In the heart of Galway city, nestled among its winding streets and creative soul, lies one of the most inspiring initiatives to emerge from the West of Ireland in over a decade—the PorterShed. I have always had a grá for this place, as to step inside it fills you with hope and encouragement.
What began in 2016 as an ambitious idea to spark innovation and entrepreneurship has since blossomed into a dynamic tech ecosystem, serving as a nurturing ground for start-ups, scale-ups, and multinationals alike. For any entrepreneur seeking a home where creativity, ambition, and support flourish in equal measure, the PorterShed is the place to be.
The original story of PorterShed is as authentic as it is visionary. Backed by the Galway City Innovation District, which was established in 2015, the initiative sought to transform Galway into a vibrant tech hub that could rival any in Europe. Its goal was simple but powerful: to create a thriving environment where start-ups could grow, scale, and ultimately contribute to high-value job creation in the region. The result? A bustling hub where ideas become reality, and where innovation is no longer confined to Dublin or Cork but pulses boldly from the west.
More than just a space
PorterShed is more than bricks and mortar. From the very beginning—within the old Guinness building behind the Hardiman Hotel—it was a place where imagination met action. The atmosphere inside was electric, alive with the beating hearts and curious minds of some of Galway’s brightest entrepreneurs. It wasn’t just a co-working space; it was a synergetic community. There, surrounded by encouragement and innovation, one could feel the power of what was being built: a culture of support, a sanctuary for ideas, and a runway for success.
It’s no surprise that the likes of Altocloud, Rent the Runway, and Diligent found their footing in the original PorterShed. These companies exemplify what is possible when young businesses are given the right tools, space, and backing to thrive. It was—and continues to be—a place where start-ups are not just welcomed but championed.
Thanks to the leadership of Mary Rodgers, CEO, and her dedicated team—including Anthony Shaughnessy, Aoife Cheung, Bob Rosenberg, Rosemary Gallagher, Trevor Murray, and Amanie Issa—the PorterShed has grown into a beacon of innovation and inclusion. Together, they’ve created not just a workspace, but a movement.
Expansion and evolution
As demand grew, so too did the PorterShed’s physical footprint. In March 2022, the doors to PorterShed a hAon at Bowling Green opened. This beautifully designed space is an ideal fusion of function and form, featuring state-of-the-art meeting rooms, collaboration areas, privacy booths, and an atmosphere that invites both productivity and creativity. Today, it is home to over 45 member companies and hosts regular hot-deskers, tech meetups, art exhibitions, and other community-driven events.
Later that same year, PorterShed a Dó on Market Street launched. As the largest of the three buildings, it further expands the PorterShed’s capacity to house innovation. Previously the offices of the Connacht Tribune, this building has been completely refurbished into a sleek, multi-level tech haven, offering everything from private offices to open-plan hot-desking areas, meditation rooms to innovation labs. Designed to host up to 200 members, it embodies everything the PorterShed stands for—ambition, openness, and a relentless drive toward meaningful growth.
With both PorterShed a hAon and a Dó firmly rooted in the heart of the city, the PorterShed initiative now stretches across Galway like a constellation of opportunity—connecting minds, ideas, and futures.
A proven economic catalyst
The impact of the PorterShed is not just anecdotal. According to a Socio-Economic Impact Report launched by KPMG Ireland in 2022, the benefits extend deeply into both the local and national economy. Since its inception, PorterShed has played a role in creating more than 835 high-value, sustainable jobs—a staggering figure that demonstrates just how influential a nurturing environment can be.
The focus isn’t just on tech for tech’s sake. The PorterShed champions indigenous innovation—homegrown companies solving real problems and bringing value to Galway and beyond. And at the same time, it serves as a soft landing for multinational companies looking for a base in Ireland’s vibrant west coast. This dual strategy creates a diverse, balanced, and robust ecosystem.
The PorterShed offers more than access to a desk. It offers access to a community, to mentorship, to encouragement. Entrepreneurs who walk through the doors are not just finding a place to work—they are finding collaborators, advisors, and cheerleaders.
There is a magic that happens when a space becomes more than the sum of its parts. Walk into any of the PorterShed buildings and you will sense it immediately—the buzz of big ideas, the warmth of collaboration, the contagious sense that you can do this. It is no wonder so many companies that start at the PorterShed soon outgrow its walls and fly the nest to bigger premises across Galway. This kind of success is exactly what the initiative was designed to facilitate.
And for those just starting out, the PorterShed is a godsend. It’s a place where you can ask questions, get answers, and know that someone believes in your vision—even before you have turned a profit. It’s where brains meet backing, and where passion meets practical support.
The culture that sets it apart
It’s not just the facilities that make the PorterShed stand out—it is the culture. From Mary Rodgers' tireless leadership to the passion of the entire team, everything is built around a central ethos: when one of us succeeds, we all succeed.
This philosophy permeates every event, every meeting, and every hallway interaction. Founders do not just work side-by-side—they help each other. The team does not just manage the space—they elevate it. From content marketing to community management, every angle is covered with thought, care, and a shared desire to make Galway a place where big ideas take root and flourish.
If you are an entrepreneur, a tech visionary, or someone with a dream to launch, then PorterShed is waiting for you. Whether you need a hot-desk for a day, an office to scale into, or simply a community that believes in your idea, this is your sign.
There is no better place in the West to get started. The location is ideal, just steps from Galway’s finest eateries and cultural gems. The buildings are modern, accessible, and built for collaboration. And most importantly, the people—staff, members, mentors—are rooting for your success from day one.
So, don’t wait for the stars to align. Reach out to the PorterShed team today. Tour the spaces. Talk to the members. Join the network. Feel the energy that has already helped hundreds of start-ups take flight.
Because in Galway, innovation has a home. And that home is the PorterShed.
