bolster the 165,000 job numbers already delivered by IDA Ireland client companies in regional locations across ...

Rosamund Taylor, Poet and Writer

PJ talks to Jack who says the Irish Rail rules around the types of Student ID need changing Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The CEO of Irish Rail believes the reopening of the Crusheen Rail Stop will happen "in the medium term". The national railway network operator has this week announced plans for capacity enhancements on the Limerick to Galway line which includes Ennis and Sixmilebridge. It comes as the Crusheen railway station has been put forward for consideration for the Rural Regeneration and Development fund. Cooraclare native and Iarnród Éireann CEO Jim Meade says his organisation is fully supportive of the project pending funding approval.

In France they will fine you up to €200 if you have your phone on loudspeaker on the train, should something similar be done here?To discuss, Kieran is joined by Barry Kenny, Corporate Communications Manager with Irish Rail, Sadhbh O'Neill, part-time Lecturer in TUD and regular commuter and Dr Malie Coyne, Clinical Psychologist and author.

Geraldine Herbert, Motoring Editor Sunday Independent // Alan O'Reilly, Carlow weather // Barry Kenny, Corporate Communications Manager with Irish Rail

For this week's Ask the Expert, Barry Kenny, Communications Manager with Irish Rail joins Andrea to answer any of your train-related questions!

Barry Kenny, Corporate Communications Manager with Irish Rail

Iarnród Éireann has confirmed that train services in Dublin will go back to the previous timetable from the 14th of October.While the new timetables had increased some intercity services, it ultimately led to congestion and knock-on delays on routes.Iarnród Éireann has acknowledged the disruption, apologised to customers and spokesperson Barry Kenny has said they "got it wrong".Joining Kieran to discuss if this was the right move is Mark Gleeson from Rail Users Ireland and Jason Cullen of the Dublin Commuter Coalition.

Irish Rail released a new timetable in late August, and it seems to have caused nothing but issues since…They apologised for the impact on commuters a few weeks ago, and are due to release a new timetable to fix the problems.Have you been affected?Andrea is joined by Barry Kenny from Irish Rail, Labour Councillor Corina Johnston and listeners who have been impacted to discuss.

One of the biggest topics this week is the negative reaction to Irish Rail's new timetable. Kieran's guest believes that nothing about public transport will change unless we complain more about it!Sadhbh O'Neill, Climate Activist and Researcher joins the show.

Duncan Smith, Labour TD for Dublin Fingal, and member of the Oireachtas Transport Committee and Barry Kenny, Corporate Communications Manager with Irish Rail

Yesterday on the show the new Irish Rail train timetable was discussed, and how it's been an issue for commuters. The changes were made to accommodate the hourly Dublin to Belfast train.Today, Newstalk's Henry McKean was sent out in rush hour to see how it was for passengers. Henry started his journey in Skerries and ended in the new train hub, Grand Canal Dock.

Delays and overcrowding remain commonplace for commuters after Irish Rail timetable changes were implemented earlier this month.To discuss, Kieran is joined by Mark Gleeson from Rail Users Ireland, Alan Farrell, Fine Gael TD, Chair of the Fine Gael Parliamentary Party and Spokesperson for Justice and Barry Kenny, Corporate Communications Manager with Irish Rail.

Iarnród Eireann has unveiled its proposals to increase frequency and introduce an hourly service on the Ennis to Limerick rail line. At a special presentation before Ennnis Chamber today, the company also provided significant updates on the Shannon Airport Rail Spur, the Ballycar flood defence and the reopening of the Crusheen Rail Stop. Within the next 3 years, the company is aiming to gain stage 1 project approval, conecpt feasibility, costing and a preliminary design for the Shannon link. Cooraclare native and CEO Jim Meade says providing top quality infrastructure in the MidWest is of paramount importance.

Iarnród Eireann has unveiled its proposals to increase frequency and introduce an hourly service on the Ennis to Limerick rail line. At a special presentation before Ennis Chamber today, the company also provided significant updates on the Shannon Airport Rail Spur, the Ballycar Flood Defence Scheme and the reopening of the Crusheen Rail Stop. Iarnród Eireann used the meeting to deliver their plan for implementing the recommendations of the strategic All-Island Rail Review over the next 26 years. Among the aims of the programme is a rail link to Shannon Airport and reducing all intercity journey times to below 2 hours. Iarnród Eireann is hoping to connect Clare's International Airport to the rail network via a spur at either Cratloe or Sixmilebridge. Within the next 3 years, the company is aiming to gain stage 1 project approval, concecpt feasibility, costing and a preliminary design. Ennis Chamber CEO Margaret O'Brien insists timely delivery of the project will be crucial to the region's economic and tourism growth and says it's vital all stakeholders row in behind the plans. The Clare based CEO of Iarnród Eireann has set a goal of creating an inflection point in Irish society, where public transport overtakes the car as the first port of call for getting from A to B. Locally, the company is planning to provide an hourly service from Ennis to Limerick and reducing the travel time on the route to twenty minutes. This will be done by doubling the existing track infrastructure at Limerick Junction and introducing a looped track at Sixmilebridge, which will enable two trains to travel on the line simultaneously. The company is expecting the cost of the flooding solution at Ballycar, near Newmarket-On-Fergus to exceed €16m and is completing a new costing while it awaits funding approval from the National Transport Authority. If approved, Iarnród Eireann boss, Jim Meade believes the legacy flooding issues on the Ennis-Limerick line can be eliminated in the next two to three years. The Cooraclare native, who joined the company as an apprentice back in 1979, says providing top quality infrastructure in the MidWest is of paramount importance. Next year, Iarnród Eireann will aim to introduce the world's first ever Hydrogen powered locomotive and will begin the process of electrifying the rail network as part of a decarbonisation plan. The public transport provider is open to extending the rail network too and has confirmed its intention to progress with the reopening of the Crusheen Rail Stop, subject to funding approval by the NTA and Department of Transport. During the briefing, Green Party Deputy Leader Roisín Garvey confirmed Transport Minister Eamon Ryan would meet with a delegation from Crusheen to discuss the proposal, which is estimated to cost €4.5m. Nollaig Barry from the Inchicronan Development Group believes the reopening of Crusheen is a no-brainer.

A campaign group that has long advocated for the reopening of the Western Rail Corridor has expressed hope that Crusheen Railway Station will come back into use sooner rather than later. It comes as the findings of an extensive investigation into the potential for the defunct railway stop to be reinstated have been presented to the public. Once a consistent component of the village's soundtrack, the sound of a train stopping in Crusheen hasn't been heard for several decades. Now however, the prospect of commuters being able to avail of rail transport in the North Clare settlement seems closer than ever. Crusheen Railway Station was first built in 1869 and served the area for over 100 years before being closed to passenger traffic in 1976, and to freight traffic in the 1990s. The line subsequently reopened in 2010, as part of the Western Corridor rail project, but the station remained closed. Hopes were reiginited in 2013 when Irish Rail secured planning permission for the station's reopening, with plans drawn up for a new 90-metre platform, but no progress was made. In March of this year, Clare County Council commissioned Repucon Consulting to undertake an independent socio-economic appraisal of the benefits of reopening the station and rail stop. As part of this effort, the local authority has purchased lands to provide a publicly-owned strategic landbank to be used for a platform, passenger bridge and any other necessary infrastructure. Executive Director of Repucon Consulting, Mark O'Connell, says the station would be a "phenomenal service for County Clare". A local resident survey taken as part of the socio-economic analysis yielded 1,244 responses, 1,029 of which were incorporated into the report, as the remaining 115 were from respondents living outside the immediate catchment area. Of those whose responses were factored into the analysis, 92% were "very strongly" in support of the station's reopening and 53% of commuters said they were "very likely" to use the local rail service. The estimated current commuter market audience for the station is between 1,100 and 1,700. Senior Planner with the Killaloe Municipal District, Brian McCarthy says the level of engagement from the general public shows how important having a railway station would be to Crusheen. The report states that reopening the station would cost roughly €4.5 million. With its 15-year employment income impact estimated at €25.5 million, the return on investment would be €5.65 for every €1 spent on bringing it back into use. Colmán Ó Raghallaigh from community-based campaign group West on Track believes in light of the evidence presented, reopening the station is an inevitability.

Could Ireland host an Olympic games? Senator Malcolm Byrne thinks so; he wants us to aim to bid for the 2072 Summer Olympics. Is this a bit mad, or could it really happen?Andrea Gilligan is joined by Senator Byrne, Barry Kenny from Irish Rail, Brian Caufield from Trinity College Dublin and more to discuss.

Irish Rail has had to put up warning signs ­telling people not to rummage in station bins for bottles and cans worth money under the Deposit Return Scheme. Is this a sign that people are buying into the new system? Broadcaster and Columnist, Wendy Grace and David Hall CEO of iCare Housing and CEO of Lifeline Serivces spoke to Kieran about what they thought.

Barry Kenny, Corporate Communications Manager with Irish Rail and Olympics don

Barry Kenny Irish Rail speaks to PJ about the rail services on offer to the hurling final, why bikes are banned at peak times & the East Cork commuter route. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Irish Rail insists having a rail connection to Shannon Airport would give this region a stronger counterbalance to Dublin. The national railway network provider is planning to bring a proposal to the Government through the Department of Transport for the creation of a rail stop at the Midwest base. Building a rail spur from either Sixmilebridge or Cratloe to Shannon Airport was a recommendation of the All-Island Strategic Rail Review, while the Shannon Estuary Economic Taskforce Report also supports the connection of the airport to the rail network. Clare native and Irish Rail Chief Executive Officer Jim Meade believes connecting the construction of a rail connection at Shannon would make the airport more sustainable as well as more competitive.

Excitement is reaching fever pitch for this Sunday's All-Ireland Hurling Final between Clare and Cork.However, there have been reports that Cork fans are having difficulty in actually getting to the game in Croke Park, with train seats seemingly being sold out.Listener Claire joins the show to share her issue, and Andrea is joined by Thomas Gould, Sinn Féin TD for Cork North Central and Barry Kenny from Irish Rail and more listeners to discuss.

Harnessing technology for a better world one locality at a time Can technology be a force for good? That's the question being asked by thought leaders and innovators at this year's Dargan Forum, taking place in Dún Laoghaire on Thursday 4 July, as they explore how technology can empower communities and drive Ireland's digital, green future. The Dargan Forum is Europe's boutique conference on empowering the Green & Digital Transition for Localities Opening this year's conference with expert insight into how technology can serve people and places is Bobby Healy, CEO of MANNA Drone Delivery, who will share his company's inspiring vision for a net zero future for deliveries. Keynote speakers include Dara Calleary TD, Minister of State for Digital Transformation; Allan Mulrooney, CEO of the Western Development Commission; David Curtin, CEO of .ie; and Emma Jones, founder and CEO of London based Enterprise Nation which recently announced a strategic partnership with the Dargan Forum. Emma Jones of Enterprise Nation said: "Digital adoption is not just about new jobs, a tech-enabled, thriving local small business community creates better jobs, better businesses and more innovation - all of which contribute to a healthy local economy. That's why we're delighted to be partnering with Dargan Institute's forward-thinking plans to ensure Irish firms can get ahead in the global digital transformation race." David Curtin, CEO of key Dargan Forum 2024 sponsor .ie, shared: ".ie has been a long-term champion of the transformative power of digital technology in our towns and communities. The Dargan Forum serves as a crucial platform for driving meaningful change by leveraging our collective experience to bridge the digital divide and elevate digital skills. Partnering with the Dargan Forum is vital because it prioritises people and places, ensuring that progress benefits everyone. Together, we are committed to uncovering the innovative ways in which digitalisation enriches lives, strengthens communities, and boosts enterprises." Eoin Costello, national director of the Dargan Institute, said: "In the 21st century powerful virtual technologies such as cloud computing, AI and quantum computing will shape our lives in ways that we can only imagine. The objective of the Dargan Forum is ensuring that these powerful technologies are put to the service of people and places, leaving no one behind." Other key event partners include Irish Rail, Connected Hubs, Søstrene Grene and Fáilte Ireland. Bank of Ireland is also a long-term supporter of the work of the Dargan Institute through the Dargan Hub, Dún Laoghaire. Book your place To secure a place at this innovative free event, connect with like-minded individuals, and contribute to the dialogue that will shape the future of Irish communities, visit the Dargan Forum website. About the Dargan Forum The Dargan Forum is named after William Dargan, pioneer of railway technology and arguably Ireland's most important engineer of the 19th century. The Forum channels William Dargan's pioneering spirit by working to harness technology for human good and using it to connect people, places and ideas in new ways, just as Dargan himself did. More about William Dargan. Billy Linehan of Celtar Advisers and co-founder of StartUp Ballymun is joining a panel discussion on the topic "Empowering Small Business through Digital" at the Dargan Forum. Billy is a member of the Ballymun 4 Business network. 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 ...

Mark Gleeson from Rail Users Ireland and Barry Kenny, Corporate Communications Manager with Irish Rail.

Conor Faughnan, Chief Executive of the RIAC, Barry Kenny, Corporate Communications Manager with Irish Rail and Alan O'Reilly from Carlow Weather.

Carol has cancer and her son's apprenticeship is delayed. Angela's OCD began when she was a nurse. Noreen thinks Irish toilets are filthy. Joe thinks dogs should wear jackets with reg plates on them. Lonan was impressed by how kind Irish Rail staff were.

An Garda Síochána, Irish Rail and An Post give updates on the latest weather disruption