In this episode of Untangling Web3, we sit down with Lory Kehoe, one of the key figures behind Blockchain Ireland, to explore how a country can successfully build a thriving blockchain ecosystem.

From his roots at Deloitte to orchestrating national strategies and conferences, Lory shares his firsthand insights into how Ireland became a leading hub for blockchain businesses, companies, and innovation. This episode is a masterclass in ecosystem building, long-term thinking, and collaborative leadership in the Web3 space.

Key highlights:

• Building Blockchain Ireland from the Ground Up: Lory shares the origin story of Blockchain Ireland, which began with a simple meetup and evolved into a comprehensive, multi-stakeholder ecosystem connecting startups, corporates, academia, VCs, and government. He highlights how Ireland’s unique strengths, like foreign direct investment and a mature regulatory framework, were leveraged to position the country as a blockchain innovation leader.
• What Makes a Successful Ecosystem: The episode dives deep into what the word "ecosystem" really means—far beyond social media followers or dApp counts. Lory defines ecosystems as delicate yet powerful networks made up of distinct but interdependent actors. Ireland’s success lies in its ability to recognize its unique assets and tailor its ecosystem development to suit those strengths, rather than mimicking other countries blindly.
• Challenges, Milestones, and Resilience in Blockchain Innovation: Lory explains how setbacks often cause public trust to regress, but resilience keeps the ecosystem alive. He shares major wins such as publishing Ireland’s national blockchain strategy, hosting the sixth annual Blockchain Ireland Summit, and bringing together international voices like El Salvador’s digital asset regulator. He also emphasizes the importance of education and real-world use cases—particularly stablecoins—to bridge the gap between technical innovation and public understanding.

Ireland’s blockchain story proves that building a lasting ecosystem requires more than hype—it demands leadership, collaboration, patience, and long-term vision. From government engagement to industry meetups and education, Blockchain Ireland has laid a blueprint for how other nations and companies can approach ecosystem growth.

Whether you're a policymaker, founder, or curious listener, this episode offers essential lessons in how blockchain can be rooted in the real world. Join us next time as we continue untangling the dynamic, decentralized future of Web3.

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Learn more about Blockchain Ireland here:

https://www.blockchainireland.ie/

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This episode is sponsored by the VeChain foundation. Learn more about VeBetterDAO here:

https://vebetterdao.org/

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Learn more about Web3 at:

https://untanglingweb3.com/

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Untangling Web3 is brought to you by hosts Jack Davies and Alec Burns, with music by Daniel Paigge. Got a question or topic suggestion? Send us an email at [email protected].

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The views we express here are our own, and do not represent the views of our employers. Nothing discussed or stated in the show should be considered advice.