A strong West of Ireland is of benefit to the whole country – and that’s the belief that has shaped the work of the Western Development Commission (WDC) throughout 2025, the first year of its regional strategy.

That strategy – entitled Unlocking Potential, Driving Change 2025–2029 and supported by the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht – aims to connect the ambition, talent and ideas abundant across towns, cities and rural communities.

In 2025, the WDC played a central role in connecting that energy, working with communities, enterprises, local authorities, Government departments and international partners to support balanced regional development across the West and Northwest.

“Regional development does not happen in isolation,” said Allan Mulrooney, Chief Executive of the WDC.

“It depends on strong collaboration between communities, enterprise, Government and international partners.

“The WDC’s role is to bring those elements together, provide leadership and evidence, and ensure the West and Northwest are well positioned to benefit from investment and opportunity. The progress made in 2025 shows the value of that partnership-led approach.”

A key example of this approach is the Western Investment Fund, an evergreen fund that reinvests returns back into the region.

In 2025, over €6 million was invested in businesses and communities, bringing total investment in the West to more than €100 million. This included over €1 million in lending to community-led projects.

The year also marked the Fund’s 50th investment in the MedTech and life sciences sector, reinforcing the West’s status as a globally recognised centre of excellence.

These investments represent early progress towards the WDC’s commitment to support the mobilisation of €50 million over the lifetime of the strategy.

In parallel, the WDC secured and progressed a number of European-funded projects in 2025, bringing additional investment, expertise and partnerships into the region.

This work reached every part of the Western Region. Community lending, enterprise supports, EU-funded projects, development initiatives and research programmes engaged with SMEs and community organisations across all seven counties, from Donegal to Clare.

Alongside investment, the WDC supported innovation and enterprise development. Initiatives such as the Landing Studio at CREW Galway backed creative and innovation-focused companies, while new research on SME adoption of artificial intelligence highlighted the skills and supports needed to accelerate digital transformation. Targeted initiatives also supported marine tourism SMEs to modernise and compete.

The past year also saw progress across the wider regional system, with growing alignment between national investment priorities and regional needs.

Key developments included confirmation that Phase 1 of the Western Rail Corridor between Athenry and Claremorris is funded under the National Development Plan 2026–2030, expansion of specialist programmes at Atlantic Technological University, and continued strong performance at regional airports, including Ireland West Airport Knock and Shannon Airport.

Pictured: Strategy…Allan Mulrooney, Chief Executive of the WDC.