After a year of sold-out live shows in Dublin, London, Paris, and Abu Dhabi, the internationally acclaimed Tech Powered Luxury podcast came home to Galway for its first-ever live show in the city. Hosted in the vibrant surrounds of HYDE Bar, the stylish evening was a celebration of Irish innovation, creativity, and heritage.

The event, which had been in the works for quite some time, marked a proud homecoming for podcast founder and host Ashley McDonnell, a Galway native herself. With the theme “Building Irish Heritage Brands,” Ashley led a fascinating live discussion with some of Ireland’s most exciting founders and entrepreneurs.

Special guests on the night included:

• Chupi Sweetman – Founder of luxury jewellery brand Chupi
• Aoife McNamara – Sustainable fashion designer and founder of Aoife Ireland
• Pádraic Ó Griallais – Founder of Micil Distillery, Galway’s historic craft spirits brand
• Charlene Flanagan – Founder of award-winning skincare brand Ella & Jo

The evening also featured a curated showcase of local Irish brands and retailers, with pop-ups from Or Jewellery, Les Jumelles, Emily Jean Atelier, and The Fashion Studio—each highlighting the strength and style of Galway’s thriving creative scene.

“Our live show in Galway was incredibly special – not only is the West of Ireland home to three of the brand founders who shared their stories on the night, it’s also the inspiration and reason behind Chupi’s recent Claddagh ring creation for Nicola Coughlan which made the pages of British Vogue last year. Galway is such a creative hub not just for the arts, but also for beautiful brands and businesses – from luxury fashion and beauty to jewellery and premium spirits – that are starting to gain traction across the country and further afar” said event organiser Ashley McDonnell.

Guests enjoyed a lively atmosphere, stylish surroundings, and engaging conversation, with the live podcast episode set to be released later this week.

HYDE Bar, known for hosting standout events in the city, was the perfect venue for this fusion of fashion, tech, and entrepreneurship, further cementing Galway’s place on the map for cutting-edge cultural experiences.

For more information and to listen to the upcoming podcast episode, visit:
www.techpoweredluxury.com or follow @techpoweredluxury on Instagram.

Pictured: Ashley McDonnell, Aoife McNamara, Charlene Flanagan, Chupi Sweetman, Padraic O Griallais