Across the West and Northwest of Ireland, a significant transformation is underway. Communities once shaped by emigration are now experiencing renewed growth, as people choose to live, work and build futures across the region.

Now returning for its fourth season on TG4, Moving West continues to document this shift, telling the stories of individuals, families and entrepreneurs who are contributing to a vibrant and evolving Western Region.

Produced by Dundara Television and Media in partnership with the Western Development Commission and supported by the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, the series highlights the opportunities that exist across Galway, Mayo, Donegal, Sligo, Leitrim and Roscommon.

Presented by Mary Kennedy, the new season explores the personal and professional journeys of those who have chosen to relocate, from returning emigrants and growing families to innovators, remote workers and business founders. Their stories reflect a wider narrative of regional resilience, creativity and ambition.

Filmed across the six western counties, the series captures both the practical realities and emotional experiences of relocation. It showcases how communities are attracting diverse talent and fostering environments where people can thrive, professionally, culturally and socially.

On May 13th, the Western Development Commission hosted its first ever London event, Plug into the West, bringing together founders, business leaders, ecosystem partners, creatives and members of the Irish diaspora at the London Irish Centre in Camden.

The event showcased the innovation, ambition and momentum building across the West and Northwest of Ireland, while creating space for new conversations, partnerships and connections with London-based professionals and businesses.

Over one hundred people registered for the event, with a strong turnout on the night including founders, investors, entrepreneurs, members of the Irish community in London and stakeholders with strong personal and professional links to the region.

Opening the evening, WDC CEO Allan Mulrooney spoke about the changing story of the West and Northwest and the growing opportunity for people not just to return, but to reconnect with the region in new ways.

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A new report launched today by the Western Development Commission has found that the West and Northwest of Ireland could unlock significant new opportunities for communities, enterprise, tourism, talent attraction and international connectivity through a stronger and more coordinated approach to diaspora engagement. 

The report, Connected Communities, Global Relationships, is the first comprehensive regional study of its kind and examines how people and organisations in counties Donegal, Sligo, Leitrim, Roscommon, Mayo, Galway and Clare work to build meaningful links with people overseas who retain family, cultural, professional and emotional connections to the region. 

Drawing on 240 responses representing 178 organisations and groups, the research found that diaspora engagement is notably strong across the region, led by local authorities, community organisations, heritage groups, tourism projects, sports clubs and educational institutions, with much of the activity underpinned by volunteerism and personal commitment. Forty-seven per cent of respondents said they already actively engage with the diaspora, while a further 35 per cent said they would like to do more than they currently are. 

The strongest motivation identified was maintaining bonds of friendship and connection, ranking ahead of fundraising or commercial return. Respondents also pointed to the importance of diaspora links in supporting tourism, local pride, skills exchange, business opportunities and long-term community resilience. 

However, the report also found that much of this work is taking place without dedicated resources, shared systems or consistent strategic support. Many organisations cited lack of time, staffing capacity and difficulty maintaining long-term relationships despite strong goodwill and growing demand. 

The study identified key international links for the region across Britain, North America, Australia and mainland Europe, with cities such as London, Boston and New York continuing to feature strongly as important centres of connection. 

Speaking at the report launch, Allan Mulrooney, Chief Executive of the Western Development Commission, said: 

“For the West and Northwest, diaspora relationships represent a significant strategic asset. They include skills, experience, networks, advocacy, cultural capital and investment potential. Few regions have experienced migration on the scale seen here or retain such strong emotional and practical connections across generations. With stronger coordination, dedicated support and sustained ambition, the potential exists not only to deepen existing relationships, but to unlock new opportunities for communities, enterprise and future generations across the region.” 

Dr Aisling Moroney, who led the research on behalf of the WDC, said: 

“This study shows very clearly that the foundations for stronger diaspora engagement already exist across the West and Northwest. Communities, local authorities, festivals, heritage groups and many other kinds of organisations are maintaining valuable relationships every day, often through volunteer effort and with limited resources. What emerged from the research was not a lack of interest or ambition, but a clear appetite to do more and to strengthen what already exists.   

A notable  theme of the work being done is the strong sense of responsibility towards ‘our people abroad’, accompanied by a desire to honour and maintain connections with the generations of people who emigrated from this region.  So the kind of diaspora engagement that we are talking about strengthening is not necessarily about ‘asks’ but about mutual respect and mutual benefit”.  

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The Western Development Commission (WDC) has announced Síorghlas, a landmark event taking place on 19 June 2026 at Dexcom Stadium, Galway. Meaning “evergreen” in Irish, Síorghlas reflects both the enduring impact of the WDC’s Investment Fund and a renewed commitment to long-term, sustainable regional development.  

Set against a backdrop of economic and social change, Síorghlas will bring together policymakers, founders, investors and community leaders to reflect on progress across the Western region and shape a shared vision for the future.  

Central to that future is the WDC’s strategy, Unlocking Potential, Driving Change, which includes a commitment to invest a further €35 million in businesses and communities. This next phase will build on the success of the WDC’s evergreen model, ensuring capital continues to circulate and deliver impact where it is most needed.  

The event comes amid strong momentum for the WDC’s Investment Fund, which has now invested more than €100 million across the region. In 2025, the fund surpassed its 50th investment in the life sciences and MedTech sector, while continuing to support community enterprise, innovation and scaling businesses.  

Síorghlas will feature keynote addresses, panel discussions and founder-led sessions. Speakers include John Power, Founder and CEO of Aerogen, who will share insights on building and scaling a global company from Galway.  

Investor perspectives will be explored by Gillian Buckley of the WDC and Sarah Jane Larkin of the IVCA, alongside Brian Shields, CEO and Co-Founder of Neurent Medical Ltd, offering a practical view on capital, risk and scaling ambition.  

Danny McCoy, CEO of IBEC, will deliver a keynote on the power of regions. The programme will also feature experienced founders and investors including Eamon Brady (Mednova, Neuravi, WhiteSwell) and Barry Comerford, focusing on starting, scaling and succeeding from the West.  

A key highlight will see Minister Dara Calleary T.D. unveil findings from an independent socio-economic analysis of the WDC’s Investment Fund, providing new insights into its contribution to enterprise development, job creation and community resilience.  

Allan Mulrooney, CEO of the WDC, said: 
“Síorghlas is not just about reflecting on what has been achieved to date. It is about asking how we go further and faster, particularly for parts of the West and Northwest that still face significant challenges around investment, scale and opportunity.  

Across the region, we are seeing globally ambitious companies emerging from places that would once have been overlooked. The question now is how we build on that momentum and ensure more founders, communities and regions can benefit over the next decade.  

The WDC’s evergreen model has demonstrated long-term, regionally rooted capital works. Under our current strategy, we are committing a further €35 million through the Western Investment Fund to support the next generation of businesses to start, scale and succeed from the West and Northwest”.  

John Power, Founder and CEO of Aerogen added: 
“The West has shown it can compete on a global stage. What’s been built to date is strong, but the opportunity now is even greater. Continued access to smart, patient capital like that provided by the WDC will be key to enabling more founders to scale internationally while remaining rooted in the region”.  

Síorghlas will provide a platform for collaboration and forward-looking discussion, reinforcing the Western region’s role as a key driver of Ireland’s future innovation, enterprise and sustainable growth. The event is expected to attract founders, scaling companies, investors and policymakers from across Ireland and beyond. With capacity limited, early registration is advised.  

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Western Development Commission (WDC) and Atlantic Technological University (ATU) have today announced a major new national research partnership that will examine how remote and hybrid work is reshaping Ireland’s economy, communities and quality of life.

Funded under the TU RISE Programme, the two-year project titled, Connected Futures: The Economics of Remote and Hybrid Work in Ireland and its Impacts on Wellbeing, Mobility, and the Local Economy, represents the next chapter in one of Ireland’s most established programmes of remote work research.

For over two decades, the WDC has been at the forefront of new ways of working in Ireland, championing the potential of teleworking long before remote work became part of everyday life. Its annual National Remote Work Survey, delivered in partnership with University of Galway, became one of the country’s most trusted sources of insight into changing work patterns and opportunities for balanced regional development.

The WDC also leads Connected Hubs in partnership with the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, helping communities across the country attract workers, support enterprise and allow more people to live locally while working nationally or globally. Dr Aisling Moroney, from the WDC Policy Analysis team, will lead the WDC involvement in the research.

Atlantic Technological University brings substantial research capability to this partnership, with growing strength in applied economics, regional development, innovation and public policy. The research will be led by Dr Amaya Vega, Dr Sinead Keogh and Dr Michelle Queally from the Department of Enterprise and Technology in the Faculty of Business, working with post-doctoral researcher Dr Salim Khan. With campuses and communities across the west and northwest, ATU is uniquely placed to help examine how changing work patterns are impacting people, places and enterprise across Ireland. 

This new partnership will build on that foundation and move the conversation forward again. In a post-Covid economy, where hybrid and remote work are now established features of working life, the research will provide Government and stakeholders with fresh evidence on local spending, sustainable mobility, wellbeing, digital infrastructure, commuting behaviour and the long-term future of regional communities.

The programme will deliver enhanced national datasets, policy briefings, peer reviewed academic outputs and a flagship WDC report designed to inform decision makers and the wider public.

Dr Orla Flynn said

“Remote and hybrid work have fundamentally reshaped how we live, work and connect, particularly in regional and rural Ireland.  By combining ATU’s research expertise and regional reach with the WDC’s leadership in this area, the Connected Futures initiative will generate evidence-based insights to support national decision-making, strengthen communities and ensure that the benefits of new ways of working are shared across all regions of the country.”

Allan Mulrooney, CEO of the WDC, said:

Ireland changed how it works almost overnight. The challenge now is understanding what that means for communities, for businesses and for regional growth.

This partnership with ATU is about building that evidence, grounded in real data and lived experience, and ensuring remote and hybrid work deliver meaningful benefits across the country, not just in a small number of locations.

That evidence will help Government, agencies and employers take the right next steps and ensure Ireland remains ahead of the curve”.

Lead researcher Dr Amaya Vega said:

“At ATU Faculty of Business, we are proud to bring our expertise in regional development, mobility, health, and wellbeing to this important project, helping to shape a future of work that benefits people, and supports thriving local economies across Ireland.”

Remote and hybrid work are no longer temporary trends. They are structural changes in how people live and work. This project will provide the robust evidence needed to understand those changes and support better policy decisions for Ireland. 

The project will be supported by a high-level steering committee involving national and international stakeholders including the National Economic and Social Council, Grow Remote and other partners”. 

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Ireland joins hundreds of coworking spaces across Europe for the fourth annual European Coworking Day

Connected Hubs and Grow Remote are partnering to host European Coworking Day at eleven locations across Ireland on Wednesday 6 May 2026, inviting remote workers, hybrid workers and anyone curious about coworking to spend a free day working from their nearest participating hub.

The event is part of the fourth annual European Coworking Day, a pan-European initiative organised by the European Coworking Assembly that brings coworking spaces across Europe together on a shared date to celebrate community, collaboration and the local impact of coworking. This year’s edition is expected to see hundreds of spaces taking part across more than 28 countries.

Connected Hubs is Ireland’s national hub network, supported by the Government of Ireland and led by the Western Development Commission. With over 400 professionally managed hubs across every county in Ireland, the network has grown significantly in recent years as more people choose to work close to home rather than commute long distances.

Grow Remote is Ireland’s leading organisation supporting remote work and the people and communities it connects. Their mission is to solve the challenges of remote work to unlock social, economic and environmental change for individuals, employers and local communities. Founded to help remote workers live and work in the places they choose, Grow Remote builds community through local chapters, events and advocacy nationwide.

The organisation has been a close partner to Connected Hubs and the Western Development Commission in building awareness and community around remote working in Ireland. growremote.ie

What’s happening on the day

Each participating hub is organising its own event locally, so opening times and activities vary. Check the details on the event booking page before you travel. There is no set agenda and no programme; just a free desk, fast wifi, and a host on site to welcome visitors, help them settle in and introduce them to the wider community. Free coworking is available for first-time hub visitors. Breakfast is free for everyone.

Leah Fairman of Connected Hubs serves as Ireland’s Ambassador for European Coworking Day, representing the Irish hub network within the wider European initiative.

“European Coworking Day is a great opportunity to open our hubs up to people who haven’t yet experienced what they offer. Hubs across Ireland are excited to be involved, and for Connected Hubs, supporting this event is part of a much wider pattern of collaboration with teams and networks across Europe as we work together to build the future of local and distributed working.”

Leah Fairman, European Coworking Day Ambassador, Connected Hubs

“Remote workers are some of the most invested people in their local communities – that’s what we see every day. Getting people into hubs like these, even for a single day, is how those connections start. That’s what Grow Remote is here for, and it’s why this partnership feels so natural.”

Victoria McCormack, Community Facilitator, Grow Remote

Participating hubs

• Ballinasloe Enterprise Hub
• Co:worx, Edgeworthstown
• Culture Marina, Cork City
• Gteic Cill Charthaigh
• ii Inishowen, Buncrana
• K Works, Kinsale
• KCC Workspace, Gorey
• Ludgate, Skibbereen
• Newbridge Business Centre, Newbridge
• The View, Malahide
• RDI Hub, Killorglin

Spaces are limited. Free tickets are available at https://bit.ly/europeancoworkingday2026

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As emerging technologies continue to reshape the digital creative industries, the WDC is focused on creating and nurturing the conditions that allow ideas to scale and succeed across the West of Ireland.

This commitment is reflected in our support for EDGE26: Ireland’s Creative Economy Summit, hosted by CREW. Taking place on 21 May 2026 in Galway, EDGE26 brings together founders, investors, policymakers, and industry leaders from across the creative spectrum, including film and television, animation, gaming, immersive technology, design, and music technology, to explore how innovation, intellectual property, and enterprise can drive future growth.

EDGE26 focuses on the opportunities and challenges facing Ireland’s creative economy. The summit aims to strengthen innovation ecosystems, highlight commercial potential, and position Ireland as a leader in the next wave of creative enterprise.

As patrons of this year’s forum, our involvement aligns with our wider mission to support sustainable economic development, enterprise, and community growth across the West. By engaging with events like EDGE26, we’re helping reinforce the networks, knowledge exchange, and collaborative momentum that underpin the conditions for creative ideas to thrive and make an impact, both regionally and beyond.

EDGE26 will feature keynote speakers, panel discussions, startup zones, and showcases designed to inspire and connect the creative community.

Visit the EDGE26 website for more information and registration details.

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The Western Development Commission has today announced a new event in London.  

‘Plug into the West’ will take place on Wednesday 13 May 2026 at the London Irish Centre in Camden, offering London based audiences an opportunity to reconnect with the energy, ambition and creativity of Ireland’s West and Northwest. Hosted by the Western Development Commission (WDC), the event brings together people originally from the region, founders, investors, creatives and those interested in learning more about the opportunities emerging across the West and Northwest. 

The evening will highlight how the region has evolved into a place of real possibility, home to innovative startups, thriving creative industries and communities that continue to adapt and reinvent themselves. Guests will hear from founders shaping this transformation, including representatives from Galway medtech innovator FeelTect and Roscommon’s Arigna Group, whose journey from a long coalmining heritage to climate focused enterprise reflects the region’s remarkable capacity for renewal. 

Speakers from leading innovation hubs including PorterShed, CREW (Creative Enterprise West), AIM Centre and Platform 94 will share insights into the collaborative ecosystem supporting talent and enterprise across the region.  

The event will also feature stories from place-based enterprises such as Sliabh Liag Distillery in Donegal and Common Knowledge in Clare, organisations that blend craft, creativity, sustainability and community spirit. Alongside these conversations, guests will have opportunities to meet the speakers, network with peers, explore ways to reconnect with the region and enjoy cultural elements that showcase the character and charm of the West. 

Speaking ahead of the event, Allan Mulrooney, CEO of the Western Development Commission, said: 

“The West and Northwest of Ireland are going through an incredibly exciting period, with innovation and community spirit driving real progress. We want people here in London, whether they are originally from the region or simply curious about what is happening there, to feel welcome and included. This event will create a relaxed, open space where people can meet, exchange ideas, learn about emerging opportunities and enjoy a flavour of home. Whether someone is thinking about returning, investing, collaborating or just reconnecting, we are looking forward to meeting them.” 

Throughout the evening, guests will hear the stories of the people, places and organisations shaping the development of the West and Northwest today, from founders driving innovation to community based enterprises breathing new life into local areas. The event is designed for anyone interested in connecting with the individuals behind this progress and exploring what the region has to offer through their experiences, insights and ambitions. 

Plug into the West marks the beginning of a new London based series aimed at strengthening long term connections, supporting collaboration and celebrating the people and ideas shaping the region’s future. 

Register: Plug into the West Tickets, Wednesday, May 13 from 6:30 pm to 9 pm | Eventbrite 

The WDC has been announced as a Silver Sponsor for the upcoming PorterShed Spark conference, taking place in Galway.

Galway will host a national gathering of global technology leaders this April as PorterShed marks ten years of building an innovation ecosystem in the West with the launch of PorterShed Spark, an invite-only one-day summit at Dexcom Stadium on 23 April 2026. Spark will bring together international venture capital, European AI infrastructure leadership and the head of Ireland’s state enterprise agency alongside founders, operators and policymakers for a future-focused conversation on what comes next for technology, entrepreneurship and innovation beyond capital cities.

Emphasising the importance of  partnership in driving growth across the West and North West, WDC CEO Allan Mulrooney said:

“At the Western Development Commission, our role is to support economic and social development across the West and North West of Ireland by backing entrepreneurs, supporting communities and helping new ideas become real opportunities. For the past ten years, PorterShed has been a key partner in that journey, a place where founders connect, challenge ideas and build companies with the potential to scale from the West to global markets. Through initiatives like the Western Investment Fund and the Connected Hubs network, we have seen first-hand the impact of strong collaboration and vibrant innovation spaces. Our new strategy places partnership at the centre of everything we do, because regions succeed when organisations work together”.

“We are delighted to support the PorterShed Spark Ten Year Event and congratulate the team on this milestone. What has been built here matters not just for Galway, but for the wider region, and we look forward to continuing this journey together over the next decade.”

Galway became a meeting point of story, technology and regional ambition as the N-LITE Final Symposium drew international partners to the Mick Lally Theatre for a day-long exploration of how places can be experienced, and reimagined, through narrative.

Hosted by the Western Development Commission, the symposium brought together speakers from across Ireland, Finland, Norway, Sweden and the Faroe Islands, with a strong focus on how literary tourism is evolving beyond traditional formats into immersive, digital and performance-led experiences.

Opening proceedings, WDC CEO Allan Mulrooney set the tone by grounding the conversation in the West of Ireland’s deep storytelling tradition, from the role of the seanchaí to the global influence of Irish writers and performers. Referencing the venue itself, he noted its place in Galway’s creative history and the enduring importance of story as both cultural expression and economic driver.

“Projects like N-LITE show how technology can help reconnect people with history, culture and community in meaningful ways,” he said, adding that regional development bodies must act as “custodians of place” while embracing innovation.

The Western Development Commission (WDC) has won the Best Collaboration Award at the 2026 Spider Awards, recognising the success of the TG4 television series Moving West, produced in partnership with TG4, Dundara Productions and supported by the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht.

The award was presented at the 2026 Spider Awards ceremony at the Mansion House in Dublin, Ireland’s longest running digital awards programme recognising excellence in digital media, technology and online innovation.

Now entering its fourth season, currently in final production, Moving West has become one of the most distinctive storytelling platforms highlighting life, enterprise and opportunity across the West of Ireland. Season four will air on TG4 later this year, with a broadcast date to be announced shortly.

The award recognises the strength of collaboration behind the series, bringing together public bodies, broadcasters, production partners and communities across the region to tell authentic stories about people choosing to live, work and build businesses in the West.

In addition to TG4, Dundara Productions and the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, local authorities across the Western Region played an important role in supporting the production of Season 3, working with the Western Development Commission to enable the continuation of the programme and the stories it brings to national audiences.

The series follows individuals, families and entrepreneurs who have chosen to relocate to the West, capturing stories of indigenous Irish startups, small business owners, remote workers connected to global companies, and professionals linked to foreign direct investment who have built their lives and careers in the region.

Many of these stories are identified through the Western Development Commission’s work across communities and businesses throughout the region, where the organisation engages directly with local enterprises, entrepreneurs and community leaders in towns and villages across the seven county region.

Each season, the production team from Dundara Productions travels the length and breadth of the WDC region from Donegal to Clare over a three month filming period, working alongside presenter Mary Kennedy to capture these stories on location.

A key feature of the programme is its use of the Irish language, with Moving West successfully bringing stories of enterprise, innovation and regional development to Irish language audiences across the country.

The programme reflects the diversity of the Western Development Commission region, which spans seven counties along Ireland’s Atlantic seaboard and includes thousands of businesses, entrepreneurs and communities contributing to the region’s growing economic and cultural landscape.

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The Western Development Commission (WDC) today announced a free public event in Galway on Wednesday 25 March 2026 at the Mick Lally Theatre, bringing together Irish and international partners to share new ideas on literary tourism, digital storytelling and immersive visitor experiences. Registration is now open.

The event marks the culmination of N-LITE, a transnational project connecting the creative industries and tourism sectors across Ireland, Finland, Norway, Sweden and the Faroe Islands, funded through the Interreg Northern Periphery and Arctic (NPA) Programme. It will bring together partners, policymakers, tourism leaders, creative practitioners and youth innovators to share results and help shape what comes next for place-based literary tourism, including how rural and coastal communities can benefit from new visitor experiences built around story, culture and creativity.

Ian Brannigan, Head of Regional Development of the Western Development Commission, said: “Our strategy is focused on unlocking the potential of the Western Region by building partnerships, backing innovation, and harnessing the strengths of our culture and creativity. N-LITE shows how stories and place can be developed into visitor experiences that support local economies, strengthen communities, and create new opportunities for the next generation. This final event is where we share what has worked across five regions and build the next phase together.”

Over its lifetime, N-LITE has explored how rural and peripheral regions can transform local stories, literature and cultural identity into compelling visitor experiences, both physical and digital. The Galway event will present cross-regional learning from the five participating countries, with youth-led creative work developed across partner regions and international case studies in literary and cultural tourism. It will also focus on practical approaches to developing sustainable, year-round visitor experiences that support local economies, with discussion on how young creatives can be meaningfully involved in shaping the visitor offer, including links to the night-time economy.

A strong digital and immersive strand will run through the day, featuring interactive XR experiences and games developed through the N-LITE Tale Smiths work, live demonstrations of the Tale Smiths extended reality platform, and partner showcases of literary tourism pilots and emerging products, alongside examples of digital storytelling and social media-led place narratives.

The announcement coincides with the release of the third film in Galway Voices: Stories from the Edge, one of N-LITE’s flagship Irish initiatives. The youth-led digital series presents fictionalised portraits inspired by the lived experiences of artists and cultural workers in Galway’s Westend. Produced by Hysteria Productions and directed and edited by Bit Dramatic Films, the series forms part of a Video Portrait Trail across the Westend, enabling audiences to experience the stories in place via QR codes at participating venues. The initiative is delivered with support from Galway’s Westend Traders and Galway City Council.

Attendance at the event is free, but registration is essential. Registration is available via Eventbrite

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