The west of Ireland is fast becoming a world-renowned area of technological activity and success.
“Galway punches well above its weight as a technology centre,” explains Siobhán Dervan, engineering director, Rent the Runway, Galway. He said, “A vibrant, diverse ecosystem, supported by big tech names like HPE, Cisco and Genesys, creates the kind of synergy that attracts more investment and talent.”
Home to many local and international organisations, the West of Ireland, particularly Galway, has built a strong reputation as an attractive location for growing and growing science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) companies.
Dervan said, “The PorterShed once Forum94 we have nurtured many start-ups and high caliber in Galway, including us at Rent The Runway back in 2019 and the University of Galway and ATU bringing a steady stream of talent to the local market.
“The business case is also compelling. IDA support and Ireland’s favorable tax situation apply nationally, but the cost of working in the West is very low and Galway’s culture, community and craic make it somewhere people really want to be.”
This view was shared by Viatris head of Galway Site, David Read, who agreed that Galway is an important hub for talent, noting its large population of indigenous talent, its size, strong transport links and good coastal location which attracts a skilled migrant community.
He said 30 percent of the people employed in this field represent those who are attracted to Galway and the west because of its reputation as an ideal place to raise a family, and to grow and develop careers.
Supported by third-level institutions, such as ATU and the University of Galway, Read noted that the region benefits from a pipeline of home-grown talent, which is key for organizations looking to recruit and strengthen their teams.
He said, “Viatris supports this talent pipeline through our graduate development program where we support the transition of successful graduates through different roles, for example quality, manufacturing, science and technology on site and we support the transition to other Viatris sites in Ireland.
“The idea here is that we are involved in the development of talent and hopefully this talent will focus on the area and will continue to grow and develop into senior roles in the organization.”
Wander west
For both Dervan and Read, in addition to the importance of developing a strong talent pipeline and meeting the skills needs of the future, it is also important that technology organizations commit to scale and grow outside of the Irish capital.
Dervan said, this is “really important and the data supports it. Almost 70 per cent of new jobs created by companies supported by Enterprise Ireland in 2025 were outside Dublin, while 88pc of new IDA jobs added in H1 2025 were in regional areas. The regional case is not just about economic equity, it is a skills strategy.
“Dublin salaries and cost of living create a real tension for scaling companies; regions like Galway offer access to the same world-class talent on a more sustainable cost base. And the quality of life conflict is lower. My commute to the office is five minutes by bike and my view is the iconic Long Walk, which is no small feat when you’re trying to attract and retain top people.”
“It is important to grow organizations outside of Dublin, so that new emerging talent can live and grow with their families and their communities and have good job opportunities,” agreed Read, who also explained that this needs to be supported by sustainable migration to ensure that organizations can find employees and return to their place of employment.
He said, “This also means that organizations can use the best of their region and the local talent pool. This idea is why organizations like IDA and Údarás na Gaeltachta exist. If I take the experience of Viatris, Údarás na Gaeltachta and IDA have been strong partners of the site, supporting training and development, employment growth and our deployment.”
Local participation
But in a diverse area, such as that in Galway, how can organizations ensure that they contribute to business and technology trends in the region? Dervan advised companies to fully engage with local drivers such as ITAG and PorterShed to create opportunities throughout the year.
He said, “Invest in local talent development. Our local universities provide strong local talent. Rent The Runway provides apprentices and recruits graduates, hiring a graduate who has been our student is a real win. We also support Teen Turn in guiding girls into STEM careers.”
“Encourage internal innovation. Ireland’s 35pc R&D tax credit makes this commercially smart as it is culturally valuable, good for your people and profitable in the long run.”
For Viatris by Isobel Foyle, HR director, Galway benefits greatly from a rich ecosystem made up of both international and Irish companies, each playing an important role in sustaining the region’s economic stability. To remain competitive in this space, organizations need to actively invest in pipelines through strategic partnerships and third-party institutions.
He said, “This includes molding future skills by using complementary educational methods and providing meaningful development opportunities through the systematic inclusion of associate and degree programs. In addition, we play a key role in partnering with innovation hubs such as IDA Ireland and Údarás na Gaeltachta to share best practice and drive innovation and investment.
“Similarly, continued investment in STEM programs at primary and secondary levels is essential to developing future talent. This joint commitment is increasingly important in a highly competitive, rapidly developing socio-economic and technological environment, ensuring Galway’s long-term economic sustainability.”
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