Where Creativity Means Business – Minister Dara Calleary Marks First Anniversary of CREW
Creative innovation hub in Galway celebrates one year of growth, supporting digital creative industries entrepreneurs.
Dara Calleary TD, Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht and Minister for Social Protection, today returned to CREW in Galway to celebrate the first anniversary of the opening of the Creative Enterprise and Innovation Hub on the ATU Galway City (Wellpark Road) campus.
Since opening in April 2024, CREW (Creative Enterprise West) has established itself as a leading innovation hub for the digital creative industries in the West and North West of Ireland. The enterprise hub supports entrepreneurs working in animation, film, game development, immersive media, design, digital arts and more—providing access to mentorship, infrastructure, training, and enterprise development programmes.
Key Achievements in CREW’s First Year:
- Delivered 4 dedicated Digital Creative Industries incubation programmes, supporting 31 entrepreneurs across 9 counties.
- Collaborated with 36 regional, national and international partners across 24 projects.
- Hosted over 50 events, including industry talks, meet-ups, workshops, networking sessions, and showcases.
- Welcomed more than 2,200 event attendees and visitors to its hub.
Over the past year, CREW has fostered a dynamic and growing community of digital creative entrepreneurs and innovators—from early-stage startups to established businesses—working across animation, film, immersive media, and digital design. By delivering targeted enterprise development programmes and building strong partnerships between academia, industry, and government, CREW is accelerating business growth and driving regional innovation. This collaborative approach is positioning the West and North West of Ireland as a vibrant and internationally recognised hub for the digital creative industries.
Speaking at the event, Minister Calleary said: “It’s inspiring to return to CREW one year after it’s official opening and see the momentum that has already been created and community that’s taken shape. The achievements over the past year are a testament to the ambition and potential of Ireland’s creative industries. Through hubs like CREW, we are supporting local talent, creating new pathways for job growth, and building regional capacity to thrive in international markets. I congratulate the team and partners for their leadership and continued impact.”
Niamh Costello, CEO of CREW, reflected: “This first year has been transformational—not only in the momentum we’ve built but in the creative community that has formed around us. We’ve seen first-hand the innovation, ambition, and potential that exists across the region, and it’s been our privilege to support that growth. As we look ahead, our vision is to scale our impact, deepen industry partnerships, and ensure the West and North West of Ireland are recognised globally as thriving centres of digital creative enterprise.”
Paddy Tobin, Chair of the CREW Board of Directors and Head of the School of Design & Creative Arts at Atlantic Technological University (ATU), commented: “Today marks an important milestone for CREW. With the ongoing support of our stakeholders, CREW has become a focal point for the development of the digital creative industries across the West and North West. The progress over the past year has been excellent, thanks to a talented and dedicated team. The development of the Creative Industries in our region is a marathon, not a sprint – and CREW continues to serve as both a catalyst for action and a provider of services. We are proud to play our role in realising the enormous potential of this sector in our region.”
Allan Mulrooney, CEO of the Western Development Commission, added: “CREW represents the power of collaboration and long-term vision. The West of Ireland has always been a creative place—but now we’re coupling that creativity with infrastructure, investment, and industry development. This anniversary marks just the beginning. It’s about more than supporting individual creators and startups; it’s about building a thriving, connected ecosystem that delivers lasting economic and cultural impact across the region and beyond.”
and Gillian Buckley, Investment Manager WDC and CREW Founding Director. Photo Martina Regan
Meabh Conaghan, Regional Director, Enterprise Ireland, said: “Enterprise Ireland is proud to support CREW through the Regional Enterprise Development Fund. Over the past year, CREW has proven to be a driver of innovation and growth for the creative sector in the West. Enterprise Ireland looks forward to continuing our collaboration with CREW, supporting digital creative businesses scale, internationalise, and succeed.”