Granite Digital, Ireland’s leading full-service digital agency, has announced that it has acquired the majority stake (75%) in the digital division of New York’s innovative creative agency, LCM247.

The acquisition – which will see the formation of LCM by Granite – is expected to significantly boost Granite’s revenues beyond €13 million this year. This is being boosted by a projected $3 million in new US revenues in the first 18 months following the acquisition.

The move will also provide Granite Digital with a strategic foothold in the US and will see the team expand beyond 110 digital professionals, with the addition of LCM247’s 12 experienced digital specialists. Patrick Heaphy, founder and president of LCM247, will also serve as Chief Creative Officer of LCM by Granite. It will solidify the company’s position on both sides of the Atlantic, with offices in Cork, Dublin and Galway in Ireland and now LCM247’s office located just outside Manhattan.

LCM247 is a renowned and Emmy-nominated New York creative agency. With its expertise in film production, marketing, branding, and visual creativity, the acquisition will enable Granite Digital to enhance its suite of digital experience offerings to its growing base of Irish and US -based customers.

Granite Digital will also add many of LCM247’s diverse clients to its customer base. In Ireland, it continues to deliver a wide range of services – including design, technology, strategy, digital marketing, advertising, and secure managed hosting – to industry leaders like IDA Ireland, Pfizer, Lidl, Dalata Hotel Group PLC, Bord Bia, American Chamber of Commerce, Cork Chamber of Commerce, Shannon Airport, Uniphar, Bon Secours Health System, Travelopia and Webhelp.

This latest acquisition marks another milestone in Granite Digital’s journey to becoming a global digital agency leader. It is the latest in a series of strategic expansions by the company, following 13 successful acquisitions -four of which have been in the last two years – including Continuum, Willows, Armour and Connector.

Granite Digital offers intelligent solutions to global companies by leveraging AI, Machine Learning, and next generation platforms like Blockchain. It delivers cutting-edge technologies – such as Microsoft Azure, AWS and WPEngine – and innovative architectures – including Headless. Its expertise spans content management systems (CMS), customer relationship management (CRM), enterprise systems and secure payment integration.

Speaking about the LCM247 acquisition, Robert Carpenter, Chief Commercial Officer of Granite Digital, said: “This strategic acquisition is an exciting step forward in our global expansion. We are harnessing the creative prowess of LCM247 to propel our growth and deliver a broader range of digital solutions to our clients worldwide. We now have a team on the ground in New York and aim to accelerate our expansion across the East coast over the next 24 months. We love the US and the US loves Ireland too, so we are very excited to get out and meet as many businesses as we can. This is a big move for Granite Digital but we have big ambitions for both ourselves and our customers. To ensure a seamless transition as our teams unite, I plan to relocate to New York this summer, dedicating my efforts to facilitate a smooth and successful integration.”

Patrick Heaphy, Founder and President of LCM247, added: “Joining forces with a dynamic and growth-focused digital agency like Granite Digital offers us the resources and shared expertise to continue pushing the boundaries in the digital and creative world. This is a thrilling next chapter for LCM247 and Granite, and I look forward to working with Robert and Conor to bring our creative skills and vision to this fast-growing team and contribute to its global success.”

Conor Buckley, CEO of Granite Digital, commented: “This acquisition of LCM247’s digital division is a transformative milestone for Granite Digital. It’s not merely about global scaling; i...

Guest article by Noel Carroll, University of Galway, Associate Professor in Business Information Systems at the J.E. Cairnes School of Business & Economics.

Introduction

In the world of application development, the traditional approach has always been to rely on code to build software applications. However, recent advances in technology have led to new ways of developing applications that do not require coding. No-code platforms have emerged as a solution to this problem, allowing individuals with no programming experience to build functional applications. In addition, the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) with no-code platforms has paved the way for a new era of app development and fuelling the growth of Citizen Development.

No-Code and AI: Is This The Future of App Development?

There are some examples for organisations considering the use of Citizen Development and to successfully digitally transform its organization and operations that produce significant benefits. But more recently, there is growing excitement as to what is happening in this intersection of no-code and AI and how it is shaping the future of app development.

Benefits of using AI-powered No-Code Platforms

No-code platforms have become increasingly popular in recent years due to the many benefits they offer. The benefits of using AI-powered no-code platforms help to reduce the time, training, and resources required to develop an app – and in many cases, reduces the demand on IT departments. Below are some of the main benefits we see throughout our research at the Citizen Development Lab:

Faster development time

One of the key benefits of using AI-powered no-code platforms is the ability to speed up the development process. Traditional app development requires developers to write code from scratch, which can be time consuming and labour intensive. However, no-code platforms provide pre-built components that can be customised to the needs of the application. By integrating AI, these platforms can automate many of the repetitive tasks involved in app development, such as data entry, testing and debugging.

This approach can significantly reduce the time it takes to develop an app, enabling businesses to get their products to market faster. The ability to speed up the development process, often described as hyper- agility is considered to be a gamechanger. Traditional application development requires developers to write code from scratch, which can be time consuming and labour intensive. However, no-code platforms provide pre-built components that can be customised to meet the needs of the application. This approach can significantly reduce the time it takes to develop an application, allowing companies to get their products to market faster.

Removing the need for coding expertise

One of the key benefits of no-code platforms is that they remove the need for technical expertise in coding, which can be a significant barrier for people without a programming background. Instead, no-code platforms provide a visual interface that allows users to drag and drop elements to build their applications. This approach not only saves time, but also empowers non-technical users to take control of their app development process.

Integrating AI with no-code platforms

Several no-code platforms have integrated AI capabilities into their offerings, allowing users to take advantage of the benefits of AI without any technical expertise. Many platforms provide users with a drag-and-drop interface for building web and mobile applications. No- code platform increasingly have built-in AI capabilities, including natural language processing and image recognition, which can be used to build intelligent applications.

In addition, many no-code platforms have built-in AI-powered chatbots that can be used to automate customer support and improve user engagement. The integration of AI with no- code platforms is a game changer for the app development industry. AI algorithms can help stre...

Greg Hannam is the co-founder and CEO of Peerkat, a data analytics tool for marketers to help them understand their users, increase engagement and drive growth in their web3 strategies. In this episode, Greg chats with Pete Townsend about how his life experience drove him to the Peerkat vision, driving value for brands moving from web2 to web3, the evolution of non-fungible tokens (NFTs) beyond profile pics, and a few life lessons along the way.

Greg and his Peerkat co-founders Ben Marshall and Ike Iwumene are one of the 12 founding teams forming the Techstars Web3 accelerator class of 2023.

Peerkat combines multiple data sources with machine learning to connect the dots between web2 and web3 and provide powerful insights into user behaviour across disparate platforms.

Before co-founding Peerkat with Ben and Ike, Greg’s roots bring him back to mechanical engineering at the University of Leeds before diving headfirst into deep data analytics and product management. Greg then worked with a number of VC-backed deep tech startups in the AI space, developing product, growth, and operations functions.

KEY QUOTE:

“The data behind how long you’ve owned an NFT and how you’re engaging with it is the best customer survey that anyone’s ever going to do. That is such a strong signal for brands to be able to say, ‘These are our real fans,’” said Greg Hannam on MoneyNeverSleeps.

LINKS:

Learn more about Peerkat

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Episode title inspired by ‘First Chain’ by Big Sean ft. Nas and Kid Cudi

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Tyndall National Institute, based at University College Cork, has partnered with the University of Galway to land €1.2 million in funding through SFI’s Frontiers of the Future Programme.

The collaborative project, titled ‘Pulsed Laser Annealing of 2D Semiconductors for Nanoelectronics’, will research the area of Advanced and Smart Manufacturing and will aim to substantially increase the scalability, functionality, performance, and energy efficiency of electronic devices while keeping full compatibility with existing mass production technologies.

The project, co-led by Principal Researchers Dr Ray Duffy, Tyndall National Institute, and Professor Ger O’Connor, University of Galway, will carry out basic and applied research in the area of novel functional materials applicable to active components in sensors, nano- and opto-electronics. These components affect almost all day-to-day consumer devices.

The team’s research will address broad societal challenges, such as improved personalised healthcare, energy harvesting, and connected societies.

Applications will potentially include electronically activated sensors in low-cost smart medical devices and better performing and longer-lasting tech such as smartphones for consumers. This project will work on developing the early stages of the technology to meet these needs.

The project is a collaborative effort, leveraging complementary and interdisciplinary skillsets of co-Principle Investigators in Tyndall and the University of Galway, with Academic Collaborators in the University of Michigan and Imperial College London.

The SFI Frontiers for the Future Programme provides opportunities for independent investigators to conduct highly innovative, collaborative research with the potential to deliver impact whilst also providing opportunities for high-risk, high-reward research projects.

The programme is significant as it supports world-class research that aims to improve society and the economy. The awards fund outstanding people with innovative ideas and strategic partnerships that can demonstrate potential economic impact.

Dr Ray Duffy, Principal Researcher, project lead, said: ‘This project consortium is built on the foundation of shared expertise and enthusiastic collaboration of international experts in their complementary scientific fields. The SFI Frontiers for the Future programme has enabled us to assemble a multidisciplinary team which will tackle many grand challenges of this semiconductor material system, with impact in real-world nanoelectronic applications. I am delighted and honoured to be part of this team.’

Professor Ger O’Connor, University of Galway, said: ‘We are truly excited by the opportunity to investigate how extremely short pulses of light, lasting a millionth billionth of second, can precisely re-position atoms in two-dimensional materials, of just a few monolayers in thickness, to enable new technologies for the benefit of human-kind.’

Senior Head of Group, EU Programmes, at Tyndall National Institute, Georgios Fagas, said: ‘This is a fantastic opportunity to elaborate on our research programme on 2D materials and their application into future electronic devices. We are very excited to work together with University of Galway on a most challenging issue, which is the quality of the material when grown with large-scale deposition methods. The project brings together first-class expertise to unlock the application potential of 2D semiconductors.’

More about Irish Tech News

Irish Tech News are Ireland’s No. 1 Online Tech Publication and often Ireland’s No.1 Tech Podcast too.

You can find hundreds of fantastic previous episodes and subscribe using whatever platform you like via our Anchor.fm page here:

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Irish Tech News have a range of services available to help promote your business. Why not drop us a line at [email protected] now to find out more about how we...

Review of Gamerfest Dublin 2023 by Aaron Faulkner

Dublin Gamerfest 2023 was a quite good experience, providing a lot of activities that attendees could participate in such as quite a lot of consoles with game demos for games such as street fighter 6, lego 2k Drive, and apex legends. These dominated a quite substantial area of the convention, around half of the allotted space in the RDS main hall, and allowed for a relatively short wait time for anyone wishing to play these titles at the convention. The different individual demos and VR stands let there be quite different experiences for convention goers, which was very nice to see as it broke the trend in recent years of little actual gaming at Irish gaming conventions.

Dublin Gamerfest 2023 reviewed

A quite dominant part of the experience had to be the Irish e-sports stage that dominated the rear half of the convention hall. While the presenters themselves and the competitors were quite good, the esports stage would have benefitted from its own space, as how it was implemented dominated quite a lot of the hall and was at times quite distracting. From the parts I did personally view however it seemed to be well run with no noticeable hiccups or issues that stalled the show, so if you were interested in the esports competition specifically, it is most definitely recommended.

A big part of the event, the Williams esports sim driving rigs were oddly arranged, with the 5 rigs seemingly being distributed at different stands around the hall. This led to a situation that I encountered where the queue for the rig I wished to trial took substantially longer to wait for than another one I could view across the hall. The VR setup itself was extremely engaging and immersive when I did get to experience it, Williams esports did quite a good job on the demonstration and I had some real fun on the sim.

The convention staff did quite a good job of ensuring that attendees were able to access the demos in a reasonable time, so the queues didn’t persist for long, which was quite positive.

Overall the convention was exceptionally well run and defined, with a clear vision of the experience they wanted to provide, and managed to execute that idea. As such this convention was a pleasure to attend and I will be looking forward to attending further conventions by these organisers.

Aaron Faulkner is a writer for Irish Tech News, reviewing many Dublin based events in the past focusing around gaming conventions.

See more event reviews here.

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Irish Tech News are Ireland’s No. 1 Online Tech Publication and often Ireland’s No.1 Tech Podcast too.

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If you’d like to be featured in an upcoming Podcast email us at [email protected] now to discuss.

Irish Tech News have a range of services available to help promote your business. Why not drop us a line at [email protected] now to find out more about how we can help you reach our audience.

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The Bugs Matter survey involves citizen scientists counting the number of insect splats on their number plates after a journey. New virtual ‘splatometer’ makes counting and photographing splats even easier and improves the sustainability of the survey. The 2022 survey revealed a dramatic reduction in insect splats of 35% per decade since 2004.

Conservation charities Kent Wildlife Trust and Buglife have launched the Bugs Matter 2023 Survey, introducing a new virtual ‘splatometer’ to measure insect splats on number plates as a measure of insect abundance. This ground-breaking initiative aims to measure the alarming decline in insect numbers repeatedly reported across the United Kingdom and the globe.

New virtual splatometer to help citizen scientists

Last year’s results from the Bugs Matter citizen science survey revealed a dramatic decrease in insect populations. Across the UK, the survey found a staggering decrease of 64% in the number of insects splatted on vehicle number plates between 2004 and 2022. The annual Bugs Matter survey is valuable tool to better understand trends in insect abundance up and down the UK.

The important question to answer now is whether the results from the past two years of the survey indicate a long-term trend. The Bugs Matter team needs more and more citizen scientists to sign up and take part ever year to provide a long-term, reliable dataset. The results of Bugs Matter will better inform effective conservation strategies to halt and reverse declining insect trends across the country.

One key development for this year’s survey is the discontinuation of paper ‘splatometers’ – grids used to record the number of insects splatted on number plates as a measure of insect abundance. Previously, participants had to wait for their splatometer to be posted, causing potential delays in data collection. Now, with the switch to a virtual template, individuals can instantly and seamlessly take part in the survey. This improvement not only increases the survey’s efficiency, but also promotes sustainability through reduced printing, paper and postage.

The Bugs Matter survey encourages citizen scientists across the UK to collect valuable data on how insect numbers are faring. By participating, anyone can contribute to a nationwide effort to monitor insect populations in order to develop targeted conservation measures.

Dr Lawrence Ball at Kent Wildlife Trust says, “By joining the Bugs Matter survey, every participant becomes a vital contributor to our understanding of insect population numbers across the country. The survey enables us to collect data efficiently and sustainably, thanks to the elimination of paper splatometers this year. Together, we can make a difference in preserving populations of our valuable insects.”

Prof Karim Vahed, England Manager at Buglife says: “Given the dramatic decline in flying insect abundance over the last two decades, it is vital that we continue to monitor the situation via the Bugs Matter survey; and it is now easier than ever to take part.”

The Bugs Matter survey is running from June 1 to August 31 2023, aligning with peak insect activity. Participants can visit the Bugs Matter website (buglife.org.uk/get-involved/surveys/bugs-matter/) to download the free app for iOS and Android

Buglife |

Buglife is the only organisation in Europe devoted to the conservation of all invertebrates our aim is to halt the extinction of invertebrate species and to achieve sustainable populations of invertebrates. Invertebrates are vitally important to a healthy planet – humans and other life forms could not survive without them. The food we eat, the fish we catch, the birds we see, the flowers we smell and the hum of life we hear, simply would not exist without bugs. Invertebrates underpin life on earth and without them the world’s ecosystems would collapse. www.buglife.org.uk

Kent Wildlife Trust |

Kent Wildlife Trust is the county’s leading conservation charity with more than 31,000 members and...

The United States currently faces an unprecedented incarceration rate, with approximately 2.2 million individuals housed in correctional institutions. This staggering number gives rise to challenges such as overcrowding and limited resources within these establishments, often resulting in a failure to address the underlying causes of criminal behavior and perpetuating a cycle of repeat offenses. Therefore, it is crucial to reevaluate and adjust our approach to penology, shifting the focus from punishment to rehabilitation.

This article aims to shed light on the potential transformations of correctional institutions by exploring innovative strategies designed to address the shortcomings of the current system. We will primarily focus on the revolutionary role of technology in areas such as inmate education, vocational training, virtual reality therapy, and digital surveillance systems. These advancements collectively redefine the management and rehabilitation of inmates, altering the paradigm of correctional institutions.

Archipelago

Drawing upon Foucault’s metaphorical concept of the “archipelago,” we can view each correctional institution as an “island” within a network of mechanisms, technologies, and knowledge systems that form a continuum of carceral practices. Consequently, the next phase of the penal system’s evolution could involve transforming each “island” into a center of rehabilitation and reformation empowered by technology, more effectively connected to the broader carceral “archipelago.”

Additionally, we will discuss the potential benefits of establishing smaller, community-centric correctional facilities that prioritize personalized and humane methods of incarceration. By focusing on rehabilitation and addressing the root causes of criminal behavior, we can cultivate a more equitable and efficient penal system that benefits both incarcerated individuals and society as a whole.

While the complexities of the correctional system present significant challenges, the utilization of technology, emphasis on rehabilitation, and incorporation of innovative methods offer a promising future for incarceration. By designing a system that promotes healing and reduces recidivism, we have the potential to create a just and effective approach to rehabilitation.

Obstruction, Hindrance

Obstacles to implementing technology in correctional facilities arise from various sources. One prominent concern is the potential violation of incarcerated individuals’ privacy and constitutional rights. There is also apprehension about technology being excessively intrusive, used for inmate surveillance, or imposing unwarranted punitive measures.

The implementation of technology in correctional facilities comes with a substantial financial burden and requires significant time investment. Given the existing fiscal constraints and issues with overcrowding, institutions may be hesitant to invest in technological advancements without a proven track record of success.

Furthermore, there are fears that technology may replace human personnel, leading to job losses and potentially compromising safety and security. Misunderstandings about how technology can enhance the work of correctional staff rather than replace it can fuel these concerns.

Institutional or cultural resistance to change within correctional facilities may also hinder technological advancements. Such resistance can stem from a lack of knowledge or understanding of new technologies, a general aversion to change, or a steadfast belief in the effectiveness of traditional penal methods.

Despite these valid concerns, technology holds significant potential to transform the penal system and improve outcomes for incarcerated individuals. To overcome these obstacles and ensure the responsible use of technology in promoting rehabilitation, safety, and justice, a thoughtful, collaborative, and informed approach is necessary.

The convergence of law enforcement technology and corrections offers numero...

With increased concerns about climate change, air pollution, and fossil fuel depletion, the global transportation sector is at a crossroads. As a result, developing alternative and sustainable transportation energy sources has emerged as a top priority.

Electric engines and Toyota’s hydrogen engine are two of the most promising technologies in this industry. In this article, we will look at both technologies, compare their benefits and drawbacks, and examine how hydrogen engines may bury electric vehicles in the future. We will also look at several factors that customers should think about before purchasing a vehicle with a hydrogen engine. Let’s unveil the engine powerhouses.

Electric Engines

Electric engines, or electric motors, convert electrical energy into mechanical energy, which powers the wheels of an electric vehicle (EV). The rise of EVs in the market can be attributed to various factors, including increased environmental awareness, supportive government policies, and advancements in battery technology. Major automakers like Tesla, Nissan, and Chevrolet have invested heavily in developing and producing electric vehicles, making them more accessible to consumers.

Advantages

One of the primary advantages of electric engines is that they produce zero tailpipe emissions, significantly reducing air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, electric vehicles are much quieter than their internal combustion engine (ICE) counterparts, leading to reduced noise pollution.

Electric vehicles also have lower operating costs, requiring less maintenance and fewer replacement parts compared to ICE vehicles. Moreover, the cost of electricity is generally lower than gasoline or diesel, making electric vehicles more economical to operate.

Lastly, electric vehicles can be charged using renewable energy sources like solar, wind, or hydropower, further reducing their environmental impact.

Disadvantages

Despite their advantages, electric vehicles face several challenges. One of the most significant issues is their limited range compared to conventional vehicles. Although advancements in battery technology have led to increased driving ranges, electric vehicles still fall short of the distances covered by ICE vehicles on a single tank of fuel.

Another challenge is the longer refueling time required for electric vehicles. While filling up a gasoline-powered car takes only a few minutes, charging an electric vehicle can take several hours, depending on the charger’s power output.

Furthermore, electric vehicles heavily depend on battery technology, which has its own set of environmental concerns. The production and disposal of batteries can result in significant emissions and pollution, offsetting some of the environmental benefits of electric vehicles.

Toyota’s Hydrogen Engine

Toyota’s hydrogen engine is based on hydrogen fuel cell technology, which generates electricity by combining hydrogen with oxygen in a fuel cell. This electricity powers an electric motor, which drives the wheels of the vehicle. Toyota’s Mirai is one of the first commercially available hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, showcasing the potential of this technology.

Advantages

Like electric vehicles, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles produce zero tailpipe emissions, with water being the only byproduct. This makes them an attractive option for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution.

One of the key advantages of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles over electric vehicles is their quicker refueling time. It takes only a few minutes to refuel a hydrogen vehicle, similar to conventional ICE vehicles.

Additionally, hydrogen has a higher energy density compared to batteries, allowing for longer driving ranges in hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. This makes them more suitable for long-distance travel and commercial applications, such as trucking and public transportation.

Lastly, hydrogen can be produced from various sources, including renewable energy, making it a potentially s...

Datapac, Ireland’s leading technology solutions and services provider, has announced that it has been awarded the title of Sophos Partner of the Year for 2023, marking the sixth time that Datapac has been the recipient of the prestigious award.

Sophos is a global leader for next-generation security with over 500,000 customers worldwide. The Partner of the Year was announced at the Sophos Partner Roadshow, held in Mondello Park, Naas, Co. Kildare. This annual event brings Sophos’ expertise in-person to its valued partners in the EMEA region, celebrating their success in delivering peerless levels of security to their customers and providing insights and innovations to keep partners ahead of the curve in the fast-moving cybersecurity landscape.

Datapac secured the award in recognition of its continuously strong growth in its cyber security business which further accelerated over the past 12 months. Through its deep and ever-evolving level of technical expertise, mirrored in its advanced platinum-level partner accreditation, Datapac delivers the highest levels of protection to its customers through Sophos’ range of next-generation award-winning cybersecurity solutions. These include firewalls, endpoint and network protection, and full 24/7 managed threat detection and response (MDR) services.

Through adopting a collaborative approach to its customers’ continued success, Datapac helps guide them towards best-in-class security posture through consultative strategic conversations that focus not only on the cybersecurity needs of today but also the future. Datapac has been advocating for cybersecurity awareness, employing multiple channels to reach its growing customer base. This concerted effort aims to educate Irish organisations about the pressing risks of cybercrime and empower them with the knowledge and tools needed to enhance their protective measures.

As a global leader in the space, Sophos operates on the cutting-edge of the cybersecurity industry, protecting millions of users and over 500,000 organisations of all sizes in more than 150 countries from today’s most advanced cyber threats. Sophos is a leader in Gartner’s Magic Quadrant for both endpoint and network security and has been positioned as a leader for Endpoint Protection Platforms (EPP) for 13 consecutive years. Over the past year, Datapac has continued to achieve significant growth for its security services and Sophos solutions amongst both new and existing customers.

Conor O’ Leary, Sophos Ireland Channel Executive, said: “Datapac has been an instrumental driver for the Sophos portfolio of security solutions within the Irish market for many years, from being the first Irish company to attain platinum-level partnership to today becoming the six-time recipient of the Partner of the Year award. Datapac’s team have continuously demonstrated their commitment to the partnership and to Sophos solutions through exceptional credentials, expertise and their deep understanding of the value Sophos brings to their customers’ peace of mind. We are delighted to recognise Datapac with the Ireland Partner of the Year award once again.”

Patrick Kickham, Director, Datapac said: “We are extremely proud to have achieved the Partner of the Year Award for the sixth time, particularly from an organisation like Sophos who are so firmly committed to looking to the future evolution of cybersecurity. This pioneering spirit of innovation matches Datapac’s ethos, which has seen our organisation remain at the forefront of the information technology industry in Ireland for over forty years. Guided by this driving mantra of continual innovation, with our proactive and agile approach and the incorporation of cutting-edge technologies and advanced capabilities into our security solutions, we are committed to empowering Irish businesses in effectively tackling the constantly evolving threat landscape.

“This recognition of Datapac’s achievements demonstrates the power of likeminded companies work...

eir has announced that it has brought 5G ultrafast mobile coverage to one of the most remote locations in Ireland, Co Kerry’s breathtaking Black Valley – the last corner of the country to get rural electrification.

The announcement was made in the scenic Gap of Dunloe by eir as they were joined by local residents who are now enjoying high-speed broadband and crystal-clear mobile phone connections thanks to the latest leap forward in connectivity in the valley.

eir has the best 5G availability in Ireland and the extension of the network to the Black Valley community between Beaufort and Killarney brings eir’s 5G service now to 550 cities, towns and communities throughout Ireland – the equivalent of over 85% of the population.

Oliver Loomes, CEO of eir “We are proud to announce that eir has successfully connected the Black Valley in Kerry with 5G, marking a significant milestone on our journey to connect Ireland with future proofed technology. The Black Valley is significant as was one of the last places in Ireland to be connected to electricity and telephone networks due to its remote location.

We believe that this delivery will empower the local community and drive innovation and growth in the region. We are proud to have played a role in connecting this beautiful valley in the heart of Killarney National Park, and we look forward to continuing to expand our network to benefit communities all across Ireland.”

While the ESB began the rural electrification programme in 1946, electricity did not make its way to the Black Valley until 1977 when it is believed to have been the last corner of Ireland connected to the national power grid. Now, it is leap-frogging over much of the country in getting the fastest speeds and highest capacity mobile network available which also supports high-speed broadband.

The development is a boon to local business owners like Eilise Sullivan of Anam Valley Cottages who rents self-catering cottages to holiday-makers and facilitates arts and research residencies in this pristine, remote location, and can now promote her business and take online bookings with an assured, high quality broadband connection.

Eilise Sullivan of Anam Valley Cottages said “I am incredibly proud of my home in the Black Valley. I started this business because I wanted to be able to share these incredible landscapes with other people from around the world and I wanted to try to elevate the position and perceived value of rural communities. With eir 5G those things are now possible. I have struggled for years with a substandard service which has made it difficult to manage and progress all areas of the business. It is such a relief to know that I will never have to be in that position again.

Basic services such as home broadband and mobile coverage are a necessity for anyone living in today’s society and this new system means that our community won’t be left behind. No other network provider has invested as much time, energy and resources to ensure that our community stays connected and I’m very grateful to eir, Kerry County Council and the Black Valley Community Group for all their hard work and dedication to the project. This new system is a game-changer and I look forward to the opportunities it will bring to the community both now and in the future.”

Thousands of tourists who visit the area by bicycle, boat or pony and trap every year will now be able to livestream their experience on TikTok or update their Insta-stories from right in the heart of this picture postcard location.

Kerry Mountain Rescue’s vital service will also benefit from reliable high-quality connectivity and not have to rely on ‘walkie-talkie’ coverage when they head off in search of a climber in distress in the area.

There are now more than 550 towns, villages and communities in Ireland connected to eir’s 5G network. The Black Valley community has become the 15th district in Kerry to be connected at an investment cost of more than €600,000 for the Black ...