Hundreds of delegates to descend on West Cork for National Digital Week
Around 1,600 entrepreneurs and technology enthusiasts are expected to attend Ireland’s second National Digital Week.
The event, which takes place in Skibbereen, Co Cork from November 10 – 12 , is the only event of its kind in a non-urban area in Ireland, organisers say.
National Digital Week aims to develop entrepreneurship by making digital accessible for all, catering for everyone with an interest in the future of digital technology.
The event has been organised by the Ludgate Digital Hub, Ireland’s first rural digital hub to receive 1GB connectivity provided by Vodafone as the town is connected to SIRO’s 100% fibre-optic broadband network.
“Following last year’s successful inaugural event which saw in excess of €2m generated for the local West Cork economy, we are delighted to be rolling this exciting event out for a second year,” said co-organiser Callum Donnelly.
“It is great that Skibbereen is taking such a leadership position in the transformation of rural Ireland into a 1 gigabit society.
“In rural Ireland we have so many talented people of all ages. However, talent often leaves our communities. National Digital Week is about rebranding rural Ireland as a location in which people can stay by choice to establish businesses, that can scale, employ skilled employees, and compete at a global level, that is the beauty of digital.
National Digital Week 2016 is attracting National Digital Week 2016 will be held across two stages, the AIB arena and the Google stage.
“Geography is no longer a restricting factor as long as Ireland continues investing in future proofing broadband connectivity.”
Over 80 speakers will be attending, including Ben Verwaayen, Former CEO of Alcatel-Lucent & Founding Partner of Keen Venture; Mark MacGann, Senior Board Advisor, Uber; David Puttnam, Ireland’s Digital Champion & Oscar Winning Film Producer; Gráinne McCarthy, London Bureau Chief, Wall Street Journal; and Ronan Harris, VP of Sales Google EMEA & Head of Google Ireland.
Day 1 of the event local students will also get the opportunity to speak and showcase their coding skills which includes a virtual reality tour of Skibbereen created in Minecraft.
The event is supported by partners AIB, Vodafone and Google.
