Digital Nomads Discover Donegal!
Following the success of last year's inaugural event in County Kerry, the 2024 Digital Nomad Conference and Fest travelled to Donegal and took place in the heart of the Gaeltacht, Dungloe and Gweedore.
From August 28th to September 1st, the visiting digital nomads heard from both international and regional expert speakers on topics such as remote recruitment, virtual entrepreneurship and business growth, the importance of branding, and the right to disconnect, all while discovering the amazing communities, unique culture, stunning landscapes and the world-class remote capabilities Donegal can offer.
Dani Maletic, Founder of NomadÉire, the lead organiser of the event had this to say ahead of the conference “Last year's conference in Kerry was a resounding success, and this year, we're thrilled to introduce Donegal as our newest destination for digital nomads. We're excited to showcase the breathtaking beauty and immense potential of this stunning county.”
“As we bring together a group of location-independent entrepreneurs and travel-loving digital nomads, we're also immersing them in the rich Irish language and culture at the heart of the Gaeltacht. Donegal offers not just a place to work, but a vibrant cultural experience that will leave a lasting impression."
Cllr. Niamh Kennedy, Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council opened the conference and gave a warm Donegal welcome to the digital nomads who had travelled from every corner of the world to take part in the dynamic workshops, inspirational talks and the Startup Pitching Competition “County Donegal is uniquely positioned as an ideal destination for digital nomads and remote working. What makes Donegal truly special is not just its breathtaking scenery, with rugged coastlines and lush green hills, declared the fourth-best region to visit in the world by Lonely Planet, but also its expanding network of innovation and digital co-working hubs throughout the region.”
“These hubs are equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, including high-speed broadband, fully serviced office suites, and flexible shared spaces. Here, you’ll find a thriving community where creativity and collaboration flourish, driven by a young, diverse population that embodies our vibrant spirit.”
The Donegal offering is unique and bespoke to the region and provides a real and meaningful alternative to urban life and key benefits such as a better quality of life, work/life balance, less traffic, more connectivity, a skilled and agile talent pool and a wide range of digital hubs and services catering to remote workers, without compromising on elements including the quality of employment available, opportunities for career progression and salaries, the access to education and training services, travel infrastructure and the opportunity for growth and expansion here in Donegal.
Donegal County Council is a partner in the EU Interreg Europe funded EDIN (European Digital Nomads Project) and Nomadeire provided an excellent platform to promote the excellent work of the project partners in promoting regions across Europe to digital nomads. EDIN partners cover 7 different regions in Europe with different contexts and one common need: the improvement of their policy instruments to attract digital nomads in an effective way and in view of the sustainable development of the territories. We have a fully-fledged strategy aimed at attracting digital nomads, and we are part of a broader initiative involving partners from seven different regions across Europe.