Ireland’s Edge line-up revealed ahead of Dingle STEAM showcase

10 Nov 2016

Road to Dunquin Harbour, Dingle Peninsula. Image: Greg Fellmann/Shutterstock

The line-up for the second Ireland’s Edge conference taking place in Dingle, Co Kerry this December has been revealed, including some of Ireland’s leading figures in the world of science, technology, engineering, art and maths (STEAM).

The Ireland’s Edge conference is part of the Other Voices festival, held in one of the country’s most picturesque locations on 3 and 4 December and hosted by Inspirefest 2017 speaker Philip King.

As the second conference of its kind at the festival, Ireland’s Edge in 2016 will focus on how the advent of STEAM could impact on Ireland’s distinct cultural identity, both at home and abroad, and our competitive advantage internationally.

Familiar Inspirefest names

Some familiar faces to those following Inspirefest and Siliconrepublic.com have been included in the line-up of speakers and performers, including the latter’s CEO and co-founder Ann O’Dea, as well as Zoe Philpott, the creator of the critically acclaimed show Ada.Ada.Ada.

Day one of the conference is expected to begin with a keynote address from Dr Genevieve Bell, an Intel Fellow who works within its corporate strategy group.

This will be followed by a discussion on how the creativity of the Irish people provides the country with a considerable advantage internationally, and how Ireland plans to harness this energy for future generations.

Other speakers confirmed for the first day include Eamonn Sinnott, VP and general manager of Intel Ireland; John Mulholland, editor for The Observer; Martin Shanahan, CEO of IDA Ireland; and musician Caoimhín O’Raghallaigh.

Speakers from across the spectrum

The second day will focus on Ireland’s experiences of emigration in the 21st century, the Irish diaspora and the emerging drivers of cultural identity for the Irish overseas.

These series of talks will include speakers like broadcaster and DJ, Annie Mac, as well as senior editor for news at CNN Digital International, Blathnaid Healy.

This will be followed by a look at Ireland in 2016 and the evolution in our understanding of the Easter Rising 1916; the impact of the wide range of public, private, state and ceremonial celebrations; and the future of the 2016 legacy projects planned through 2017– 2021.

This panel will be hosted by professor of modern Irish history at University College Dublin, author and broadcaster, Diarmaid Ferriter and will include director of Ireland 2016, John Concannon alongside journalist, author and broadcaster, Una Mullally.

Speaking of the influence of such an event, King said: “In recent years, we have widened the programme to include thinkers, creators and leaders from across the worlds of culture, politics and enterprise and Ireland’s Edge is the culmination of many of these conversations.

“In partnership with returning sponsors Intel, Ireland’s Edge will again play host to a stellar line-up of speakers from right across the spectrum of politics, media, business and art.”

Colm Gorey was a senior journalist with Silicon Republic

editorial@siliconrepublic.com