Dargan Forum 2025 to address Ireland’s green and digital future - Think Business
Two-day event taking place 2 and 3 July in Dún Laoghaire aims to navigate the green and digital transition in a way that benefits all citizens.
Thanks to Think Business for their coverage:
PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Dargan Forum 2025 brings leaders together to address key challenges for Ireland’s green and digital future
Dún Laoghaire, Co. Dublin - 19 May 2025 - As Ireland faces critical decisions on climate action, technological change, and an uncertain global economy Dargan Forum 2025 brings together national and international experts for high-impact dialogue and action. Taking place 2–3 July in Dún Laoghaire, the Dargan Forum brings together national and international thought leaders, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and community innovators to tackle one of Ireland’s most urgent challenges: navigating the Green and Digital Transition in a way that benefits everyone.
In the wake of accelerating technological change, climate imperatives, and a shifting global economy the Dargan Forum 2025 provides a vital space for dialogue, inspiration, and solutions. With 55 expert speakers addressing themes ranging from digital skills and AI to retrofitting, sustainable transport, entrepreneurship and the future of civic spaces, this year’s forum is for everyone - whether you’re a business leader, public servant, student, or simply an engaged citizen.
Taking place across 2-days in July across venues in Dún Laoghaire town and featuring 11 events, the Dargan Forum aims to bridge the gap between Ireland’s policy ambitions and the practical tools, skills, and community engagement needed to deliver a just, green, and digital future for all.
Headline speaker: Adam Dorr of RethinkX
The forum’s headline speaker is Adam Dorr, Director of Research at US thinktank RethinkX, who has gained global recognition for his ground-breaking work exploring how innovations in energy, transport, food, and AI are rapidly reshaping economies and societies faster than policymakers are prepared for. In his keynote address, Adam will challenge Irish audiences to reimagine the pace and direction of change across three themes, business, infrastructure/energy/transport and the future of work. He will highlight the potential for localities to become the community glue that makes a successful transition possible.
Other speakers will include Minister Carroll MacNeill T.D., CEO of Enterprise Nation, David Curtain, CEO .ie, Sean Buckley, Bank of Ireland Area Director, Frank Curran, CEO DLR County Council and senior representatives from RWE, Iárnrod Eireann and Connected Hubs. Supporters of the Forum include Enterprise Nation, .ie, DLR County Council, Bank of Ireland, Connected Hubs and RWE.
Three Pillars for National Renewal
The Dargan Forum will focus on 3 major themes designed to provoke big-picture thinking and action:
Business, AI and the 2040 Opportunity – A forward-looking discussion on how Irish businesses, especially SMEs, can thrive in an AI-driven world.
The Twin Transition in the Built Environment, Energy and Transport – A close look at how climate targets and digital innovation are reshaping housing, energy, and infrastructure.
Skills and the Future of Work – Exploring how AI, automation, and lifelong learning are transforming the workplace and what Ireland must do to stay ahead.
These sessions will draw together government leaders, startup founders, educators, and global experts, aiming to bridge Ireland’s policy ambitions with the practical tools and innovations needed to deliver them.
11 events across 2 days: A forum for all
This year’s programme includes 11 events spread across Dún Laoghaire town, each designed to appeal to different interests and sectors all around Ireland’s Green and Digital Transition. Highlights include:
Smarter Business: Lessons from Experience - In association Bank of Ireland this event at 8.30am on 2nd July, is ideal for small businesses, tech businesses and mentors/consultants working with small businesses.
Why Choose Mayo and Why Choose Donegal – These events are ideal for people considering their next career or business move, parents with expanding families looking for a better quality of life or people with family connections to Mayo or Donegal that are interested in returning to their hometown.
Parallel Sessions – A series of in-depth sessions will focus on business, technology, sustainable energy, transport, and smart solutions.
Business Networking - This year’s programme of events will end with a garden party in the Dun Laoghaire Club’s extensive garden.
Joanne Mangan, Ireland Country Manager of small business support platform and community Enterprise Nation, said: “Helping local small business communities to understand the immense benefits that adopting digital technology can bring, is a win-win situation.
“A technology-enabled, thriving local small business community creates real jobs, better and more sustainable businesses, and more innovation – all of which contribute to a healthy local economy. Our Tech Hub initiative is backed by experts and global technology partners who all understand that failing to tackle digital performance now is storing up problems for decades to come. It also tallies perfectly with the government's own ambition and its Charter for Digital Inclusion. That’s also why we are delighted to be partnering with Dargan Forum again this year, working together to ensure Irish small businesses don't get left behind in the digital transformation race.”
“We’re proud to support the Dargan Forum as it empowers Irish communities to take ownership of their digital and green futures. By bringing together local leaders, innovators, and changemakers, the Forum plays a vital role in driving inclusive, sustainable transformation. This aligns closely with our mission to ensure that digitalisation and climate action go hand-in-hand in building resilient, future-ready communities across Ireland.” said Seán Tobin, Digital Development Executive at .ie.
Full details of the programme of events, and registration, are located here - https://www.darganinstitute.ie/dargan-forum-2025-programme
ENDS
Media Contact:
Eoin Costello
Dargan Institute
eoin@darganinstitute.ie
