Answer - 3 months in the work of the Dargan Institute, Dun Laoghaire! From the technical masterclasses of UK AI Week in October to the policy corridors of the Dáil in November, and from the grassroots regeneration of Ballinrobe to the high-level strategy sessions of the European Digital SME Alliance in Brussels in December, a unified theme is clear from our mission at the Dargan Institute, a theme of empowerment, of “Doing What you Can With What You’ve Got!”.

Ireland’s 226,900 micro-businesses make up 92.6% of all enterprises and are the backbone of our towns. Yet they’re under-served and face rising insolvencies just as AI disruption looms. Without urgent action, global tech giants will capture value at the expense of local jobs. The Dargan Institute calls for two shifts: incentivising collaborative grants so micro-businesses can adopt AI together, and empowering Ireland’s 400+ Connected Hubs to deliver AI digitalisation locally. Micro-businesses must be central to Ireland’s digital future.

The flagship Dargan Forum event brought together local government leaders, policymakers, innovators, and business figures from across Ireland and beyond to discuss how our communities, systems and local economies must adapt to the dual challenges of digital transformation and climate action. With four compelling sessions and a wide array of voices, the event was a showcase for inclusive progress—locally rooted, globally aware.

In an energetic and solution-focused discussion, Dargan Forum Events 4 and 5 merged into a single panel session that underscored the collaborative power of Ireland’s regional innovation ecosystem. Hosted by Sean Tobin of .ie, the session brought together five trailblazers who are advancing digital and green transition efforts from Mayo to Inishowen.

The Dargan Forum's third event concluded with an insightful and inspiring official reception, marked by warm addresses and a shared vision for collaboration across local government, European partners, and the wider community. The evening brought together dignitaries and guests at the heart of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown, reaffirming the region's commitment to innovation, inclusivity, and international cooperation.