Longford wins prestigious digital award with Microsoft Dream Space Showcase

Longford County Council’s Microsoft Dream Space Showcase has been announced as the winner of the Digital Inclusion Award at The Ireland eGovernment Awards recognising the authority's exceptional work on this innovative programme.

This prestigious win places Longford amongst the leading local authorities driving digital transformation across Ireland. With over 50% of this year's finalists coming from the local government sector, the 2025 awards spotlight the significant role councils play in reshaping public service delivery.

Read more: Longford’s Biodiversity Action Plan 'will deepen an understanding of biodiversity'

Dream Space 2025 saw coding introduced to 27 of County Longford’s 37 primary schools, creating a pipeline of digitally skilled young people with over 500 children from the 27 County Longford schools taking part in this year’s Dream Space Showcase.

Four of nine secondary schools in the county now offer Computer Science for the Leaving Cert — a short few years ago, the subject was not on offer in the county — reshaping Longford’s economic future from the classroom up.

It is also worthy recognition for the many secondary school teachers and primary teachers throughout County Longford who teach Computer Science, and who take part in the Dream Space Showcase and it is testament to their unwavering support and engagement with the innovative programme.

Head of IT at Longford County Council Danny Lynch and the IT team picked up the Digital Inclusion Award at a special ceremony in O'Reilly Hall, UCD.

Speaking at the awards ceremony, guest of honour Minister Jack Chambers TD said, “These awards are the recognised benchmark for excellence in Digital Government services and standards.

The pace and scale of the digital revolution so far this century has been such that the innovations being celebrate could not have been even imagined or contemplated two decades ago - never mind achieved and delivered.

I congratulate all the shortlisted entrants who are being recognised as leading the digital transformation journey across the civil and public service and ultimately helping us to provide better public services to the people of Ireland.”

Moving into its fourth year, Longford's Microsoft Dream Space Showcase has become a cornerstone of STEAM education in the county. The programme engages hundreds of primary school children annually through a comprehensive 10-week initiative from Microsoft Ireland that combines hands-on learning with real-world problem-solving.

Students work alongside their teachers using the Microsoft’s Dream Space Teams short online lessons to develop coding and STEAM skills.

Read more: Excitement building ahead of Longford Leader Build and Renovate Expo 2025

These abilities are then channelled into creating innovative projects that address sustainability challenges aligned with the UN's Sustainable Development Goals.

Longford County Council's Broadband Officer Christine Collins plays an integral part of this innovative initiative, bringing Microsoft and the schools together.

Siobhan Greally, Longford County Council's STEM Engagement Officer plays a crucial role in supporting primary teachers to explore and implement technology education into the classroom.

The initiative forms part of a broader strategic investment in local education, funded through the Government of Ireland and European Union's Just Transition Fund Programme 2021-2027. This targeted support focuses on accelerating student interest in Computer Science and STEAM subjects during the crucial transition from primary to post-primary education.

Paddy Mahon, Chief Executive of Longford County Council, said, "Winning the Digital Inclusion Award at The Ireland eGovernment Awards is fantastic recognition for our council and validates our commitment to ensuring no child in Longford is left behind in the digital age.

The Dream Space Showcase has placed Longford as one of the proud leaders in the digital transformation journey in the public sector and shines a light on how local government can be a leader in educational innovation.

"Cathaoirleach Cllr Garry Murtagh added, "We're immensely proud to see Longford's being selected as the winner of the Digital Inclusion Award.

This programme embodies our belief that every child deserves access to cutting-edge learning opportunities, regardless of their background or location.

Read more: 'A scholar and a gentleman' -Flurry of tributes paid to distinguished Longford professor

This national recognition proves that local authorities can be catalysts for change, turning bold ideas into bright futures.”

The Ireland eGovernment Awards, now in its 23rd year, celebrate innovation, leadership, and impact across Ireland's public sector.

Sixteen local authorities were shortlisted across 16 of the 17 categories, highlighting the growing influence of local government in public service innovation.