Dargan Forum 2026: Turning Ireland’s Green and Digital Transition into Action

Ireland’s Green and Digital Transition, Dargan Forum

Artificial intelligence, regional development, digital trust, tourism, offshore energy and public service innovation may seem like very different topics. Yet all will feature at Dargan Forum 2026, which takes place in Dún Laoghaire on 24 and 25 June.

“At a time when the pace of change is accelerating and the future is increasingly uncertain, the Dargan Forum provides a focal point,” says Eoin Costello, Executive Director of the Dargan Institute.

That practical focus runs throughout the programme. From the use of AI to analyse public consultation submissions to discussions on Connected Hubs, digital communities, tourism innovation and offshore renewable energy, the emphasis is on sharing examples of what is already working and what lessons can be applied elsewhere.

Attendance is free, with participants able to register for individual sessions or attend multiple events across the two-day programme.

See the Dargan Institute website: https://www.darganinstitute.ie

Main event and programme information:

https://www.darganinstitute.ie/#dargan-forum-main-event

Why the Dargan Forum Matters

The Dargan Forum brings together people working on many of the issues currently shaping Ireland’s future. Across the two days, discussions will cover topics ranging from artificial intelligence and digital trust to regional development, tourism, offshore energy and public service innovation.

The value of the Forum lies in hearing directly from people delivering projects and programmes rather than simply discussing ideas. Businesses, sole traders and community organisations can hear what’s working in the delivery of Ireland’s green and digital transition.

Sustainability, Resilience and Prosperity

The main event on Thursday morning is organised around three themes: Sustainability, Resilience and Prosperity. Speakers include Olympian Annalise Murphy, Lorraine Heskin of Gourmet Food Parlour, Frank Curran of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, Professor Martin Curley of Maynooth University, June Butler of Bank of Ireland, Maurice Murphy of Amgen, Vanessa O’Connell of RWE Dublin Array, Michael Power of Iarnród Éireann and Theresa Cloonan of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown Council.

Together they will explore how organisations are responding to technological, environmental and economic change, and what those changes mean for communities, businesses and public services.

Artificial Intelligence in Action

Artificial intelligence is a recurring theme throughout the Forum. One example comes from Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown Council, which is working with Microsoft on an AI-enabled consultation process designed to help analyse large volumes of public submissions. A recent active travel consultation generated around 5,000 responses, creating a significant administrative burden for council staff.

The new approach aims to automate the analysis and categorisation of submissions, allowing specialists to spend more time on assessment, engagement and decision-making.

The topic will be explored further during the AI and Innovation session hosted by Theresa Cloonan, Head of Information Systems at Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown Council, who will be joined by public sector and technology leaders to discuss how innovation can improve services for citizens.

Connected Communities

Ireland’s Connected Hubs network has become one of the most visible examples of regional digital development in recent years. The network now includes more than 400 hubs across the country, providing remote working, co-working and enterprise facilities in towns and villages nationwide.

The Connected Communities session, hosted by Seán Tobin of .ie, will examine digital trust, online identity, digital inclusion and the role technology can play in supporting communities and SMEs. The discussion brings together enterprise, education and community development perspectives at a time when trust and credibility online have become increasingly important for organisations of all sizes.

The Forum seeks to bring together people working across different sectors but often facing similar challenges, creating opportunities to learn from one another’s experiences and approaches.

Regional Development in Practice

Regional development is another major theme running through the Forum.

Seán Tobin will also host the Playbook for Regional Development session, bringing together practitioners involved in enterprise, innovation, skills development and community regeneration. The emphasis is on sharing lessons from projects already underway rather than discussing policy in isolation.

The session reflects one of the Forum’s central ideas: that many of the challenges facing towns, communities and businesses are interconnected and benefit from collaboration across sectors.

Tourism, Heritage and Technology

One of the more distinctive sessions in this year’s programme asks whether tourism, heritage and technology could combine to create Ireland’s next major growth opportunity.

Hosted by Eoin Costello, the discussion will explore how digital tools, skills development and innovation can help heritage attractions, tourism providers and hospitality businesses improve visitor experiences and competitiveness.

The session will consider how technology can help indigenous businesses capture new opportunities while showcasing Ireland’s cultural and heritage assets.

Respecting the Past, Embracing the Future

The relationship between heritage, regeneration and sustainable development will be explored further during “The Value of Urbanism – Respecting the Past, Embracing the Future”.

Hosted by Andrée Dargan, County Architect with Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown Council, the session will bring together architects, planners, regeneration specialists and community development practitioners to examine how towns and communities can evolve while retaining their unique character and heritage.

The discussion reflects growing interest in the role that good design, heritage-led regeneration and sustainable planning can play in creating attractive and resilient places to live, work and visit.

Marine Innovation and the Blue Economy

Hosted by Paul Kennedy, Director of Planning, Economic Development, at Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown Council, this session will examine opportunities arising from offshore renewable energy, marine innovation and coastal development.

Speakers will discuss how projects such as RWE Dublin Array, together with research institutions, local authorities and industry partners, are helping create new opportunities around Ireland’s coast.

The discussion reflects growing interest in how offshore energy, marine research and coastal communities can contribute to Ireland’s future economic development.

Learning What Works?

Whether the interest is AI in public services, regional development, digital trust, tourism innovation or offshore energy, the Forum offers an opportunity to hear directly from people working on these challenges across Ireland.

Earlier this year in Irish Tech News, Eoin Costello and John O’Shanahan discussed the opportunities and challenges surrounding AI adoption. Many of the themes raised in that conversation will feature throughout this year’s programme. For earlier article read AI adoption by Irish SMEs .

The Dargan Forum is run in association with Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown Council and supported by Bank of Ireland, Connected Hubs, .ie, RWE Dublin Array, Iarnród Éireann, Dún Laoghaire Business Association, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown Chamber of Commerce and Whelehan Wines.

About Billy Linehan

Billy Linehan is a freelance writer covering innovation, tech for good and entrepreneurship, and a regular contributor to Irish Tech News. He leads Celtar Advisers, working as a business mentor with SME and startup founders, and co-founded StartUp Ballymun, Dublin’s longest-running entrepreneurship series.

See more breaking stories here.