Galway Tech Map

The map was created by Professor John Breslin, co-founder and board member of PorterShed, who first developed the Galway Tech Map in 2014 to showcase the companies already operating in the city’s technology ecosystem.

The first edition featured just over 30 companies. A second version followed in 2015 with more than 70 companies, alongside later variants focused on Galway’s MedTech sector. Twelve years on, the latest edition shows a very different landscape.

Since the first map was published, Galway has seen the growth of new start-up hubs, expanded office space, renewed innovation centres, increased activity from indigenous technology companies, and continued investment from international firms.

“This new map reflects the significant changes that have happened in Galway over the past 12 years,” said Professor John Breslin, creator of the Galway Tech Map.

Reflecting on the city’s development since 2014, Professor Breslin noted that many technology companies were once based on the outskirts of the city, with fewer operating downtown. Since then, spaces such as PorterShed, Bonham Quay and CREW Digital have become part of the city’s innovation infrastructure, while regional accelerator activity, including NDRC at PorterShed, BioExel and AI Venture Forge, has added further support for start-ups.

“The PorterShed was a vision still to be realised through the refurbished Guinness building near Ceannt Station, now relocated to Market Street and Bowling Green,” Professor Breslin said. “There were no regional accelerator programmes supporting local start-ups with programming and funding, but these came to pass with the NDRC at PorterShed accelerator, BioExel, and last year’s AI Venture Forge, with more of this kind of thing badly needed.”