Tag: #dublin

Ookla partners with Dublin City Council to tackle telecoms deficits in the city

Today, Ookla, a global leader in connectivity intelligence, announces its partnership with Dublin City Council and the City Telecoms Association to identify and tackle telecoms deficits in Dublin. This first-of-its-kind initiative, fueled by Ookla’s Speedtest Insights®, offers a practical blueprint for l cities across Europe to drive digital inclusion and optimise network outcomes through actionable, data-driven insights.
The partnership demonstrates how a data-driven approach can enhance connectivity outcomes in a tangible way, empowering cities to better serve citizens. For the first time, the city is addressing connectivity gaps through targeted policy interventions, and fostering collaborative efforts with operators to attract investments that were previously hindered by site acquisition challenges.
You can find the full partnership case study here with more information about the five high-impact use cases created by Dublin City Council using Ookla’s network intelligence data.
Key points from the study:
  • Telecoms strategy and digital inclusion:  A proactive data-driven telecom strategy aimed at bridging digital divides, with significant analysis of how socio-economic factors affect connectivity outcomes, especially in areas with high social deprivation.
  • Identification of connectivity gaps: Ookla’s real-world data has enabled DCC to pinpoint key areas in Dublin with significant connectivity issues, influencing policy and planning to prioritise interventions where they are most needed.
  • Innovative use of city assets: Dublin’s approach to leveraging city-owned assets for telecom infrastructure, including facilitating multi-operator site access, represents a strategic move to optimise asset use and reduce urban clutter, aligned with EU regulatory goals​.
  • Transparency and public engagement: The Council has launched a public educational initiative on telecom infrastructure, including visualisations of before-and-after network improvements from new site deployments, to engage citizens and increase acceptance of new infrastructure.
  • Comparative benchmarking in Europe: Through Ookla’s data, Dublin has gained insights into its telecom performance relative to other European cities, highlighting areas of competitive strength in 5G availability and identifying room for improvement in 4G speeds​.
Key data and methodology:
  • The collaboration saw Ookla collect Speedtest® network data across the city over two 12-month periods (June 2022-June 2023 and June 2023-June 2024) with a sample size in the tens of millions; creating the most comprehensive analysis of mobile network performance ever conducted at the city level in Ireland.
  • Leveraging Ookla’s Speedtest® Insights platform, DCC were able to integrate other data sources, such as internal city asset registries, mobile site location maps from Ireland’s telecoms regulator ComReg, and social deprivation data from Pobal.
  • Geospatial analysis created a localised tile-based grid across the entire city to categorise mobile network performance at different times of the day. Performance was evaluated against two metrics; signal strength and download speed. Each location tile was categorised as unacceptable if it had less than 11 dBm signal strength and 5 Mbps download speed. Anything above 11 dBM and 5 Mbps was categorised as ‘acceptable’.

Google to provide 500 Scholarships to local community to increase AI skills

Minister Eamon Ryan TD will today officially unveil a new community led Digital Training Academy for the Docklands area to support ongoing digital skills training for the community with a particular focus on promoting AI skills. 

The new academy has been  funded by a Google.org grant and  has been developed by This City Works, a partnership between Dublin city-based community employment services and Google Ireland, helping job seekers in Dublin find the right employment opportunities. As part of the Digital Academy, Google will also provide funding to support 500 AI Essentials Certificates for the community.  

The AI Essentials Certificate is an online self-paced course designed to help people across roles and industries learn AI skills to boost their productivity. The Digital Academy will also offer people the opportunity to achieve QQI level awards across various disciplines. As the first community-based centre of its kind, the Digital Training Academy represents a significant step in delivering certified training programmes to the local community. 

Speaking about the launch Minister Eamon Ryan TD said:

“The launch of this Digital Training Academy will give people the essential digital and AI skills needed to thrive in an ever-evolving society and work environment. Together Google.org and This City Works are opening doors for people to gain practical knowledge that can boost their confidence, their skills as well as their career and employment prospects. It’s an academy for today that equips people for their futures and reflects the ongoing commitment of This City Works to the docklands and to supporting jobseekers and employers operating in an increasingly digital world.”

Ryan Meade, Public Policy Lead at Google Ireland, said:

 

“Since 2022, This City Works has helped over 4,000 people access skills development and employment opportunities. Google Ireland is proud to support these important initiatives and the Digital Academy will be a powerful resource for ongoing skills training in the community. AI has the potential to address society’s biggest challenges, and Google is committed to ensuring people from all backgrounds have access to the skills needed to navigate and harness this technology responsibly. By working together, we’re preparing our community to thrive in the digital age and ensuring AI training is accessible to everyone.”

Joe Donnelly, This City Works, said:

“At This City Works, we believe in the transformative power of education and community collaboration. The launch of the Digital Training Academy and the provision of 500 AI Essentials Certificates represent a significant step towards empowering local residents. By offering essential skills training and support, we aim to create sustainable employment opportunities for those who need it most. Together with our partners, we are dedicated to fostering an inclusive environment where everyone has the chance to succeed and thrive in today’s digital economy.”

To find out more about the Digital Academy, contact info@fairplaycafe.ie 

Big Red Cloud partners with GoCardless to streamline payments for accountants and SMEs

Big Red Cloud, the Dublin headquartered online accounting software business and UK’s GoCardless, the bank payment company, have expanded their relationship. Through Big Red Cloud’s integration of GoCardless’ payment capabilities into its platform, its customers can now, for the first time, use Direct Debit to automatically collect and reconcile recurring payments from their own clients directly.

In addition to helping accountants and SMEs reduce late payments and bad debt, the integration project will also free up time so they can focus on client-facing activities.

In a further initiative, before the end of 2024,  Big Red Cloud will also add GoCardless’ open banking-powered payment feature, Instant Bank Pay. This will provide accountants an alternative for instant, one-off payments without the high fees associated with traditional card transactions.

Marc O’Dwyer, CEO at Big Red Cloud said: “We are really pleased to be expanding our relationship with GoCardless. As a customer already using GoCardless for our own business, it was a natural step for us to look at how we might bring these benefits to our customers.

“Our goal is to simplify financial management for accountants, and a large part of that is making sure they have access to the latest payment technology. By partnering with innovators such as GoCardless, we are able to deliver – and we know first-hand how it revolutionises the payment experience for the better.”

Jolawn Victor, Chief Growth Officer at GoCardless, said: “We believe accountants should be successful because of the valuable advice and services they provide to clients. Building on our relationship with Big Red Cloud enables us to bring faster, cheaper and more secure payments to our joint merchants and their customers, freeing up time for accountants who can take payments off their list and get back to serving their clients.”

The partnership strengthens GoCardless’ position in the accounting sector, building on existing integrations with a number of major players in the space.

Big Red Cloud is based in Dun Laoghaire in South Dublin and has 75,000 online customers for its accounting software products.

Dublin Drone Innovation Partnership will shape the future of urban air mobility

A two-year in-depth study to help prepare Dublin and other European cities for the widespread use of drones in commercial and civic life has been launched today at the offices of Dublin City Council, by the Minister of State at the Department of Transport and the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, James Lawless T.D.

The project is led by a research team from Lero, the Research Ireland Centre for Software and Maynooth University, in collaboration with Dublin City Council (DCC), and the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA).

Speaking at the launch, Minister Lawless said: “Ireland has an established record of leadership in regulation of emerging technologies. As drones begin to be used more and more across the globe, at home we have seen them supplying emergency medicines, delivering fast food, used for search and rescue purposes and to enhance public safety among a range of important applications. Earlier this year, the Government held a public consultation on the development of a policy framework for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), commonly referred to as drones. The research partnership being launched today, between Lero, Maynooth University, Dublin City Council and the Irish Aviation Authority, with stakeholder engagement at its heart, is very much aligned with Government’s efforts to foster the industry’s growth while mitigating safety, security, environmental, privacy, and other concerns.”

Welcoming the announcement, Dr Ciarán Seoighe, Deputy CEO of Taighde Éireann – Research Ireland, the newly established research and innovation funding agency, said: “Research Ireland supports partnerships such as this to bring key stakeholders together, to drive progress and capitalise on the advantages offered by innovative and disruptive technologies. While exploring emerging technologies and systems to capture data and support responses to critical events, this collaborative approach helps us to better understand its potential benefits and impact on wider society. Investing in basic research is of strategic importance to Research Ireland, as it allows us to support a pipeline of transformative solutions to bring about real-world benefits.”

Project Coordinator Professor Tim McCarthy of Maynooth University and LERO believes the project is particularly timely as unmanned drone ecosystems are beginning to emerge globally and involve a wide variety of stakeholders and end-users.

A vital aspect of the research project, according to Prof. McCarthy, will be the creation of a digital twin for Dublin City to explore and simulate urban drone flight ecosystems, allowing researchers to address issues that emerge in a safe and controlled environment.

“This digital twin will capture inputs from all stakeholders, enable simulation of drone activities and provide prototype digital optimisation services in addressing various business, market, safety, privacy, nuisance and environmental concerns,” he added.

The partnership will also deliver a number of ‘state of the art’ drone applications to show the benefits of autonomous and remote piloting of drones to support life-saving and emergency response applications in a Dublin City setting.

“This unique drone innovation partnership will contribute to Dublin City Council’s Drone and Urban Air Mobility Strategy 2024-2029, an ambitious roadmap to support the integration of drones into city services and position Dublin and Ireland as a European leader in Drones and Urban Air Mobility,” said Jamie Cudden, Smart City Lead Dublin City Council.

Enda Walsh, manager of the IAA’s UAS division, believes the partnership will deliver crucial insights for safely integrating UAS into urban environments while maximising benefits to society, and laying the foundation for developing UAS Traffic Management (UTM) for the State.

“The Drone Innovation Partnership project will look at stakeholder concerns and provide crucial information and analysis of the key aspects around security, environment, and privacy for UAS integration into urban environments. It will also support the future establishment of a comprehensive and effective UTM infrastructure for the State, which provides a safe environment for all air traffic while facilitating a growing UAS industry.”

 

Dublin City Council Dublin Winter Lights announces the launch of a Video Mapping Competition

Dublin City Council Dublin Winter Lights is delighted to announce the launch of a Video Mapping competition for NCAD students in partnership with The Embassy of France in Ireland. Launched as part of the Digital Arts – Créativité & Innovation Tour in Ireland a workshop was hosted in NCAD and led by world-leading French digital artist Maxime Touroute, the competition aims to develop the medium of Video Mapping in Ireland.

Dublin City Council Dublin Winter Lights, in association with The Embassy of France in Ireland and NCAD will present a showcase of Video Mapping on Newcomen Bank, Dublin. All student competition entries will be projected onto the facade of one of Dublin’s finest Georgian buildings, Newcomen Bank, as part of the annual Dublin City Council Dublin Winter Lights festival in December. This will be a great opportunity for members of the public to see an array of video mapping artworks by emerging artists.

The prize for the winning entry is sponsored by The Embassy of France in Ireland. The winning entrant(s) will attend the IBSIC Video Mapping Conference and associated Video Mapping Festival in Lille France.

The partnership between Dublin City Council Dublin Winter Lights and The Embassy of France in Ireland fosters creative innovation and develops connections in the cultural and creative industries between Ireland and France.

Chargebee accelerates European expansion with new Dublin office

Chargebee, a leading provider of innovative subscription billing and revenue growth management solutions to global B2B and consumer-serving business, today announced the opening of its new office in Dublin, Ireland. This marks a significant milestone in Chargebee’s international expansion, reinforcing its commitment to its thriving European customer base. The move is supported by the Irish Government through the Investment Development Agency (IDA) Ireland.

The decision to expand into Dublin aligns with Chargebee’s strategy to accelerate growth and enhance its market presence across Europe. With a significant number of Chargebee’s customers already based in Europe, and an existing European HQ in Amsterdam, expanding to Dublin – home to leading SaaS and technology companies – will enable Chargebee to further its mission of empowering businesses to maximise growth potential and revenue.

Over the next three years, Chargebee plans to grow its Dublin team to 50 people, focusing on serving and expanding its customer base brands, including xSellco, Oddbox, Personio and Typeform. As part of the expansion initiative, Chargebee Chief Marketing Officer Guy Marion will relocate to Dublin, reinforcing executive commitment to the region. Chargebee continues to be recognised as a leader in subscription billing and revenue growth management, finding innovative ways to help customers through their whole quote to cash flow, from billing to customer retention.

“Dublin’s thriving tech ecosystem and access to world-class talent make it the perfect location for Chargebee’s European expansion. We’re excited to create a fantastic workplace for our new team members while driving growth in the region, and tapping into Dublin’s pool of skilled tech talent to drive our mission forward,” said Krish Subramanian, CEO of Chargebee. “We have had a long association with Dublin through our local customers and partners. This is an exciting development in Chargebee’s journey.”

Michael Lohan, CEO of IDA Ireland said: ‘’I am delighted that Chargebee is planning to establish in Ireland and hire up to 50 employees in the next three years. Ireland offers a great opportunity for companies like Chargebee to leverage growth for the EMEA region. The decision to expand their team is a testament to the strong talent pool and the vibrant tech ecosystem that Ireland offers. I would like to wish Chargebee every success here.’’

Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Peter Burke TD said ““I welcome the news that Chargebee has chosen Dublin for their new European office. Dublin is well-established as a leading global hub for tech companies, and having Chargebee here is another vote of confidence. Chargebee are targeting EMEA future growth, and the expansion will also include 50 positions over the coming years, which is welcome news for our graduates and skilled workforce.”

Dublin Portal expands to include 2 cities in Poland and Lithuania

Dublin City Council is delighted to announce that 2 extra cities have been added to the Portal.

So now as well as connecting with New York, people on North Earl St will be able to see Vilnius in Lithuania and Lublin in Poland.

The livestreams will rotate every 180 seconds, beginning from today and forming a global network.

“The Portal in Dublin has attracted over 340,000 visitors since its launch in May and has brought a new lease of life to North Earl Street,” said the Lord Mayor of Dublin, James Geoghegan. “We are delighted to see the network of cities expand to Vilnius and Lublin and look forward to seeing more people enjoy the Portals experience.”

The Vilnius Portal is positioned adjacent to the city’s central station, and the Lublin Portal is located on the central city square, Litewski Square. “We are delighted today to welcome Dublin and New York – the next cities to join this unique project. We are excited that our Portal is growing in reach and popularity, opening up unlimited opportunities for communication and collaboration on an international scale. Thanks to the installation, we can now peek into New York’s Manhattan and Dublin’s city centre, share culture, experiences and initiate new projects together” said Beata Stepaniuk-Kuśmierzak, Deputy Mayor of the City of Lublin for Culture, Sport and Participation.

Having been at the centre of global media attention, Portals have emerged as iconic landmarks, generating billions of online impressions and attracting an average of 25,000 weekly visitors onsite in Dublin. On the Flatiron South Plaza in New York City, foot traffic surged by 47% over the 2023 monthly average.

Previously connected in pairs (NYC to Dublin, and Vilnius to Lublin) the sculptures have fostered diverse interactions across the cities, including vibrant dance competitions, cultural performances and successful marriage proposals. This next chapter of the Portals journey realizes the original mission of the project by evolving from two-city connections to a first-of-its-kind, global artwork that invites people from multiple countries to meet in a spirit of unity.

“We can discover how similar we all are through the use of portals, which connect us to a shared network that brings people from different places and cultures closer together. I hope that this idea, which originated in Lithuania, will continue to grow and connect the entire world, allowing people to better understand each other.” said Aušrinė Armonaitė, Minister of the Economy and Innovation of Lithuania

“We are thrilled to finally connect all four Portal sculptures together,” said Benediktas Gylys, founder and artist of portals.org. “The Portals mission is about building multiple Portals, which together form a global entity – a bridge to a united planet that invites people of distant cultures to meet above borders, differences and narratives. It took us eight years to arrive at this special day and we are grateful for the consistent support from our partners in Dublin, New York City, Vilnius, and Lublin. The current four Portals form the foundation of a network that will expand later this year, bringing Portals to even more countries around planet Earth.” 

Visitors to the Portals will be able to meet each other in real time across four different time zones and engage in this global artwork. The network rotation is active daily from 1pm to 8pm in Dublin/ 8am to 3pm in NYC/ 2pm to 9pm in Lublin / 3pm to 10pm in Vilnius. More Portal locations are being added to the network later this year.

EHS International Launches New Dublin Offices Following Major Investment

EHS International, a leading Irish environmental, health, and safety (EHS) company founded by Chris Mee, has announced the official opening of its new offices in Ballymount, Dublin. This expansion is part of a significant investment nationally by EHS International, underscoring the company’s commitment to advancing EHS standards across Ireland and beyond. Since leaving his previous company, Chris Mee has invested €5 million in the setting up of his new enterprise.
The newly renovated 10,000 square-foot facility at IFC House, 23 Ballymount Road Upper, Kilnamanagh, Co Dublin, is a comprehensive training centre with collaborative spaces. EHS International offers a wide range of services from this location, including specialised EHS training, consultancy, and occupational health services. There is also ample car parking on site.
Leading the Dublin team is Robert Butler, recently appointed as the Dublin Director for Operations & Training. With 12 dedicated professionals operating out of the Dublin office and a team of over 100 employees spanning Ireland and the UK, EHS International is poised to reinforce its position as the fastest-growing provider of integrated EHS solutions, having launched in October 2023.
The opening of the Dublin office marks a significant milestone in EHS International’s journey to becoming a global leader in EHS services. Speaking on the launch, Chris Mee, CEO of EHS International, said: “Our new Dublin headquarters represents a crucial step in our expansion strategy, allowing us to better serve our clients in the Dublin and Leinster area.”
Robert Butler, Dublin Director for Operations & Training added: “This new office is a testament to our growth and our dedication to providing unparalleled EHS services including Safety and Fire specialised training and EHS consultancy. We look forward to working more closely with our Dublin and Leinster clients from this new state of the art centre of excellence.”
Leveraging over three decades of expertise, the company offers a comprehensive suite of services, including EHS consultancy, Fire & EHS Services, training, occupational health & recruitment, solutions to businesses on a national and international scale. For more information about EHS International and its services, visit ehsinternational.com.

Why Search Engine Optimisation is Important for Dublin Businesses

Nowadays, it is essential for businesses of all sizes to have a substantial online presence. For Dublin businesses, in particular, search engine optimisation (SEO) plays a critical role in creating visibility, driving traffic, and ultimately, increasing revenue. Below, we have a look at why SEO is important for Dublin businesses and how they can leverage it to achieve their goals.

The Digital Landscape in Dublin

Dublin is not only the capital of Ireland but also a bustling hub for business and innovation. With a vibrant tech scene, numerous startups, and established companies, the competition for online visibility is fierce. Consumers in Dublin, like elsewhere, rely heavily on search engines to find products, services, and information. Therefore, appearing on the first page of search engine results is critical for businesses looking to attract local customers.

Why SEO Matters for Dublin Businesses

 

  1. Increased Visibility

 

When potential customers search for products or services online, they are more likely to click on the top results. SEO helps businesses rank higher on search engine results pages (SERPs), increasing their visibility and chances of attracting clicks. For Dublin businesses, appearing at the top of local search results can make a significant difference in attracting local customers.

 

  1. Targeted Traffic

 

SEO is not just about attracting any traffic; it’s about attracting the right traffic. By optimising for specific keywords and phrases related to their business, Dublin companies can attract visitors who are actively searching for what they offer. This targeted approach ensures that the traffic coming to their website is more likely to convert into customers.

 

  1. Cost-Effective Marketing

 

Compared to traditional forms of advertising, SEO is highly cost-effective. While there are costs associated with SEO services in Dublin and tools, the long-term benefits far outweigh the investment. In most cases, organic traffic generated by search engine optimisation is completely free. This makes SEO a sustainable marketing strategy for Dublin businesses with limited budgets.

 

  1. Building Credibility and Trust

 

Ranking high on search engine results not only drives traffic but also builds credibility and trust. Consumers tend to trust businesses that appear at the top of search results more than those that do not. A well-optimised website with high-quality content signals to search engines and users that the business is reputable and authoritative in its field.

 

  1. Competitive Advantage

 

In a competitive market like Dublin, businesses need every advantage they can get. Those that invest in SEO are more likely to outperform their competitors who do not. By staying ahead of the latest SEO trends and best practices, Dublin businesses can maintain a competitive edge and attract more customers.

 

Key SEO Strategies for Dublin Businesses

 

  1. Local SEO

 

For businesses targeting customers in Dublin, local SEO is paramount according to PRO SEO Dublin. This involves optimising the website for local search terms and ensuring the business appears in local search results. Key strategies include:

 

– Creating and optimizing a Google My Business profile.

 

– Ensuring the business name, address, and phone number (NAP) are consistent across all online platforms.

 

– Collecting and managing online reviews.

 

– Optimising for local keywords, such as “best coffee shop in Dublin.”

 

  1. Quality Content

 

Content is the backbone of SEO. Dublin businesses should focus on creating high-quality, relevant content that addresses the needs and interests of their target audience. This includes blog posts, articles, videos, and other forms of content that provide value and engage users. Regularly updating the website with fresh content also signals to search engines that the site is active and relevant.

 

  1. Mobile Optimisation

 

With a significant number of users accessing the internet via mobile devices, having a mobile-friendly website is essential. Google prioritises mobile-friendly sites in its search rankings, so Dublin businesses must ensure their websites are responsive and provide a seamless experience on all devices.

 

  1. Technical SEO

 

Technical SEO involves optimising the backend of the website to improve its performance and ensure it meets search engine requirements. This includes:

 

– Ensuring fast page load times.

 

– Fixing broken links and ensuring proper site architecture.

 

– Using structured data to help search engines understand the content.

 

– Implementing SSL certificates for secure connections.

 

  1. Backlink Building

 

The importance of backlinks or inbound links from reputable websites is a crucial aspect of search engine optimisation. They tell search engines that the website is trustworthy and authoritative. Dublin businesses can build backlinks by:

 

– Creating valuable and shareable content.

 

– Collaborating with local influencers and bloggers.

 

– Participating in industry forums and online communities.

 

– Leveraging partnerships with other businesses.

 

Measuring SEO Success

 

To ensure their SEO efforts are paying off, Dublin businesses need to track and measure their performance. Key metrics to monitor include:

 

– Bounce Rate: The percentage of visitors who leave the site after viewing only one page.

 

– Organic Traffic: The number of visitors coming to the website through organic search.

 

– Keyword Rankings: The position of the website for target keywords in search results.

 

– Conversion Rates: The percentage of visitors who take a desired action, such as filling out a contact form or buying something.

 

– Backlinks: The number and quality of inbound links pointing to the website.

 

Conclusion

Search engine optimisation is a vital component of digital marketing for Dublin businesses. By increasing visibility, driving targeted traffic, and building credibility, SEO helps businesses thrive in a competitive market. Implementing effective SEO strategies, such as local SEO, quality content creation, mobile optimisation, technical SEO, and backlink building, can significantly impact a business’s online success. 

As the digital landscape continues to evolve, staying ahead of SEO trends and best practices will ensure Dublin businesses remain competitive and continue to attract and retain customers.