Virgin Media, in partnership with Dublin City Council, are proud to support World Wi-Fi Day 2021, a global initiative which takes place on June 20th each year to help bridge the digital divide. Wi-Fi is playing a significant role in cities and communities around the world by driving exciting and innovative projects to ‘connect the unconnected’. While Dublin households have the highest levels of fixed internet access in Ireland with over 92% of households connected (CSO, 2020) there are still a number of areas and communities across Dublin who don’t have the quality of connectivity required to achieve their true potential. Dublin’s Wifi4EU programme is connecting communities and families across the city with over 30 locations connected including the Cabbage Garden Interagency Project in Dublin city centre.
Aidan D’Arcy, Director of Business at Virgin Media Ireland said: “It’s fantastic to work with Dublin City Council on these projects and help improve the offerings for local communities. World Wi-Fi Day is a great opportunity for everyone to recognise just how significant a role the internet plays in all of our lives and how important it can be in creating more engaged and connected communities across Dublin and the country.”
Kelley Bermingham, Community Officer, St Patrick’s Cathedral & The Iveagh Trust said: “The Cabbage Garden Interagency Project is a collaboration between key stakeholders including Saint Patrick’s Cathedral and the Iveagh Trust, situated in Dublin 8, originally formed to create a communal and friendly environment for local residents and visitors and help mitigate any limiting, risky behaviour or negative activity in the area. The installation of a robust and accessible Wi-Fi network will help the programme to run positive and engaging activities, such as fitness sessions, social gatherings and street festivals, as a means to building trust with a wide variety of groups in the area.”
Nicola Graham, Smart City Operations Manager for Dublin City Council said: “Partnering with Virgin Media Business to deliver reliable and fast public Wi-Fi services to communities that need it most is exactly what our Smart City programme is all about. We want to support connectivity with a particular emphasis on strengthening community engagement and supporting wider digital innovation initiatives.”