Hubs across Ireland are reshaping communities and boosting local economies, with new opportunities emerging as artificial intelligence (AI) begins to revolutionise the future of work and innovation. These themes were at the forefront of discussions yesterday at the Third Annual National Hub Summit, held in Tullamore, Co. Offaly. The sold-out event welcomed over 250 attendees and 32 exhibitors, making it the largest gathering of its kind to date.
The Summit provided a platform for international and Irish thought leaders, hub teams, representative bodies, state agencies, and government departments to share insights on how Ireland’s network of over 350 hubs is fostering entrepreneurship, supporting remote work, and revitalising towns and villages across the country.
Opening the event, Allan Mulrooney, CEO of the Western Development Commission, emphasised the transformative role hubs play in Ireland’s regional and national development:
The Western Development Commission, in partnership with the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, continues to drive a thriving National Hub Network that’s reshaping Ireland’s regional landscape.
“This Summit is a powerful opportunity for hub leaders, policymakers, and state agencies to come together to build on this momentum. It’s not only about growing a network of workspaces; it’s about creating vibrant, sustainable communities where people can live and work closer to home, fostering both economic growth and quality of life across rural Ireland. Today’s Summit showcases this dynamic vision, with highlights like our Hub Expo, which connects hub managers with vital resources, and insights into AI and the future of remote work. Together, we’re reinforcing the social and economic lifelines that hubs offer to towns and villages, making Ireland a leader in flexible, community-based work.
A major focus of the day was the emerging role of AI in transforming how businesses and hubs operate. Emma Redmond, Associate General Counsel at OpenAI, highlighted the potential for AI to drive growth and innovation:
Ireland’s highly skilled workforce and strong start-up community makes it well placed to seize the AI opportunity. We’re pleased to participate in the National Hub Summit and support the Hub Network to help Irish businesses of all sizes benefit from this transformative technology.
Keynote speaker Padraig Walsh, Chartered Behavioural Psychologist, shared insights on how hubs can engage communities more effectively:
Our work with the Western Development Commission’s Connected Hubs on the National Hub Network is about creating a deeper understanding of human behaviour and the engagement approaches that empower hubs to grow and support thriving professional communities. This project equips hub managers with tools and strategies grounded in behavioural science to meet the evolving demands of remote work and community engagement.
Stephen Carolan, Connected Hubs Manager, reinforced the importance of continuous innovation to ensure the success of the network:
Connected Hubs has redefined how people live and work in Ireland. By supporting remote work and entrepreneurship, hubs are driving growth in towns and villages that were often overlooked. With AI and behavioural science shaping our next steps, we’re committed to ensuring the network evolves to meet the challenges of the future head-on.
The National Hub Summit showcased the critical role hubs play in Ireland’s social and economic development. With a sold-out audience and over 350 hubs nationwide, the event underlined the importance of collaboration and innovation in keeping Ireland’s hubs at the forefront of the future of work and community development.
