Why Businesses In Ireland Are Increasingly Investing In IT Support Services

In the modern business landscape, technology is no longer just a support function—it is the backbone of success. For businesses in Ireland, where digital transformation is accelerating rapidly, having reliable IT support services is crucial to staying competitive and resilient. From safeguarding sensitive data to ensuring seamless daily operations, professional IT support enables companies to focus on growth and innovation without being hindered by technical challenges. 

In this article, we are going to explore the various reasons why investing in IT support is essential for Irish businesses.

Strengthening Cybersecurity and Data Protection

Cybersecurity is a paramount concern for businesses worldwide, and Ireland is no exception. With cyberattacks becoming more sophisticated and frequent, companies face significant risks including data breaches, ransomware, and identity theft. Such incidents can lead to severe financial losses, legal consequences, and damage to brand reputation.

Professional IT support services like Hybrid TP provide businesses with robust cybersecurity measures designed to protect sensitive data and IT assets. These include firewalls, intrusion detection systems, antivirus software, encryption, and continuous monitoring to detect and respond to threats in real time. IT experts also conduct vulnerability assessments and penetration testing to identify and address security weaknesses before they can be exploited.

In addition, IT support providers help businesses comply with stringent data protection regulations such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which applies across the European Union including Ireland. Compliance involves implementing appropriate security controls, conducting regular audits, and maintaining detailed records—all of which IT professionals can manage effectively. This not only mitigates legal risks but also builds customer trust by demonstrating a commitment to safeguarding personal information.

Cost Savings and Scalability

For many Irish businesses, especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), maintaining an in-house IT department can be prohibitively expensive. Hiring, training, and retaining skilled IT staff, along with investing in infrastructure and software licences, can strain budgets.

Outsourcing IT support to managed service providers (MSPs) offers a cost-effective alternative. MSPs provide access to a team of experienced professionals and the latest technology without the overhead costs associated with full-time employees. This model allows businesses to convert fixed IT expenses into predictable operational costs.

Furthermore, managed IT services are scalable and flexible. As a business grows or experiences fluctuations in demand, IT support can adjust resources accordingly. Whether expanding IT capacity during busy periods or scaling down during quieter times, this adaptability ensures that companies only pay for the services they need, enhancing financial efficiency.

Enhancing Operational Efficiency and Productivity

Technology underpins virtually every aspect of modern business operations. From managing customer relationships and supply chains to handling internal communications, IT systems enable companies to streamline workflows and automate routine tasks. However, these systems can be complex, and technical issues such as software glitches, hardware failures, or network outages can disrupt operations and reduce productivity.

IT support services provide businesses with the expertise needed to maintain and optimise their IT infrastructure. By offering rapid troubleshooting and problem resolution, IT professionals minimise downtime and ensure that employees can focus on their core responsibilities without unnecessary interruptions. Regular maintenance, including software updates and hardware checks, prevents unexpected failures and keeps systems running smoothly.

Moreover, IT support teams can advise on and implement automation tools and software solutions tailored to a company’s specific needs. This not only reduces manual workload but also improves accuracy and speeds up processes, contributing to overall operational efficiency.

Compliance with Regulations and Industry Standards

Irish businesses operate in a regulatory environment that demands strict adherence to data protection and IT governance standards. The GDPR, introduced in 2018, imposes rigorous requirements on how personal data is collected, stored, and processed. Non-compliance can result in hefty fines and reputational damage.

IT support teams help businesses navigate these complex regulations by implementing necessary technical controls and policies. They conduct regular compliance audits, ensure data is encrypted and access is controlled, and maintain detailed logs required for regulatory reporting.

Beyond GDPR, certain industries such as finance, healthcare, and retail may have additional standards and certifications to meet. IT support services provide the expertise to align IT practices with these requirements, reducing risk and enhancing credibility with customers and partners.

Proactive IT Management and Business Continuity

One of the greatest advantages of professional IT support is proactive management. Instead of waiting for issues to arise, managed IT service providers continuously monitor systems to detect potential problems early. This proactive approach reduces downtime by addressing vulnerabilities before they cause failures.

Proactive IT management also includes regular system updates, patch management, and performance optimisation. These practices keep technology current and secure, preventing compatibility issues and security breaches.

Business continuity is another critical area where IT support services add value. They develop and implement disaster recovery plans that ensure data is regularly backed up and can be quickly restored in the event of hardware failure, cyberattack, or natural disaster. Cloud-based backup solutions and off-site storage mean that businesses can recover swiftly, minimising operational disruption and financial losses.

Supporting Remote Work 

The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of remote and hybrid working models, a trend that continues to shape the Irish business landscape. Remote work introduces new IT challenges, including secure access to company resources, reliable communication tools, and data protection outside traditional office environments.

IT support services enable businesses to implement and manage technologies that facilitate remote work. This includes setting up virtual private networks (VPNs) for secure connections, deploying cloud-based platforms for file sharing and collaboration, and configuring video conferencing tools to maintain communication.

By ensuring that remote employees have seamless and secure access to necessary applications and data, IT support helps maintain productivity and employee satisfaction. It also mitigates security risks associated with remote access, such as unsecured Wi-Fi networks or personal devices.

Gaining Competitive Advantage with Strategic and Thoughtful IT Planning

Beyond day-to-day technical support, IT service providers offer strategic guidance that helps businesses leverage technology for growth and innovation. They assess current IT infrastructure, identify gaps, and recommend solutions aligned with business objectives.

In a competitive market like Ireland’s, companies that adopt emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, data analytics, and cloud computing can differentiate themselves. IT support teams facilitate this by managing technology integration, training staff, and ensuring systems are scalable and secure.

Strategic IT planning also involves budgeting for future technology investments and anticipating industry trends. This foresight enables businesses to stay agile, respond quickly to market changes, and seize new opportunities.

Conclusion

In an increasingly digital and interconnected world, IT support services have become a cornerstone of business success in Ireland. From enhancing operational efficiency and productivity to strengthening cybersecurity and ensuring regulatory compliance, professional IT support delivers tangible benefits that protect and propel businesses forward.

Cost-effective and scalable managed IT services provide flexibility for companies of all sizes, while proactive management and disaster recovery plans safeguard business continuity. Support for remote work and strategic IT planning further empower Irish businesses to adapt and thrive in a dynamic environment.

Ultimately, investing in robust IT support is not just about fixing problems—it is about building a resilient, innovative, and competitive organisation ready to meet the challenges of the future. For Irish businesses aiming to succeed in the digital age, partnering with expert IT support providers is an essential step towards sustainable growth and long-term success.

 

Building Digital Resilience: Strategies for Security Teams Under Pressure

As digital infrastructures expand, so too does the scope of risk. Enterprises no longer contend solely with perimeter breaches or isolated phishing attacks; they face a constantly shifting threat landscape shaped by geopolitics, emerging technologies, and the growing sophistication of adversaries. Security leaders are under pressure to adapt—not just reactively, but strategically.

Building resilience requires more than a solid firewall or frequent employee training. It’s about anticipating, responding, and recovering in a way that minimizes disruption and safeguards long-term operations. But doing so demands that cybersecurity programs mature beyond static controls and embrace continuous learning, contextual awareness, and intelligent prioritization.

Bridging the Gaps Between Risk, Strategy, and Action

Many organizations maintain a separation between risk governance and technical security operations. Compliance frameworks dictate controls, audits verify their implementation, and risk registers get updated annually. Meanwhile, security teams operate on a different cadence—responding to alerts, patching vulnerabilities, and investigating anomalies as they occur.

This disjointed approach leads to blind spots. Executives believe risk is under control because a framework has been followed. Security teams, however, may be aware of threats or attack paths that aren’t reflected in the documentation—or even properly understood by other departments.

Bridging this gap requires more than cross-functional meetings. It calls for a shared understanding of risk that is both technical and strategic. Security leaders must be fluent in the language of business impact, while decision-makers must recognize that cyber risks evolve faster than annual review cycles allow. When technical realities and business goals are misaligned, even a well-funded cybersecurity program can falter.

The Role of Contextual Awareness in Cyber Threat Intelligence and Incident Response

Security incidents don’t happen in a vacuum. Threat actors tailor their tactics based on industries, technologies, and even geopolitical developments. What matters is not just what happened, but why it happened, and what it means for future exposure.

This is where the convergence of cyber threat intelligence and incident response becomes critical. Together, they provide a cycle of insight and adaptation. Intelligence supplies the context—who is targeting your sector, what tools they use, and what signals might indicate reconnaissance or lateral movement. Incident response, on the other hand, applies that knowledge during high-pressure moments to reduce dwell time, contain impact, and improve response accuracy.

Organizations that invest in this synergy are better equipped to move beyond one-off incident reports. Instead, they build a threat-informed defense posture that continually adapts to new realities. This doesn’t require reinventing the SOC model, but it does mean integrating intelligence into both detection logic and post-incident reviews. The result is not just faster response—but smarter, more resilient defense cycles. [Insert link here]

Avoiding Tool Sprawl While Maximizing Operational Value

A common reflex when addressing gaps in security posture is to adopt new tools. Behavioral analytics, extended detection and response (XDR), and SOAR platforms all promise faster insights and better coordination. But without a clear integration plan, these technologies often introduce complexity faster than they add value.

Tool sprawl has both operational and psychological consequences. Analysts waste time switching between dashboards, reconciling conflicting alerts, or manually correlating data. Worse, leadership may assume that the presence of cutting-edge tools equates to effectiveness—when in reality, the team may be overwhelmed and underutilizing key capabilities.

The solution isn’t to avoid new technology altogether, but to pursue it deliberately. Start with clear objectives—what gap are you trying to close, and how will success be measured? Choose vendors that emphasize interoperability, not lock-in. And most importantly, invest in people. Even the most advanced threat detection platforms are only as effective as the analysts interpreting their output.

Building Toward a Culture of Preparedness

Cybersecurity has matured into a discipline of both prevention and recovery. As such, organizational culture matters as much as technology. Incident simulations should be routine, not exceptional. Cross-functional tabletop exercises should test both the technical and communicative response to hypothetical breaches. Post-mortems should be honest, blameless, and actionable.

Preparedness is not a state; it’s a practice. It involves executive buy-in, realistic planning, and a willingness to acknowledge uncertainty. No team can prevent every incident—but those that cultivate transparency, learning, and agility will fare far better when one occurs.

By focusing on strategic alignment, intelligent integration of threat intelligence and response, and a culture of readiness, organizations position themselves not only to endure attacks—but to emerge stronger from them.

SmartBear Makes GenAI-powered, No-Code Mobile App Testing Accessible to Every QA Professional with Reflect Mobile

SmartBear, a leading provider of software quality and visibility solutions, launched Reflect Mobile featuring HaloAI, expanding its no-code, GenAI-powered test automation platform to include native mobile apps. Previously for web applications, Reflect now supports comprehensive, cross-platform testing across web, mobile, and APIs in a single solution. With built-in support for frameworks like React Native and Flutter, users create reusable tests that run across both iOS and Android – no code required. GenAI powers a fast, intuitive experience using codeless actions or record-and-replay, eliminating traditional adoption barriers and enabling QA professionals of any skill level to generate robust, reliable tests.

“Mobile test automation remains complex and underserved for many QA organizations, even as it becomes a rapidly growing requirement,” said Prashant Mohan, VP of Product Management at SmartBear. “Reflect Mobile, a major step in advancing the SmartBear Test Hub strategy, which brings API, web, and mobile testing into one unified, intelligent solution, was built to help teams simplify mobile test automation. We’re committed to helping teams scale their software quality efforts without increasing complexity across tools and workflows.”
As mobile usage continues to grow, software teams face increasing pressure to deliver high quality mobile experiences. Yet mobile test automation remains a challenge, with many QA teams relying on manual testing or web-based workarounds that don’t scale well to mobile. Others adopt complex tools like Appium, which require technical expertise. Traditional mobile approaches depend on static locators, struggle with framework compatibility, and produce flaky tests. Reflect Mobile changes that, giving teams of all skill levels the ability to automate mobile app tests using no-code workflows, record-and-play functionality, and GenAI-driven test creation.

“Reflect completely transformed how I see front-end automation,” said Tommy Marín, QA Lead at Connect Assistance. “It showed me that automating complex flows doesn’t have to involve heavy code or tedious maintenance. The mobile testing experience mirrors what I love about web automation—it’s intuitive, innovative, and powered by AI-driven prompts that genuinely change the game. For my company, where we aim to automate integrated flows across both web and mobile platforms, this tool aligns perfectly with our goals and pushes us a step closer to full end-to-end automation.”

Reflect Mobile empowers manual and non-technical testers to build and maintain mobile test automation without needing scripting skills or engineering support. With built-in integrations for test management, CI/CD pipelines, and device grid providers, Reflect Mobile fits seamlessly into existing development and QA environments.

This launch marks a strategic expansion for SmartBear into the growing mobile-first market. Reflect was acquired by SmartBear in early 2024 as part of the company’s commitment to building the industry’s most intelligent and accessible testing platform. Since then, SmartBear has integrated Reflect’s natural language test creation, visual insight capabilities, and advanced AI automation into its growing suite of quality solutions.

Todd McNeal, Director of Product Management at SmartBear and co-founder of Reflect, presents an inside look at Reflect Mobile in today’s webinar, “AI-Powered Mobile Testing Is Here and It Changes Everything.” Register at: https://smartbear.com/resources/webinars/ai-powered-mobile-testing-is-here-and-it-changes-e/

For more information on Reflect Mobile, go to: https://reflect.run/mobile-testing/

Introba Opens New Dublin Office, Plans to Create 30 Sustainability-Focused Jobs

Introba, a global building engineering and consulting firm, announced the opening of its new office in Dublin, marking the company’s first location in Ireland. With support from the Irish government through IDA Ireland, Introba plans to create 30 new roles over the next five years, many of which will focus on sustainability and climate-focused engineering services.

The new Dublin-based team will support Ireland’s transition to a low-carbon economy, aligning with national climate goals of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and reaching net zero by 2050. Initially, the team will provide sustainability advisory, mechanical, and electrical engineering services to institutional, cultural, commercial, and science and technology sectors.

“Introba’s expansion into Dublin is a natural extension of our mission to engineer a better, more sustainable world,” said David Glossop, Managing Director for the UK and Europe. “We’re proud to bring our expertise to Ireland and to support ambitious national goals around the built environment and emissions reduction.”

Introba’s Dublin office is led by Adam McLoughlin, Director – Ireland, who brings more than 19 years of international experience across Canada, the UK, and the Middle East. He is joined by John Moore and Padraic Greed, both of whom bring deep experience in building trusted client relationships and leading successful project delivery. Their shared commitment to exceeding expectations will play a key role in establishing Introba’s presence in the Irish market.

The team’s presence in Dublin also strengthens Introba’s relationship with related brand, TYLin, a global, full-service engineering firm specializing in infrastructure solutions such as bridges, highways, transit, and facilities. TYLin is a leading brand within a global alliance of consulting and engineering firms, known for its technical expertise, local knowledge, and forward-looking insights. This connection reinforces Introba’s growing ties across the broader European market.

Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment Peter Burke said: “Congratulations to Introba on the opening of their first Irish office. The office will create 30 new sustainability and climate-focused engineering jobs in Dublin over the coming period, providing great opportunities for our talented engineering graduates. Introba’s focus is very much in line with the Government’s climate agenda, and we remain committed to supporting such initiatives. I wish to welcome the team and thank them for choosing Ireland for this investment. 

 

To learn more about Introba and its career opportunities in Ireland, visit www.introba.com.

Dell Technologies teams up with Technological University of the Shannon to develop new AI platform for advanced research

The Technological University of the Shannon (TUS) has joined forces with Dell Technologies to develop a new AI platform that will advance research in cybersecurity, sustainability, healthcare and robotics.

TUS established the Software Research Institute (SRI) with the goal to develop a leading national research lab, focused on driving innovation in the fields of cybersecurity, cloud-edge computing, robotic control, smart agriculture and healthcare. The new AI platform, powered by Dell PowerEdge servers, will help researchers gain real-time insights into large datasets and develop advanced AI models that power their research.

The new AI platform will also support a number of cutting-edge research projects undertaken by TUS and funded by Horizon Europe, the European Union’s key programme for research and innovation. This includes projects such as ResilMesh, which focuses on the cyber resilience of critical infrastructure and digital services. It aims to develop advanced tools and mechanisms to detect, prevent, and respond to increasingly sophisticated cyber threats and attacks.

Another key initiative is SoilCrates, which is dedicated to restoring and preserving soil health. Through improved soil literacy, real-time monitoring of soil structure, promotion of biodiversity, and optimisation of crop-growing conditions, the project aims to support a more sustainable and resilient agricultural ecosystem.

Additionally, the university is one of 17 research and development (R&D) centres in Ireland that runs research projects for the COMAND Technology Gateway Program that is set up in collaboration with Enterprise Ireland Innovation. Based at SRIs TUS Athlone campus, COMAND focuses on research and innovation in areas such as Augmenting User Interactions, End-to-end Applications and Intelligent Infrastructure. Under the COMAND program, the Dell-powered AI platform will be used to develop LLM-based chatbots to support programs around elderly care, automation of automotive assembly lines and robotics using imitation learning.

More broadly, the new AI platform will provide the university with powerful AI compute capabilities to support data-intensive research, helping to accelerate data analysis and automate repetitive tasks – boosting research productivity by up to 50%, according to studies. The high-performance Dell PowerEdge servers are purpose-built for demanding AI workloads, delivering exceptional computing power. The servers feature a Cyber Resilient Architecture that offers multi-layered security to safeguard systems, detect threats, and ensure end-to-end data protection. This provides researchers with an IT environment that can simulate complex attacks, identify weaknesses in IT systems more efficiently and provide more accurate analysis on emerging cyber threats for organisations.

Dr Yuansong Qiao, Senior Research Fellow, Software Research Institute at TUS, said: “Harnessing the power of AI has become increasingly important to advancing research in critical areas such as cybersecurity and robotics, which require analysis of increasingly large data sets. That’s why it’s crucial that TUS has the right infrastructure to manage the intensive workloads of advanced AI-powered research. Our collaboration with Dell Technologies delivers these capabilities and ensures that our researchers can now build highly complex AI models to examine and test more effective defense systems in cybersecurity and other domains.”

Jason Ward, EMEA North Vice-President and Managing Director of Dell Technologies Ireland, said: “As a global leader in compute, Dell Technologies is at the forefront of enterprise AI adoption, providing the cutting-edge technology and expertise that organisations in Ireland and worldwide need to adopt, scale and thrive with AI. This work represents a good example of Dell’s dedication to expanding Europe’s AI ecosystem, through our AI solutions and expertise making a real difference in critical industries like healthcare and sustainability. This high-performance AI infrastructure will accelerate groundbreaking research and empower innovation that shapes the future. .”

 As part of its long-standing relationship with TUS, Dell has provided a range of cloud computing, data centre and infrastructure solutions to the university, as well as laptops and endpoint devices.

Creative Launches Father’s Day Special Discounts

This Father’s Day, Creative Labs is honoring all the dads, father figures, and mentors out there with a special storewide discount! From June 9 to June 15, customers can enjoy 10% off all products sitewide using promo code DAD10 at checkout.
Whether your dad is a tech enthusiast, a gamer, a music lover, or someone who just appreciates high-quality sound and design, Creative Labs offers the perfect gift — from industry-leading audio solutions to innovative smart devices and accessories.
Top gift picks this Father’s Day include:
Pebble Nova – Our latest premium 2.0 USB-C Speakers with Coaxial Drivers, perfect for music, movies, or work-from-home setups.  See our review
Ace Mimi – A premium wireless speaker with Mimi Sound Personalization andBluetooth® LE Audio, ideal for dads who appreciate great sound tailored just for them.
Sound Blaster G8 – A high-performance external dual USB gaming DAC and amplifier, made for dads who game or demand the best audio for their entertainment.
Sound Blaster GS3 & GS5 Soundbars – Engineered for immersive soundscapes, these high-performance soundbars bring cinematic audio to your dad’s favorite games, movies, and playlists.
Sale Details:
  • Discount: 10% Off Storewide
  • Promo Code: DAD10
  • Offer Valid: June 9 – June 15, 2025

See our reviews

Shop now at www.creativelabs.com and make this Father’s Day one to remember.

Doro Aurora A30 unboxing and UI walkthrough

Recently Doro introduced a new trio of devices to their portfolio for 2025 which was the Aurora A10  Aurora A20  and the device we have here today the Doro Aurora A30 the top of the range device.

Aimed at more capable seniors you could say this is a fully fledged Android device with their own Doro Easy Interface on top which you can easily switch around from one to the other and an important feature on board is TeamViewer which enables others to access the phone in real time for those in need, we can look at this later on.

A recent Doro study revealed that 51% of seniors worry about pressing the wrong thing on their devices, while 49% struggle with app navigation. To address these challenges, the phones feature three physical buttons for easy calling and a dedicated home key, making navigation simpler for all users, including those with impaired sight or dexterity. The devices, with the buttons and their streamlined interface, also provide quick access to Google Gemini features.  With loud and clear sound quality powered by Doro ClearSound, they ensure crystal-clear communication.

Over the next few weeks we will be testing this device out and if you have any questions need answering feel free to ask us on all our socials and do check out the unboxing video below for more and watch out for more videos..

Unboxing Video

 

The  Doro Aurora A30 features

  • Doro Secure™ Button – One-touch access to immediate support and assistance.
  • Doro Easy™ Interface – A simplified smartphone experience tailored for all users.
  • Loud and Clear Sound – Doro ClearSound ensures optimised audio for enhanced clarity.
  • Remote Support – Loved ones can provide assistance remotely, reducing stress and ensuring a seamless experience.
  • Eco-Friendly Design – Crafted with recycled materials, reflecting Doro’s commitment to sustainability.
  • Easy charging – The Doro Aurora wireless charger makes charging easy and seamlessly blends into the home environment. It is ideal for hands-free video calling and comes with a dimmable light to be able to see at night easily. Available for purchase separately to the phones or as a bundle.

BUY

Other Doro News 

UI walkthrough Video 

Microsoft recognises NextGen of STEM and AI leaders at Microsoft Dream Space Showcase

The third annual Microsoft Dream Space Showcase brought together students from across Ireland to demonstrate how their STEM and AI skills developed during the programme can tackle real-world challenges. Held over three days at Microsoft’s Dublin campus, and supported by three additional regional showcase events, the initiative saw more than 800 students present over 110 innovative projects, providing inspiring solutions to many of today’s environmental, health, wellbeing, and accessibility challenges. From earthquake sensors and plant health monitors to food waste trackers and inclusive communication tools, the projects reflect a wide range of creative, impactful ideas developed by the next generation of STEM leaders.

Launched in 2018, Microsoft Dream Space was designed to provide young people with an opportunity to participate in immersive, research-based STEM experiences to enhance their STEM skills and shift their perceptions about the role technology can play in their future careers. Delivered through a mix of in-person, virtual, on-demand, and community-based programmes, today, Microsoft Dream Space is providing every primary and post-primary student*, as well as their teachers, across the island of Ireland with the opportunity to engage in STEM and AI learning experiences that will equip them with the skills that are required to fully participate in the era of AI.

The Microsoft Dream Space Showcase was launched three years ago with the objective of extending access to the programme’s learning content and supports to students and their teachers in rural communities in collaboration with the Department of Rural and Community Development and local county councils.

Since the first event in 2023, student participation in the Microsoft Dream Space Showcase has grown significantly, with a near 200% increase in project submissions highlighting the growing enthusiasm among this young cohort to apply their STEM and AI knowledge in creative and impactful ways. Students and teachers from communities in Longford, Cork, Mayo, Tipperary, Monaghan and Waterford have been the most engaged in the initiative, with the number of communities involved continuing to grow each year.

As part of the initiative, students embark on a year-long learning journey that combines in-class activities, digital resources, and in-person programme engagement. Using content from three Dream Space TV series – Full STEAM Ahead, Code Green, and brAIn_waves – students develop skills in coding, computational thinking, sustainability, and AI, laying the groundwork for their participation in the Showcase.

The learning journey culminates in the Microsoft Dream Space Showcase where students travel to One Microsoft Place to demonstrate the many ways in which their newly developed STEM skills can help solve real-world problems. From climate action to inclusive design, the projects presented at the Showcase address key challenges linked to the UN Global Goals, demonstrating how technology and creativity can come together to drive positive change.

This year, Microsoft is celebrating its 40th year of innovating and investing in Ireland. To mark this milestone, the company gave a special ‘NextGen 40’ award at the Microsoft Dream Space Showcase to 6th class students from St Marys National School in Edgeworthstown, County Longford for their inspiring project, ‘The Eco-town’. Building on the knowledge and skills that the students developed over the past year, the students created multiple micro:bit devices through coding to transform Edgeworthstown into an eco-town. They focused on key areas such as safety, recycling, and solar energy. As part of the project, the students built a prototype of their local town to demonstrate how their micro:bits would function, offering a clear vision of how technology can enhance sustainability in their community and empower them to achieve more.

James O’Connor, Microsoft Ireland Site Leader and Corporate Vice President Microsoft Global Operations Service Centre, said: “As Microsoft celebrates 40 years in Ireland, we are incredibly proud to have students from across the country visit our campus in Leopardstown to showcase the STEM and AI projects they have developed using the digital skills that they have gained throughout their year-long Dream Space journey. With AI transforming how we learn, live and work, it’s vital that every young student, irrespective of their background, can engage confidently in STEM and AI learning.

“The Dream Space Showcase is a powerful reflection of what’s possible when students are given the skills and confidence to explore STEM and AI. This year’s event brought together hundreds of young innovators who used these skills to tackle real-world challenges. Their projects show that the next generation is not just ready to participate in the digital world – they are ready to shape it.

“As we look to the future, Microsoft remains committed to skilling up the next generation. Through Microsoft Dream Space and our broader Skill Up Ireland initiatives, we’re working to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to build the skills they need for the era of AI and is empowered to achieve more.”

Part of the winning team of the NextGen 40 award at this year’s Microsoft Dream Space Showcase, 6th class student Róisin from St. Marys National School in Edgeworthstown, Co. Longford said “We have really enjoyed the Microsoft Dream Space Showcase experience. We loved learning more about STEM and how technology can be used to tackle problems. With my classmates I worked on a project called ’The Eco-town’. For it we used micro:bits to create solutions focused on safety, recycling, and solar energy to make our community more sustainable. It was amazing to see how technology can have a positive impact in the area we live in. We were delighted to win the award.”

 

Reflecting on the impact of Microsoft Dream Space in her classroom, Shannon Boyle a teacher from St. Marys National School Edgeworthstown, Co. Longford said “Microsoft Dream Space has become a vital part of how we teach STEM in our school. The resources are easy to integrate into our day-to-day curriculum and allow us to connect learning to real-world challenges, helping students see how technology can shape their futures. This year, our students won the ‘NextGen 40’ award at Microsoft Dream Space Showcase for The Eco-town—a project tackling sustainability, safety, recycling, and renewable energy in our community. It’s been inspiring to watch them apply coding and digital tools to create practical solutions for Edgeworthstown. Our school moto is ‘Education for Life’. We live this moto out every day and we’re excited to apply this commitment towards bringing STEM to life for the students in our school.”

 

To learn more about Microsoft Dream Space or to access the latest learning resources, visit: https://dreamspace.microsoft.com/en-us/dreamspace/ireland