Event 4 & 5 - Innovation Without Borders: Highlights from the Why Choose Mayo - Why Choose Donegal event 2025
Terence O’Donnell Auxilion, Sean Tobin .ie, Nicola Kennedy Mayo LEO, Anne Marie McLaughlin ii inishowen innovation, Kevin Sexton Alpha Innovation
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.
Panelists:
Nicola Kennedy, Mayo LEO
Stephen Carolan, Connected Hubs
Kevin Sexton, Alpha Innovation
Anne Marie McLaughlin, ii Inishowen Innovation
Terence O’Donnell, Auxilion
Key Themes & Insights:
🌱 Place-Based Innovation as a Catalyst
Nicola Kennedy of Mayo LEO spoke to the vital role of Local Enterprise Offices in nurturing ambition within rural and regional communities. She emphasized that the biggest barrier isn’t talent—it’s belief.
“If we don’t back our own potential locally, who will? We’re not short of ideas—we’re short of confidence sometimes, and the right scaffolding to scale.”
🧠 Connected Thinking for Connected Hubs
Stephen Carolan highlighted the transformative momentum behind the national Connected Hubs network, now reaching well beyond traditional co-working models. He positioned hubs not just as places to work, but as platforms for convergence—bringing together enterprise, education, and public services.
“The magic happens not just in the desks or the WiFi, but in the interactions. Hubs are becoming civic infrastructure for innovation.”
🔄 From Knowledge to Commercialisation
Kevin Sexton from Alpha Innovation offered a pragmatic lens on how academic and public-sector knowledge can be rapidly transferred into real-world commercial outcomes. He stressed the importance of “low-friction” engagement between academia, startups, and investors.
“We have the ingredients. What we need is a kitchen where everyone can cook—fast.”
🌍 Peripheral Doesn’t Mean Passive
Anne Marie McLaughlin of ii Inishowen Innovation shattered the notion that border regions are “remote” in terms of innovation. On the contrary, she made a compelling case that places like Inishowen are proving grounds for inclusive innovation models that reflect real-world challenges.
“We can’t copy-paste Dublin. Our models must grow from our geography, our people, and our needs. And when they work—they scale beautifully.”
💼 Private Sector’s Role in the Twin Transition
Terence O’Donnell from Auxilion brought a private sector voice to the panel, underlining how firms like his are not waiting for change—they’re co-creating it. He pointed to flexible work, IT upskilling, and regional presence as key levers for balanced economic development.
“There’s no going back to ‘normal.’ The question is whether we’re shaping what’s next—or reacting to it.”
🤝 A Shared Commitment
Across the panel, there was unanimous agreement that the green and digital transitions must be built on people, not just policies or platforms. From micro-enterprises to multinationals, and from Donegal to Dublin, Ireland’s innovation story is being written collaboratively—region by region.
As host Sean Tobin summed it up:
“The Dargan Forum is where insight meets action—and this panel showed us that the future is not just something to prepare for, it’s something we’re building right now.”
