EDGE26 speakers

Aine Kerr

Master of Ceremonies

Digital Entrepreneur, Broadcaster, Thought Leader

Mike Cubbard, Mayor

Galway City Mayor

Eiméar Dowd

Regional Development Manager, Northern & Western Regional Assembly

Alan Dillon

TD Minister of State for Employment, Small Businesses and Retail & Circular Economy

Colman Farrell

Head of Education and Professional Development, Screen Ireland

Melissa Sterry

Keynote

Scientist, Innovation Expert, Entrepreneur and Creative

Daniel Crane

Keynote

Creative Entrepreneur, Ecosystem Builder & International Touring Musician

Paul Young

Fireside Chat

Co-Founder & Creative Director of Cartoon Saloon

Colm Larkin

CEO of Imirt, the Irish Game Makers Association

Adam Barry

Strategic Designer & Futures Director, Studio Saol

Karen Brodie

Deputy Director, Creative Industries Policy & Evidence Centre, UK

Dr Paddy Tobin

Dean of Faculty - Faculty of Design, Education & Social Science, ATU

Gillian Buckley

Founder and Head of Investment of the Western Investment Fund

Florian Schneider

Director for The Institute of Creativity, University of Galway

Brendan Jennings

Chief Officer - Research, Innovation & Engagement, ATU

Mary Rodgers

CEO at PorterShed

Moe Honan

CEO & Founder, Moetion Films

Tania Banotti

Director of the Creative Ireland Programme

Dr Abigail Ruth Freeman

Director of Research, Society at Research Ireland

Fiona Kilkelly

Director of Ulster Screen Academy

Caroline McDonagh

Head of Enterprise, Local Enterprise Office Galway

Trevor Ó Clochartaigh

Director of Innovation, Sustainability and Sectoral Capacity at TG4

Dr Orla Flynn

President Atlantic Technological University

Ronan McCabe

CEO, Animation Ireland

Raj Lyons

Co-Founder of ICØN

Paul Conway

CEO, Spooky Doorway

Mary Carty FRSA

CEO of Wilson & Keys, Founder of AwakenHub & AwakenAngels

Camille Donegan

CEO, Eirmersive

Dr. Pat Collins

Head of Geography, University of Galway, Director of Urban Lab

Charlotte Barker

CEO, Institute of Designers in Ireland

Claire Corbett

Creative Industry Leader & Strategic Consultant, All Kinds of Magic

Dr. Maria O’Brien

Lecturer & Researcher in Taxation/Cultural and Creative Industries, University of Galway

Lorna Ross

Head of Design Department, ATU

David Stevens

Co Founder, The Bothy

Anne Lanigan

Divisional Manager – Local Enterprise & Regions, Enterprise Ireland

Save the Date - EDGE26 - 21 May 2026