Donegal Digital

21/08/2026

🌿 Digital innovation in action at Glenveagh National Park

An Binse Cliste – The Smart Bench has officially opened in Glenveagh, demonstrating how creative design, environmental monitoring and digital technology can work together to enhance the visitor experience.

Powered by solar energy, the bench collects information on bird activity, air quality, dark-sky conditions and visitor numbers. Visitors can scan a QR code to access a companion app, explore the environmental data and listen to recordings of local birdsong.

Delivered through the Data2Sustain European Digital Innovation Hub, the Smart Bench is a strong example of the innovative digital capabilities being developed in County Donegal. It will support environmental awareness, citizen science and more sustainable, data-driven tourism.

Further installations are planned for Fort Dunree and Connemara National Park.

20/08/2026

🚀 Applications are now open for the 2026 AI Accelerator Programme

Artificial Intelligence is no longer a future consideration, it's becoming a key driver of productivity, competitiveness and innovation across every sector.

The National AI Studio at AIM Centre is now recruiting for the next cohorts of its AI Accelerator Programme, designed to help manufacturing and professional services companies move from AI strategy to practical implementation.

Last year, more than 20 companies completed the programme, identifying over 50 high-value AI opportunities across their organisations.

Over six weeks, participants will:
✅ Identify AI opportunities within their business
✅ Prioritise the initiatives with the greatest commercial impact
✅ Work with AIM Centre's technical team to develop a working AI demonstrator using their own business data
✅ Leave with a practical roadmap for AI implementation and scaling

📅 2026 Cohorts
26 Aug – 30 Sept (Hybrid) |📍 AIM Centre, Sligo
28 Oct – 2 Dec (Hybrid) |📍 CREW Enterprise Innovation Hub, Galway

The programme is delivered in a hybrid format, making it accessible to businesses across Ireland.

💶 Eligible SMEs receive 80% funding through the European Commission's De Minimis Aid framework, reducing the company contribution to €4,500.

If your business is ready to move beyond the AI hype and start delivering real business value, I'd encourage you to find out more.
🔗 Register your interest: https://share-eu1.hsforms.com/1Ad-mcc1pQlOg_YV01X8eXg2drsn0

The National AI Studio is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union through the ERDF Northern & Western Regional Programme 2021–2027.

19/08/2026

📢 Final call - applications close at 5pm TODAY 📢

Apply now if you reside or work in the North West cross-border region and PEACEPLUS Programme Area and want to re-skill or up-skill in the Digital space.

The North West Digital Employment Pathways Training Hub (NW DEPTH) is supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB).

18/08/2026

📢 DisrupTech on Tour is coming to Letterkenny

Companies, researchers and innovators are invited to attend DisrupTech on Tour on Tuesday, 1 September 2026, followed by an afternoon tour of the WiSAR Lab and Technology Gateway at Atlantic Technological University.

The morning session at the Mount Errigal Hotel will focus on the €40 million Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund Call 8, offering:

✅ Information on eligibility and funding opportunities
✅ Guidance on developing a strong application
✅ Insights from previously funded projects
✅ Opportunities to meet potential consortium partners
✅ One-to-one support from the DTIF team

Following lunch, participants can visit the WiSAR Lab at ATU’s Letterkenny Campus to learn about its research capabilities in wireless sensor technologies, IoT, digital health, AI and applied research.

📅 Tuesday, 1 September 2026
📍 Morning: Mount Errigal Hotel, Letterkenny
📍 Afternoon: WiSAR Lab, ATU Letterkenny Campus

Registration is required for both the morning session and the afternoon tour:

🔗 Information and registration: https://lnkd.in/gdrTYNd9

Wisar Lab & Technology Gateway ATU Donegal

10/08/2026

Registrations have been extended until midnight this Thursday!

⏳ Registration closes this Sunday for the TechIreland National AI Challenge 2026, in association with hub partner ALPHA Innovation EU. Donegal Digital is delighted to be a community partner for this year’s challenge.

Register now if you would like to take part.

🗓 28 August–14 September
📍 More than 10 Demo Day locations, including ALPHA’s new hub on Main Street, Letterkenny
🚀 Mentorship from leading experts
📝 Register using the link below and remember to select ALPHA as your hub: www.eventbrite.ie/e/techireland-national-ai-challenge-2026-tickets-1994378862866?aff=oddtdtcreator

This August, more than 400 developers, start-ups and AI enthusiasts across Ireland will tackle real-world challenges in areas including sustainability, health, fintech and immersive technology. This year’s theme is ‘AI & Agents: Strategy, Processes and Roles’.

07/08/2026

📢 Fully funded digital skills programmes commencing this September

Donegal Digital is pleased to share the ATU North West Digital Employment Pathways Training Hub (NW DEPTH) Autumn 2026 programme portfolio.

Opportunities range from digital skills and generative AI to cybersecurity, computing for educators and advanced manufacturing, with qualifications available from QQI Levels 6 to 9.

Most programmes are delivered through flexible online evening learning and are free to eligible learners who live or work in Donegal and the wider PEACEPLUS Programme Area.

NW DEPTH Autumn Courses at ATU include:

🔵Certificate in Digital Skills (QQI Level 6, 60 Credits)

🔵Certificate in Using Generative Artificial Intelligence (QQI Level 7, 30 Credits)

🔵Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Cybersecurity (QQI Level 8, 60 Credits)

🔵Postgraduate Diploma in Applied AI (QQI Level 9, 60 Credits)

🔵Higher Diploma in Computing for Educators (QQI Level 8, 60 Credits)

🔵Postgraduate Certificate in Advanced Manufacturing (QQI Level 9, 30 Credits)

🔵Postgraduate Diploma in Advanced Manufacturing (QQI Level 9, 60 Credits)

View the programme brochure for full course and eligibility details here 👇
https://simplebooklet.com/atuprogrammeportfolioautumn2 =1

ATU Programme Portfolio Autumn 2 : simplebooklet.com

06/08/2026

⏳ Registration closes this Sunday for the TechIreland National AI Challenge 2026, in association with hub partner ALPHA Innovation EU. Donegal Digital is delighted to be a community partner for this year’s challenge.

Register now if you would like to take part.

🗓 28 August–14 September
📍 More than 10 Demo Day locations, including ALPHA’s new hub on Main Street, Letterkenny
🚀 Mentorship from leading experts
📝 Register using the link below and remember to select ALPHA as your hub: www.eventbrite.ie/e/techireland-national-ai-challenge-2026-tickets-1994378862866?aff=oddtdtcreator

This August, more than 400 developers, start-ups and AI enthusiasts across Ireland will tackle real-world challenges in areas including sustainability, health, fintech and immersive technology. This year’s theme is ‘AI & Agents: Strategy, Processes and Roles’.

04/08/2026

⏳ Registration closes soon for the TechIreland National AI Challenge 2026, in association with hub partner ALPHA Innovation EU. Donegal Digital is delighted to be a community partner for this year’s challenge.

The closing date is Sunday, 9 August, so register now if you would like to take part.

🗓 28 August–14 September
📍 More than 10 Demo Day locations, including ALPHA’s new hub on Main Street, Letterkenny
🚀 Mentorship from leading experts
📝 Register using the link below and remember to select ALPHA as your hub: www.eventbrite.ie/e/techireland-national-ai-challenge-2026-tickets-1994378862866?aff=oddtdtcreator

This August, more than 400 developers, start-ups and AI enthusiasts across Ireland will tackle real-world challenges in areas including sustainability, health, fintech and immersive technology. This year’s theme is ‘AI & Agents: Strategy, Processes and Roles’.

📸 Pictured are last year’s regional winners at the national finals with Minister Niamh Smyth TD, Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment.

30/07/2026

TechIreland National AI Challenge 2026🎯 in association with hub partner Alpha Innovation!

🗓 Registration Reminder: Closing date, 9 August.

This August 400+ developers, startups, and AI enthusiasts across Ireland will tackle real-world problems - from sustainability and health to fintech and immersive tech, inspired by the theme: ‘AI & Agents: Strategy, Processes and Roles’

Check out the key details belowif you are interested in taking part.

🗓 28 Aug – 14 Sept
📍 10+ Demo Day locations, including ALPHA’s new hub @ Main Street, Letterkenny!
🚀 Mentorship from leading experts

📝 Register and don't forget to choose ALPHA as your hub 👇
www.eventbrite.ie/e/techireland-national-ai-challenge-2026-tickets-1994378862866?aff=oddtdtcreator

hashtag

Ireland's 2-week AI Challenge enabling developers to tackle real-world problems through collaboration with the industry and leading experts.

28/07/2026

Western Development Commission are now accepting applications for the 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐀𝐈 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐦𝐞.

Find out more below....

The National AI Studio at Advancing Innovation in Manufacturing - AIM Centre is now recruiting for the next cohorts of its AI Accelerator Programme, designed to help manufacturing and professional services companies move from AI strategy to practical implementation. Last year, more than 20 companies completed the programme, identifying over 50 high-value AI opportunities across their organisations.

Over six weeks, participants will:
✅ Identify AI opportunities within their business
✅ Prioritise the initiatives with the greatest commercial impact
✅ Work with AIM Centre's technical team to develop a working AI demonstrator using their own business data
✅ Leave with a practical roadmap for AI implementation and scaling

2026 Cohorts:
📅 12th August – 16th September 📍 AIM Centre, Sligo
📅 28th October – 2nd December 📍 CREW Enterprise Office, Galway

The programme is delivered in a hybrid format, making it accessible to businesses across Ireland. Eligible SMEs can also receive 80% funding through the European Commission's De Minimis Aid framework, reducing the company contribution to €4,500.

The National AI Studio is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union through the ERDF Northern & Western Regional Programme 2021–2027

𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐀𝐈 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐦𝐞

The National AI Studio at Advancing Innovation in Manufacturing - AIM Centre is now recruiting for the next cohorts of its AI Accelerator Programme, designed to help manufacturing and professional services companies move from AI strategy to practical implementation. Last year, more than 20 companies completed the programme, identifying over 50 high-value AI opportunities across their organisations.

Over six weeks, participants will:
✅ Identify AI opportunities within their business
✅ Prioritise the initiatives with the greatest commercial impact
✅ Work with AIM Centre's technical team to develop a working AI demonstrator using their own business data
✅ Leave with a practical roadmap for AI implementation and scaling

2026 Cohorts:
📅 12th August – 16th September 📍 AIM Centre, Sligo
📅 28th October – 2nd December 📍 CREW Enterprise Office, Galway

The programme is delivered in a hybrid format, making it accessible to businesses across Ireland. Eligible SMEs can also receive 80% funding through the European Commission's De Minimis Aid framework, reducing the company contribution to €4,500.

The National AI Studio is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union through the ERDF Northern & Western Regional Programme 2021–2027.