Western Development Commission

A delegation from the Western Development Commission (WDC) will travel to Belgium this week as part of its multi-annual European Engagement Programme (EEP), which aims to strengthen the West and North-West’s international connections and capitalise on European opportunities for the region.

Connected Hubs, the Western Development Commission (WDC) and the Contemporary Irish Art Society (CIAS) are celebrating after Art in the Hubs won the CBRE Creativity in the Workplace Award at the 2026 Business to Arts Awards. The award, presented at the National Concert Hall in Dublin, is a special milestone for the partnership. Art in the Hubs has been shortlisted for a Business to Arts Award for four consecutive years, with 2026 marking our first win.

Over 200 delegates will gather at the Shearwater Hotel in Ballinasloe, Co. Galway on 22nd October for the National Hub Summit. This year’s Summit marks four years since it first began, alongside the fifth anniversary of Connected Hubs itself. This invite only event will include International and Irish speakers, hub teams, representative bodies, state agencies and government departments.

Through the WDC-led DIBEST project, Galway Trails strengthened its digital presence, improved its booking journey and increased engagement with potential visitors. At a glance Location: Galway | Sector: Tourism / Tour Guiding | Support: Digital strategy, SEO, website and online booking | Impact: Increased booking enquiries and visitor engagement Galway Trails is a tour guiding business founded by qualified Fáilte Ireland Tourist Guide Jim Ward.

This year’s programme saw a cohort of Ireland’s leading creative startups exhibit at EDGE26: Ireland’s Creative Economy Summit, held in Galway on 21st May 2026, where they showcased their businesses to investors, industry leaders and the wider creative ecosystem before the national winner was selected by the CBC Ireland jury in late July.

The Western Development Commission (WDC) is pleased to announce the appointment of Teresa Hooks as Head of Connected Hubs and Digital Innovation. Connected Hubs, Ireland’s national hub network, is managed by the WDC on behalf of the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht.

Access to health services is an important focus for regional development, playing a key role in quality of life and the well-being of communities, which in turn influences social and economic growth. Access to quality health services is identified (alongside access to quality childcare and education) as a Strategic Outcome under the National Planning Framework (NPF).

The Western Development Commission (WDC) was proud to participate in the 10th Interceltic Business Forum in Lorient, France, joining business leaders, policymakers, entrepreneurs and innovators from across the Celtic nations to explore opportunities for greater regional collaboration and economic growth.

Connected Hubs and the Contemporary Irish Art Society (CIAS) have once again been shortlisted in the prestigious Business to Arts Awards, this time in the CBRE Creativity in the Workplace category. The nomination recognises the continued success of Art in the Hubs, a partnership between Connected Hubs, delivered by the Western Development Commission on behalf of the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, and the Contemporary Irish Art Society.

The Creative Business Cup Ireland programme is returning for 2026, with CREW continuing as Ireland’s national partner in collaboration with the Western Development Commission (WDC). The programme will identify one outstanding creative business to represent Ireland at the Creative Business Cup Global Finals, where entrepreneurs from around the world showcase innovative ideas, build international connections and compete on an international stage.