Ideas talks are set to Ignite the West

By Martina Nee

Ignite the West, an exciting networking event showcasing new ideas and thinking in areas of design, technology, and business, is set to take place on Friday September 10 at Galway’s newest community space 091 Labs at 8pm.

Ignite, which is touring the west of Ireland to showcase the region’s resources of imagination and entrepreneurship, is a social event for people who want to get together and talk about locally-inspired ideas over a drink, and for local movers and shakers who accept the challenge as encapsulated by the Ignite motto: “Enlighten us, but make it quick.”

Speakers will have five minutes to get their idea across, with 20 slides which revolve every 15 minutes on the screen, so there is no time for waffle. The warehouse ambience of 091 Labs, located beside the Radisson Blu Hotel, will be renovated for one night only to include a relaxing beanbag lounge and other surprises.

The intrepid speakers lined up for the night include: Naoise Nunn, organiser of Leviathan, Ireland's successful political cabaret event, and his new thinkfest, Mindfield. Ina O'Murchu will be weaving together a barmy mix of campness and fashion, while Gavin Duffy will be modelling Galway's curves in beautiful 3D, and young buck Jack Kinsella will be breaking news from the streets of Bolivia.

Mark Conguista from Cisco's R&D labs will be showing the west why some say he is the Tommy Tiernan of stand-up brain blasting. Acting trainer, Sarah O'Toole, will be unveiling some dirty secrets from behind the scenes, and members of 091 Labs will be showering us with magic dust from their experiences of creative collaboration. NUI Galway’s Maria Gallo will be explaining why graduates should not sever ties with the alumni, and fellow scholar Michael Hogan will be exploring his spiritual journey into the science of systems.

Ignite the West is for anyone who wants to laugh, talk, and be inspired. Admission is €5, and the enlightenment is free. In conjunction with 091 Labs, a space designed for people to co-create and collaborate on a range of personal and group projects, a limited number of sleepover spaces will be available for visitors from outside Galway city who are attending Ignite the West. Sleepover capacity is strictly limited and must be reserved in advance. Guests will need to bring their own sleeping bag on the night. For more information check out the website www.ignitethewest.com or email info@ignitethewest.com