Two-day event in Dún Laoghaire brought together 84 speakers from government, business and academia to explore how technology, sustainability and regional development can drive economic growth.
More than 550 delegates from 57 organisations gathered in Dún Laoghaire recently for the Dargan Forum 2026, a two-day event that brought together policymakers, business leaders, local authorities, academics and industry experts to examine how Ireland can deliver its green and digital transition while supporting communities and businesses across the country.
Hosted in partnership with Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council and a range of public and private sector organisations, the forum featured 11 events and 84 speakers covering topics such as regional development, artificial intelligence, active travel, tourism, heritage, offshore wind and the future of public services.
“Thanks to my home town of Dun Laoghaire and to Bank of Ireland that made this all possible”
The event opened with an official reception attended by Cathaoirleach Barry Saul, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council Chief Executive Frank Curran and Moroccan Ambassador to Ireland Dr Lahcen Mahraoui. The programme then moved through a series of sessions focused on practical approaches to sustainable growth and technological innovation.
Sustainability, resilience and prosperity 
From left to right: Chad Gilmer, iPLANiT; Annalise Murphy, SportsKey; Cathaoirleach Barry Saul, DLR County Council; and Eoin Costello, Executive Director, Dargan Institute
Delegates heard from senior representatives of organisations including Bank of Ireland, Microsoft, Tesco Ireland, Amgen, RWE Dublin Array, Iarnród Éireann, Fáilte Ireland, Enterprise Ireland, the National Transport Authority and the Western Development Commission.
Feedback from attendees reflected the strength of the programme and the calibre of speakers.
Fintan McGrogan, Head of County DLR & Wicklow at Bank of Ireland, said: “It was really well attended and the speakers were top drawer. Definitely the best I’ve attended. Really well done!”
Roisin Hanley, Conservation Architect with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, said: “It is the first time I have attended an event by the Dargan Institute. I would have to say I was very impressed. It was a pleasure listening to everyone last night.”
Aravindh Krishnan Ramesh of Vyom added: “It was great to attend the forum last evening and this morning. Lot of inspiring stories and great take aways. Kudos to you and your team.”
The forum’s flagship Main Event focused on sustainability, resilience and prosperity. Speakers explored how technology is supporting economic development, public services, healthcare, transport and renewable energy, with an emphasis on delivering tangible outcomes for regions and communities.
A recurring theme throughout the discussions was the challenge of ensuring that all parts of Ireland benefit from the country’s digital transformation. Sessions on regional development examined broadband infrastructure, remote-working hubs, town-centre regeneration and workforce skills, with speakers sharing practical lessons from projects already in operation around the country.
Artificial intelligence also featured prominently. Theresa Cloonan, Head of Information Systems at Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, outlined how AI and data analytics are being applied within local government to support public consultation processes and improve service delivery. A dedicated session explored responsible AI adoption across public services, including issues around governance, trust, skills and procurement.
Renewable energy and the marine economy were key topics during discussions on offshore wind and coastal economic development. Delegates heard how projects such as Dublin Array could play a significant role in Ireland’s renewable energy ambitions while supporting employment, supply-chain growth and long-term investment in coastal communities.
Other sessions explored active travel and mobility hubs, urban regeneration, heritage-led tourism and the role of digital technologies in supporting community development and economic resilience.
Participants travelled from across Ireland, representing local authorities, national agencies, enterprise organisations, educational institutions and private-sector businesses. Events took place across three venues in Dún Laoghaire: Harbour Commissioner House, the Royal Marine Hotel and the Carnegie Library.
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council played a central role throughout the programme, with senior officials leading discussions on planning, infrastructure, climate action, innovation and economic development.
The forum concluded with a garden party hosted in partnership with DLR Chamber and the Dún Laoghaire Business Association, providing attendees with an opportunity to continue conversations and strengthen professional relationships forged during the two-day event.
Organisers said the forum demonstrated the value of bringing together practitioners, policymakers and industry leaders to share ideas, showcase practical solutions and build partnerships that can help advance Ireland’s green and digital transition in the years ahead.
This year’s forum was also the final year for its founding organiser Eoin Costello, bringing his 10 years of work for the Dargan Institute, Dargan Hub and the Dargan Forum to a close.
Speaking with ThinkBusiness after the event, Costello said: “Our Board member Gerard Corcoran brought the main morning sessions to a close by highlighting the significant work of:
- “Our Dargan Institute clg, Dún Laoghaire – which managed Digital Dun Laoghaire, DunLaoghaireTown.ie, Dun Laoghaire Chronicle and the Love Dun Laoghaire promotional campaigns for local small businesses.
- “Our Dargan Hub – home to nine small digital businesses, and
- “Our Dargan Forum – over the four years that the Dargan Forum ran there were approximately 245 speakers and 1,200+ attendees.
“Thanks to my home town of Dun Laoghaire and to Bank of Ireland that made this all possible!”
-
Bank of Ireland is welcoming new customers every day – funding investments, working capital and expansions across multiple sectors. To learn more, click here
-
For support in challenging times, click here
-
Listen to the ThinkBusiness Podcast for business insights and inspiration. All episodes are here. You can also listen to the Podcast on:
-
Spotify
-
SoundCloud
-
Apple
