Following a series of strategic acquisitions, the Markerstudy Insurance Group faced key challenges of modernising and integrating multiple technology systems, while improving the sustainability of its digital infrastructure.

By deploying the energy efficient and end-to-end EcoStruxure Data Centre Solutions, Markerstudy has opted for world-leading resilience of its Data Centres. This deployment has allowed better control over its critical IT and network environments, helping it to monitor and manage them for better efficiency, and to lower the emissions associated with data processing and storage.

Schneider Electric, the leader in digital transformation of energy management and automation, has worked with its EcoXpert Partners, on365, to deliver a series of data centre and critical power projects to Markerstudy Group - one of the fastest growing providers of general insurance services for more than eight million customers across the UK. Working together with on365, a provider of resilient and energy efficient critical physical infrastructure

and utility services, Schneider Electric and its longstanding EcoXpert Partners devised an upgrade and consolidation strategy for Markerstudy's electrical infrastructure, data centres and networking systems. Equal consideration was given to the need for increased reliability, security, and energy efficiency, while helping the organisation to better manage and scale its distributed systems.

As part of the strategy, the Group chose to standardise on key components from Schneider Electric's EcoStruxure for Data Centres portfolio, including its Galaxy V-series three phase UPS's and APC Smart-UPS RT single phase UPS, EcoStruxure Row Data Center solution, InRow DX cooling units and Chilled Water systems, APC Racks and PDUs and EcoStruxure IT Expert DCIM software. Additionally, on365 secured a strategic five-year, Managed Service Level Agreement (SLA) to manage and maintain all critical power and cooling infrastructure on behalf of the insurance group - helping not only to improve the efficiency and resiliency of its systems, but to reduce its carbon emissions.

Sustainable Expansion for Schneider Electric

Markerstudy Group was founded in 2001 and today serves over eight million customers, employing more than 7,000 people across 40 brands. In 2020 it acquired Co-op Insurance's underwriting business, followed by BGL Insurance and Lloyd's broker Clegg Gifford in 2021, and Atlanta Insurance in 2024. This expansion presented several technological challenges, which included integrating multiple technology systems, while managing a diverse portfolio of digital infrastructure, including several data centres and IT systems distributed across its offices and customer support centres. The Group is fiercely committed to sustainability, aiming to reduce the energy usage and carbon emissions across its operations. To address these goals and stay updated on new technological advancements, it continues to collaborate with on365 and Schneider Electric, while working with Net Zero consultancy Energise, and mapping its operations to the Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHG), which

earned it a Bronze sustainability rating from EcoVadis.

Modernisation Strategy

Markerstudy's strategy to standardise on Schneider Electric technologies, and to modernise its infrastructure portfolio began in 2012, when it first commissioned on365 to design and build a data centre at its Chesterfield contact centre. The data centre utilised Schneider Electric's EcoStruxure Row Data Centre solution, together with InRow DX cooling units to maximise energy efficiency, and minimise the threat of downtime from thermal shutdowns.

During 2023, on365 implemented a new main substation Transformer and Primary Switchboard to replace 30-year-old, legacy electrical equipment. Designed using IoT-enabled components for ease of monitoring and management, the new system has future-proofed Markerstudy for the integration of renewable energy at its offices, while ...

eir has launched the country's first WiFi 7 system, setting a new benchmark for broadband speed, coverage, and reliability. With eir's WiFi 7-powered Wide-Fi, weak spots and dead zones are a thing of the past, providing ultra-fast, reliable connectivity throughout the home.

This advanced WiFi 7 mesh system ensures seamless device performance and whole-home coverage. Offering speeds up to twice as fast as WiFi 6 and the ability to support up to 200 devices simultaneously, this state-of-the-art system transforms home broadband performance, delivering lightning-fast 2Gb speeds over eir's 100% fibre-to-the-home network.

This launch comes as eir reports an almost 40% year-on-year increase in fibre-to-the-home network usage, reflecting the growing demand for high-speed broadband. To meet this demand, eir is upgrading its network to offer 2Gb speeds over 100% fibre-to-the-home network, with 5Gb speeds coming in June.

With the launch of WiFi 7, eir is introducing Wide-Fi, an advanced solution that eliminates dead zones, delivering ultra-fast fibre broadband to every space in your home, ensuring fast, reliable connectivity in every room - from the attic to the garden. With new and upgrading customers on select plans able to access WiFi 7 for just €49.99 per month as a special introductory offer. As part of this upgrade, all customers who subscribe to the 2Gb broadband plan, along with WiFi 7 will be automatically upgraded to 5Gb at no additional cost, when the service becomes available in June.

Alongside the launch of WiFi 7, eir is elevating home entertainment with its brand-new Android-powered eir TV Box. Designed for an intuitive viewing experience, eir TV seamlessly integrates live channels, on-demand apps, and major streaming platforms like Netflix, Disney+, and Prime Video (included free with eir TV). Featuring Dolby Vision Atmos and built-in Chromecast, the service offers a premium, future-proofed entertainment experience for just €14.99 per month.

At today's launch event at eir's Dublin headquarters, CEO Oliver Loomes highlighted the growing demand for faster, more reliable broadband:

"In 2024, Fibre to the Home traffic surged by nearly 40%, underscoring the need for superior connectivity. WiFi 7 represents a pivotal milestone in eir's digital evolution. With a €1.7 billion investment in infrastructure, eir has delivered fibre network access to almost 1.4 million homes and businesses. As Ireland's first WiFi 7 home system, eir Wide-Fi sets a new standard for fast, reliable, and future-proof broadband."

Loomes also emphasised eir's ongoing commitment to digital infrastructure: "Our continued investment in fibre and mobile networks supports €172 billion in annual digital economic activity and helps position Ireland among the top five EU nations in the Digital Economy and Society Index. We're now expanding further with an additional €500 million to bring gigabit fibre to 1.9 million premises, covering 84% of the country."

Susan Brady, Managing Director of Consumer and Small Business at eir, said: "At eir, our purpose is to connect for a better Ireland. As the first, and only, provider to bring WiFi 7 to the country, we're not just leading the way, we're setting a new standard for home broadband. WiFi 7 delivers lightning-fast speeds, seamless multi-device support, and rock-solid reliability across the entire home - this is eir's longest-range WiFi yet. It's a game-changer in wireless technology, offering twice the speed of WiFi 6 with ultra-low latency and powerful tri-band technology, it delivers lightning-fast streaming, flawless gaming, and seamless remote working - all at the same time.

We're driving Ireland's digital transformation with ultra-fast 2Gb broadband speeds, setting the stage for an even faster future. With 5Gb speeds launching in June, early adopters who sign up for the WiFi 7 system today will be automatically upgraded to the new speeds.

And we're not stopping there - our next-generation eir TV service, powere...

The NPower project, a new initiative tackling the issue of nitrogen and phosphorous (N/P) excess, was launched on the 29th of January in Cartagena, Spain. NPower aims to efficiently recover N and P nutrients using circular management approaches across key target sectors (e.g., agriculture, aquaculture, forestry, water management, and industry) to re-balance N/P flows and limit the pollution of air, water, and soil to help restore degraded ecosystems.

Funded by the EU Horizon Europe programme, NPower is redefining how Europe manages nitrogen and phosphorus. While N and P are essential nutrients for agriculture and food production systems, nutrient accumulation in the environment can lead to severe issues such as soil degradation and biodiversity loss.

This will be achieved through the development of regional clusters in Spain, Belgium, Finland, and Ireland. Each cluster will contribute to local best practices and governance measures, ensuring the adaptability of solutions across Europe's diverse landscapes. Spain will act as a demonstration hub, implementing recovery technologies and advancing N/P management solutions, while Belgium, Finland, and Ireland will provide their bioeconomy expertise to assess the applicability of the solutions demonstrated and developed in Spain.

The NPower Irish cluster, which consists of partners from the Circular Bioeconomy Research Group (CircBio) at Munster Technological University, the BiOrbic Bioeconomy Research Centre at University College Dublin, and the Irish Bioeconomy Foundation (IBF) at the National Bioeconomy Campus, will serve as a knowledge hub with experience in bioeconomy-related activities such as nutrient recycling, biorefining, and bioenergy.

This represents an important opportunity to build on the progress that has been made in Ireland towards a nature-positive, climate-neutral, and innovative bioeconomy that strives to develop bio-based technologies and products that create more sustainable supply chains and waste streams, particularly across agri-food, forestry, and marine sectors.

Commenting on the initiative Miguel Ángel Suárez, NPower Project Co-Ordinator with CETENMA (Technology Centre for Energy and Environment, Spain): "Nitrogen and phosphorus are essential nutrients for agriculture, yet their mismanagement leads to significant environmental issues.

The EU-funded project NPower aims to rebalance these nutrient flows and reduce emissions by providing innovative solutions tailored to diverse regional challenges. Solutions, such as best practices and governance measures will be identified and co-created working in collaboration with key emitting sectors, as for instance agriculture, in four regional clusters in Spain, Ireland, Belgium and Finland, ensuring solutions are adaptable across Europe's diverse landscapes.

In this sense, Ireland offers crucial insights from an insular perspective, particularly for maritime environments. NPower has a duration of 4 years and €9.5 million budget, gathering 25 partners from 6 different European countries."

Clodagh Carr, Researcher and Network Manager with CircBio at MTU, added: "We are delighted to be part of the NPower consortium, and it has been great to officially meet with our project partners at the launch event in Cartagena, Spain to discuss the opportunities, challenges, and next steps in re-balancing nitrogen and phosphorous flows across Europe.

MTU will play a lead role in establishing NPower regional clusters and stakeholder networks, which will be crucial in the execution of activities throughout the project. We are also leading the Irish regional cluster and will work together with our Irish partners to contribute expertise on nutrient management and circular, bio-based practices. In turn, we will evaluate the transferability of NPower solutions to our local communities in Ireland".

Eoin Syron, Lecturer and Investigator with BiOrbic at UCD, added:

"Nutrient management is a topical issue in Ireland at the moment, with the...

When students from four secondary schools in Co. Clare attended a recent lunch hosted by Shannon Chamber in Dromoland Castle Hotel, not only were they treated to sumptuous food, but they were left in little doubt that aviation is a career worth considering.

With the executive chairman of Emerald Airlines and Dublin Aerospace, Conor McCarthy, as keynote speaker, and the general counsel of High Ridge Aviation, John Ludden, posing the questions, the discourse was enlightening not just for the students but also for the 170 people who attended the event, representative of the many different segments of aviation and business. This luncheon event was supported by High Ridge Aviation along with International Aerospace Coatings (IAC) and Eirtech Aviation Services.

In a fast-paced interview, McCarthy responded to questions on a wide range of topics such as the traits needed to be a successful aviation entrepreneur; the successes, challenges and mistakes he has faced in his career to date; the key attributes that have enabled his success in the many business ventures he has been associated with; his future plans for Emerald Airlines and Dublin Aerospace; sustainable aviation fuel and the industry's carbon reduction commitments and; what aviation might look like in one hundred years.

Upfront in his responses to each question, he described aviation as one of the most exciting industries in the world, requiring dedication, faith, and trust and, while there may be many challenges, it's a sector that offers enormous potential to anyone with a passion and interest in it.

Focusing on challenges and successes, he cautioned attendees to be careful of early success which can often lead to overconfidence, over expansion… the main reason for airline failures.

Noting the importance of choosing the right partners for your business, McCarthy added "Make sure they fit your business culture as moving in the wrong direction culturally can destroy a business from the inside."

Commenting on his future plans and whether Shannon features in those plans, he described Shannon as an amazing airport that has achieved so much, not just in terms of the airport but in the cluster of aviation businesses now operating from Shannon.

Comparing Shannon to other regions of similar size in Europe, such as Pescara or Perpignan, or large city airports such as Hamburg and Birmingham, neither of which have one year around transatlantic flight, he said that Shannon, despite having three competitor airports within a 90-minute drive of its catchment, stands out as a huge success.

Responding to a question on the cap on passengers at Dublin Airport and the ability of Shannon and Cork airports to absorb the passenger overflow at Dublin, he said that it would be an extremely short-sighted strategy to build an airport on the back of another airport's inability to cope in the short-term. He mentioned the Dublin Airport cap will be addressed as a matter of national importance, with reference to the new government's recent commitment to resolving the issue.

"Shannon has amazing strengths, with great tourism products and experiences on its doorstep. It has the capacity to drive its own future and should focus on this to continue to build on its success." he stated.

Looking ahead and describing Emerald Airlines as a fledgling airline, with a fleet of eighteen ATR-600 aircraft, designed for short-haul flights he said, that while the company has no plans to fly out of Shannon, should an opportunity arise in the future to consider a poorly served airport in the UK, it would not be ruled out.

"We know our niche. We are a regional airline supporting hub carriers and we will always look for opportunities where we can make money," he added.

Referring to the maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) sector, in which Dublin Aerospace is a leading player, having opened a new landing gear facility in Ashbourne, County Meath, he called on the Government to review its treatment of aircraft hangar for c...

Bolt is a customer conversion technology offering a one-click checkout to its network of more than 80 million shoppers. When their CEO Justin Grooms was recently in Dublin I caught up with him.

Justin talks about what Bolt does, the consumers perspective, the seamless experience with Bolt, payment innovation, Bolts European expansion and more.

More about Bolt:

Bolt has transformed the checkout experience, providing its hundreds of merchant partners, including luxury brand LuisaViaRoma, with a password less checkout technology that embeds seamlessly into the retailer's technology to maintain brand identity. Bolt's technology, combined with its extensive shopper network, allows retailers to instantly recognise shoppers, increase conversion, and drive revenue.

See more podcasts here.

Google is calling for entries to the third annual You're the Business Competition. Delivered in partnership with Enterprise Ireland (EI) and the Local Enterprise Offices (LEO), You're the Business is an online platform offering digital training and tools to businesses in Ireland free of charge. The competition element will reward businesses that have demonstrated a commitment to digital at different stages of their journey with those selected set to receive a Google digital support package, one-to-one mentoring and the chance to win a bespoke, AI-powered advertising campaign.

The competition is open to businesses across Ireland. Entrants must submit a written entry no longer than 200 words telling their story around how they've utilised or enhanced digital skills in order to help their business grow or succeed online.

The judging panel, comprising representatives from Google, EI, and the LEO's with You're the Business alumni and past winner Sarah Timony of ADAPTAFASHION will assess the entries based on their response to the prompt 'Tell us why you're the business'. A PDF must be uploaded to the competition submission box on the You're the Business website by 21 March 2025.

This year's initiative takes on a new AI-focus. The You're the Business online platform has access to new training modules where users can explore AI tools and learn how AI can help them prepare for the future. Selected businesses will receive a digital support package from Google which includes a one-year Google Workspace Business Standard subscription with access to AI-powered tools like Gemini Advanced and NotebookLM and a one-to-one consultation from Google experts on how to get the best out of Google Workspace. Winners will also receive a You're the Business trophy and digital assets and will be invited to attend a dedicated Winners event in Google's EMEA HQ in Dublin.

New this year, the company or founder that has demonstrated the most creative or effective use of digital skills to grow or enhance their business will receive a one-of-a-kind prize; a bespoke AI-powered advertising campaign, created by Google AI with a team of experts in partnership with the winner.

Cera Ward, Managing Director at Google Ireland said:

"We are so excited to launch the third-annual You're the Business competition and look forward to learning more about these companies, their challenges, and digital ambitions. We know that AI has the power to revolutionise the way we do business which is why we have made it a key focus of this year's initiative. Google wants to support these companies as they take the next steps on their AI journey."

Carol Gibbons, Divisional Manager. Entrepreneurship, Regions & Local Enterprise at Enterprise Ireland:

"Enterprise Ireland and the Local Enterprise Offices are committed to empowering Irish businesses to succeed online. Our collaboration with Google on initiatives like this competition is a key part of that commitment. We are thrilled to partner with Google on this exciting opportunity and look forward to discovering the innovative ways businesses are approaching their digital growth. We're here to support them every step of the way on their digital journey."

John Magee, Chair of the Local Enterprise Office Network said:

"We are committed to helping Irish businesses thrive in a digital world, and this initiative, delivered in partnership with Google, is just one of the many ways we continue to support our clients on their digital journey."

Speaking at the launch announcement, past winner and judge for the 2025 competition Sarah Timony, CEO and Founder, ADAPTAFASHION:

"Participating in the You're the Business competition was a fantastic experience. The programme provided me with invaluable support and resources that directly contributed to the growth and success of ADAPTAFASHION. I'm so grateful for the opportunity and would encourage fellow founders to participate in this year's initiative to see how far digital can bring you on your growth ...

Africa Tech Summit Awards announced the 2025 winners, recognising the leading entrepreneurs and ventures shaping the tech industry across the continent. The awards ceremony was held during the seventh edition of

Africa Tech Summit Nairobi, powered by Raenest, which connected over 1,600 tech leaders from more than 65 countries to do business.

Lauren Adair, Director of Africa Tech Summit, said: "The Awards were created to celebrate tech companies driving business and growth across a range of sectors and it was fantastic to host so many finalists doing this, all in one room. A huge thank you to our independent judging panel and to everyone who joined us in recognising their achievements, cheering them on and closing the seventh Africa Tech Summit Nairobi on a high."

Winners of the Africa Tech Summit Awards are:

Agritech Award

Mazao AgClimate Limited (Tanzania): With over 50 million smallholder farmers at risk of losing arable land due to the overuse of synthetic fertilizers and deforestation, MazaoHub aims to restore soil health, reduce fertilizer dependency, and prevent environmental collapse, enabling both ecological balance and food security.

AI Award

Cassava Technologies (South Africa): Cassava Technologies is pioneering AI-driven infrastructure to enhance connectivity, cybersecurity, and cloud services. Their innovations ensure businesses and individuals can access secure, scalable, and affordable digital solutions, fueling Africa's digital economy.

Climate Tech Award

Sabi (Nigeria): Sabi's Technology Rails for African Commodity Exchange (TRACE) platform is a blockchain-enabled climate technology that delivers real-time traceability, Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) compliance, and carbon tracking for commodities like cocoa, lithium, and copper.

Cross Border Payments Award

Flutterwave (Nigeria): Flutterwave's Send App simplifies international remittances, helping individuals and businesses transfer money seamlessly across 35+ countries, including the UK, US, Canada, Nigeria, and Kenya in minutes.

Digital Commerce Award

OmniRetail (Nigeria): Retail trade in Africa is highly fragmented, with nearly 90 per cent of retailers relying on the traditional distribution system. OmniRetail is digitizing the retail sector by simplifying distribution and enabling better access to essential goods.

EdTech Award

Ikusasa Technology Solutions (South Africa): Championing inclusive education, Ikusasa Technology Solutions is digitizing vocational training through its SMART Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) initiative.

Enterprise Award

Smile ID (Nigeria): Africa faces significant challenges in identity verification, with over 400 million individuals lacking reliable IDs. Smile ID addresses this gap by providing innovative solutions that verify identities in real time, reduce fraud risks, and enable secure transactions.

FemTech Award

My Pregnancy Journey (South Africa): The first African-focused maternal digital health app, offering culturally relevant pregnancy tracking, local health expert connections, and a digital ecosystem that supports women from pregnancy through postpartum.

FinTech Award

HUB2 (Mauritius): Cross-border payments in Francophone Africa remain complex, with over 100 mobile money operators and numerous banks working independently. This fragmentation makes it challenging for businesses to navigate and integrate payment systems. HUB2 addresses this issue by providing a single API that consolidates mobile money, bank transfers, card payments, and cryptocurrency, simplifying the transaction process.

Health Tech Award

Zuri Health (Kenya): Is a pioneering digital healthcare platform that ensures affordable and accessible healthcare across Africa. With virtual consultations, AI-powered diagnostics, pharmacy delivery, and chronic care management, Zuri Health serves patients via mobile apps, WhatsApp, SMS, and websites.

Web3 Award

MiniPay (Nigeria): Millions of people in emerging markets lack access to ...

Two key digital infrastructure organisations are merging to drive the growth and success of the digital infrastructure ecosystem in and from Ireland. Host in Ireland and Digital Infrastructure Ireland will join together under the Digital Infrastructure Ireland name, reflecting both the criticality of the industry and the need for urgent action by the Irish Government to advance the sector in Ireland.

Digital Infrastructure Groups Merge to Strengthen Industry Representation

Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Digitalisation and National Development Mr Jack Chambers TD will give the keynote address at the Digital Infrastructure Ireland Launch event next week which comes after five years of a de facto moratorium on the data centre industry and investment by-passing Ireland due to policy ambiguity and uncertainty.

The founder of Host in Ireland, Garry Connolly, said the industry needs one powerful voice to champion the digital infrastructure industry. "Ireland and the Irish digital infrastructure ecosystem have long been trusted global partners for designing, building, and supplying digital infrastructure. The industry needs a collective voice to represent the diverse sectors and communities that drive this critical industry. While the ecosystem has soared in recent years, the industry here at home faces serious challenges, including energy constraints, sustainability, and regulatory uncertainty."

"It's time to try something new. The CRU consultation should initiate a collaborative effort, bringing together government, agencies, and industry leaders to plot a course for Ireland and this trillion dollar global industry. Ireland's energy challenges demand immediate action from top public and private experts to address grid constraints, solutions, and investments - not just in the medium and long-term, but immediately, as there are too many opportunities in limbo. Now more than ever, we must move beyond incremental steps and take giant leaps to embrace bold, forward-thinking policies. We need to build on Ireland's 60+ year history with data by embracing a future that demands us to be creative, brave, and relentless."

To guide its strategic direction and ensure a partner-driven vision remains at the forefront, Digital Infrastructure Ireland is establishing a Strategic Advisory Board. This board will be composed of industry leaders and professional experts who will play a crucial role in shaping the future of the organisation. The initial Advisory Board will be co-chaired by the long-established data centre industry veteran, Maurice Mortell, and Michelle Wallace, COO for Host in Ireland.

"The challenges we face as an industry in Ireland are getting serious and require a proactive and robust approach to advocacy and awareness. A lack of policy clarity is putting future investment at risk," said Maurice Mortell, co-chair of the advisory board at Digital Infrastructure Ireland. "The Government must take an active role in enabling the next wave of cloud and AI-driven growth, or Ireland will be left behind as other markets seize these opportunities. Digital Infrastructure Ireland is committed to addressing these issues through collaboration, advocacy and proactive engagement with policymakers to ensure the industry can continue to thrive."

About Digital Infrastructure Ireland

Digital Infrastructure Ireland is a global initiative dedicated to driving the growth and success of the digital infrastructure ecosystem both in and from Ireland.

As a partner-driven organisation, our community brings together companies with world-class expertise at every stage of the digital infrastructure lifecycle. From design and construction to operation and maintenance, our partners embody a spirit of "co-opetition" and collaboration that strengthens Ireland's standing as a global leader in digital infrastructure.

Digital Infrastructure Ireland serves as a collective voice for the digital infrastructure ecosystem to ensure it remains a trusted pa...

University of Galway has launched its Pocket Forest project, planting a new 100m2 native woodland on campus.

Led by the Pocket Forests social enterprise, the mini-woodland was created by a team made up of university staff and students, Transition Year students from Coláiste Muire Máthair, Galway, community volunteers and Brendan Smith from Terryland Forest Park.

Pocket Forest for University of Galway

Supported by Lifes2Good Foundation, the Pocket Forest is located on North campus behind the Institute for Lifecourse and Society. It will compare the close planting of young native trees in one half with more conventional urban tree planting of wide-spaced semi-mature trees in the other half.

More than 200 of the saplings were sourced from the Pocket Forests nursery in Shelton Abbey Open Prison, which enables prisoners to learn about growing and caring for native trees, giving them a role in climate and biodiversity actions.

Professor Frances Fahy, Professor of Geography and Director of the Ryan Institute, University of Galway, said: "The University of Galway Pocket Forest is a fantastic example of how we can integrate biodiversity conservation, wellbeing and environmental education. By planting native species at the heart of our campus, it enhances biodiversity while providing a peaceful environment for students and staff. This initiative shows that by making use of the small pockets of space around us, we can all contribute to tackling the ecological crisis."

Maurice McQuillan, CEO of the Lifes2Good Foundation, said: "As a foundation based in Galway, we are delighted to support the work of Pocket Forests in the University of Galway as they research the idea of making space for nature in urban areas. The University of Galway is a great location for us all to learn about the importance of preserving native Irish trees and at the same time enjoy the greening of the campus."

To mark the launch of the Pocket Forest, University of Galway hosted a roundtable discussion where academics and researchers working in sustainability and environmental climate change came together to discuss ways in which the Pocket Forest could add value to their teaching, research and outreach, and deliver meaningful impact to the campus and the wider community. The event concluded with a documentary screening of The Forest Midwife by Beta Bajgart followed by a Q&A with some of the key creative minds behind the project.

The film was supported by the University's Ryan Institute and tells the story of forest regeneration through the eyes of Pocket Forests co-founder, journalist, writer and environmentalist, Catherine Cleary, along with her family, friends and new neighbours. After a ten-year stint as Restaurant Critic for The Irish Times, Catherine Cleary took a mid-life step into the unknown in 2020, purchasing a craggy piece of land in Roscommon that she would later transform into a thriving forest and nature reserve.

Catherine Cleary said: "We urgently need reforestation of native woodlands across Ireland, but trees and shrubs also play a crucial role in making urban areas more live-able. The Pocket Forests team is looking forward to working with staff and students at the University of Galway to explore the best ways to bring nature-based solutions to our towns and cities to make them happier and healthier places."

Watch the trailer of The Forest Midwife documentary here: https://vimeo.com/984388904

About University of Galway

Established in 1845, University of Galway is one of the top 2% of universities in the world. We are a bilingual university, comprised of four colleges, 18 schools and five research institutes, with more than 19,000 students, including around 3,000 international students. We have been accredited with an Athena SWAN Institutional Bronze Award, and 12 out of our 18 schools hold individual Athena SWAN Awards. We have more than 2,500 staff, and research collaborations with 4,675 international institutions in 137 countries. We have 133,000...

The DigiBio Healthtech Innovation Programme, designed to cultivate the next generation of innovators and entrepreneurs in the rapidly evolving health and wellbeing sectors, is now accepting applications for the second year of its ground-breaking innovation programme. Only 12 exceptional individuals from diverse backgrounds will be selected. Those who are passionate about innovation and delivering real impact are encouraged to apply.

Hosted and managed by Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT) in partnership with core partners RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dublin City University, Trinity College Dublin and Tyndall National Institute, this transformative 10-month full-time postgraduate programme, commences in September 2025.

DigiBio Healthtech Innovation Programme Highlights:

€38,000 Scholarship: participants will receive €38,000 tax-free to participate in the programme

Expert Mentorship: participants will get invaluable guidance from experienced clinical, industry, investment and technology professionals

Comprehensive Training: hands-on training in needs-led innovation, design thinking and entrepreneurship will be provided

Direct Access to Healthcare Environments: participants will spend up to 8 weeks in a healthcare environment identifying real healthcare problems to address

Exploration of Commercial Opportunities: participants will be supported in developing and validating viable business propositions.

The current participants come from varied backgrounds and include a GP, nurse, physiotherapist, digital health designer, medical device designer, financial manager, digital transformation manager, and solicitor.

Carl Power, DigiBio Healthtech Innovation Programme Director, said:

"By providing aspiring innovators and entrepreneurs with the training, resources and support they need to succeed, this programme will play a vital role in shaping the future of healthcare with impactful solutions.

We are looking for 12 quality candidates with five or more years of professional experience who are looking to get into a start-up or perhaps a career change as an innovation leader. It's a very hands-on programme where you also get direct access to healthcare environments. At its core, the programme is about learning and applying a specific approach to finding a problem worth solving and building a commercial case to bring it to market."

DigiBio is supported under the Innovators' Initiative Programme, co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union through the Southern, Eastern & Midland Regional Programme 2021-2027.

Applications are open until 2nd May. You can apply here - https://www.digibio.ie/apply#apply-now.