iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Brendan Speedie Smith @speediecelt.bsky.social · 01/07/2026

May-June 2026 was a busy time at the Data Science Institute with multiple school & college (incl from USA & Germany) visits to experience Insight's Research talks, Insight's coding workshops & tours of the Computer & Communications Museum @insightcentre.bsky.social @uniofgalway.bsky.social

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Brendan Speedie Smith @speediecelt.bsky.social · 01/07/2026

Even if it was late in final term of the school year,I was still busy on the road with 17 coding & Internet Safety workshops in schools across Mayo, Roscommon, Galway city & county incl Inishbofin, Rosmuc, Ballinlough, Cong, Abbey, Creggs, Claddagh @uniofgalway.bsky.social @insightcentre.bsky.social

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Brendan Speedie Smith @speediecelt.bsky.social · 28/05/2026

Great talk by Ronan Timon from Insight Centre for Data Analytics on his research entitled 'Data Science in Wastewater Treatment' to a group of German students from the Bridge Mills #Galway Language School visiting DSI at University of Galway @uniofgalway.bsky.social @insightcentre.bsky.social .

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Brendan Speedie Smith @speediecelt.bsky.social · 03/04/2026

Great to have #Youthreach #Galwaycity students & students visit #Insight at University of #Galway on Tue for Microbit coding workshop & Computer & Communications Museum tour. Thanks to my colleague Duc-Duy Nguyen for his great help as support mentor at the coding workshop @uniofgalway.bsky.social

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Brendan Speedie Smith @speediecelt.bsky.social · 16/03/2026

Lots of visits over the last few months by schools to DSI at @uniofgalway.bsky.social to enjoy Insight's 4in1 special that includes #VR & coding workshops,talks by our researchers on their AI-themed projects & guided tours of the fantastic Computer & Communications Museum @insightcentre.bsky.social

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Reposted by Brendan Speedie Smith

Niall Murphy @niallgalway.bsky.social · 25/02/2026

@speediecelt.bsky.social had a full house to discuss the NTA's U turn on the plans to bring the Clifden Railway bridge back to life as a walking / cycling route. We need to pressure the council and NTA to make this happen. Full plans at www.galwaycity.ie/services/act... @galwaycycling.bsky.social

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Brendan Speedie Smith @speediecelt.bsky.social · 20/01/2026

Visits from international students of #Galway Business School & Bridge Mills were monthly feature to @insightcentre.bsky.social at @uniofgalway.bsky.social during 2025 for Research Talks,computer museum tours...Great to know that they'll be returning in 2026 with multiple visits already booked in!

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Brendan Speedie Smith @speediecelt.bsky.social · 19/09/2025

My colleague Alex Acquier & myself at @insightcentre.bsky.social in @uniofgalway.bsky.social mentored senior class kids at Scoil Chroí Íosa #Galway in using #BBC micro:bit pocket-size computer to code its LED light display, sound features etc & to make an air quality sensor as part of #TAWS project!

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Brendan Speedie Smith @speediecelt.bsky.social · 02/09/2025

A working #Minitel terminal is now on display in Computer & Communications Museum of Ireland at Data Science Institute, @uniofgalway.bsky.social. Minitel was world's first successful public online service.Launched in 1982, almost a decade before the arrival of the Web by French telephony company PTT

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Brendan Speedie Smith @speediecelt.bsky.social · 13/08/2025

FIFA 2000 on original Playstation is always a big hit at our computer museum. We've had a busy summer with multiple tour groups booked in. Next public opening, organised with #Galway Civic Trust, will be at 2pm this Sat Aug 16 for #HeritageWeek. Register at www.heritageweek.ie/event-listin...

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Brendan Speedie Smith @speediecelt.bsky.social · 01/08/2025

In spite of schools being on hols, visits to DSI continued with multiple summer & language schools booked in for Research Talks by #Insight researchers & guided museum tours. Thanks to Jefkine, Kashif & Nakul for their talks on Farming with Generative AI, Women Empowerment in ICT, & Neurosymbolic AI

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Brendan Speedie Smith @speediecelt.bsky.social · 25/07/2025

2 visitors to our museum play a game of chess against a computer.Fidelity Electonic's Chess Challenger 7(1980) offered 7 different levels of chess.Its founder Sidney Samole was inspired to make this early AI device after watching #StarTrek episode where Spock played chess against starship's computer

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Brendan Speedie Smith @speediecelt.bsky.social · 18/07/2025

Before TerrylandForestPark opened in 2000,I visited 3 schools to ask kids to paint their vision of this new type of urban park.In May 2025, our park artist went to same 3 schools to ask kids to paint their vision of how it will be in 2050.These kids' paintings from 2000 & 2025 are on display in park

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Brendan Speedie Smith @speediecelt.bsky.social · 14/07/2025

The Retro 3D Life-Like Action experience with a 1953 #Superman comic & an 1962 Photo View Master at the Computer & Communications Museum of Ireland @uniofgalway.bsky.social

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Brendan Speedie Smith @speediecelt.bsky.social · 11/07/2025

We had great group of German students of Galway Business School visit DSI at @uniofgalway.bsky.social. They asked so many excellent questions after presentations from our Insight researchers-Umair (Decarbonization of Atlantic ports), Talha (Stress Monitoring Device) & Yifan (Peatlands Policy Portal)

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Brendan Speedie Smith @speediecelt.bsky.social · 07/07/2025

I so enjoy exploiting the educational & digital makers value of the BBC micro:bit! In June, my colleague Alex Acquier & myself mentored the 3rd-6th classes Castlegar School in using this amazing pocket-size computer to code its LED light display, buttons & sound features @insightcentre.bsky.social

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Brendan Speedie Smith @speediecelt.bsky.social · 04/07/2025

Providing Science projects to small rural schools is key priority of our Insight EPE program.With closure of village post offices, shops etc as well as economic difficulties of family farming, it is the local parish school that acts as heartbeat of rural Ireland & keeps it alive until the tide turns

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Brendan Speedie Smith @speediecelt.bsky.social · 02/07/2025

We had full May/June schools EPE program at @insightcentre.bsky.social @uniofgalway.bsky.social incl series of Research Talks & hosting workshops on coding, VR, & air sensors. But once again I also had to provide multiple #InternetSafety sessions incl at #BISH & Coláiste Cholmcille Inverin Gaillimh

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Reposted by Brendan Speedie Smith

Jennifer Hetzel @hetzgonnabeme.bsky.social · 05/06/2025

Had a great time celebrating the 25th anniversary of Terryland Forest Park with President Michael D. Higgins! (Even though it started raining as soon as we got there and ended as soon as we left 😂) Great job @speediecelt.bsky.social and everyone who has helped grow the park over the years.

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Brendan Speedie Smith @speediecelt.bsky.social · 29/05/2025

What looks like a piece of equipment from a 1930s-1940s science fiction film is now installed & operational in our #computermuseum. Designed & made by Pat Murphy in 1987 for his B.Tech in Education at Thomond College #Limerick #UL, its actually a computer desk for #Commodore64 computer & accessories

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Reposted by Brendan Speedie Smith

Cosáin Climate @cosaingalway.bsky.social · 25/05/2025

@speediecelt.bsky.social @irishrainforest.bsky.social @whittledaway.bsky.social @nools.bsky.social Look at Mother Nature on the run In the 21st Century ~Neil Young, After the Gold Rush (current live version). #TerrylandForestPark

A fox attempting to cross four lanes of fast traffic near Quincentenary Bridge, Galway, part of the city's ring road. Sections of Terryland Forest Park are located on either side of the ring road.

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Brendan Speedie Smith @speediecelt.bsky.social · 23/05/2025

Giant #FairyRing appears in heart of #TerrylandForest Park. This circle of painted concrete toadstools in an Oak Grove will enhance park's #OutdoorClassroom. A circle of fungi is natural phenomena that forms part of #WoodWideWeb. In mythology they are where the fairies merrily dance under moonlight.

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Brendan Speedie Smith @speediecelt.bsky.social · 20/05/2025

At 10am on Sat next(May 24), there will be training workshop provided by @galwaycitycouncil.bsky.social for volunteers in #TerrylandForestPark #Galway on identifying, controlling & hopefully eliminating non-native Invasive Alien plant species. Details/registration: www.eventbrite.com/e/invasive-s...

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Brendan Speedie Smith @speediecelt.bsky.social · 15/05/2025

Join us for our ‘7 Galway Castles Heritage Cycle’ on Sun May 18. It’s a leisurely cycle over hills, along country lanes, past farms, castles, bogs, lakes, dykes, woods & pasture in a rural landscape only a few km from the heart of #Galway city. Register at www.eventbrite.com/e/sli-na-gca...

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Brendan Speedie Smith @speediecelt.bsky.social · 08/05/2025

Join us for our ‘7 Galway Castles Heritage Cycle’ on Sun May 18. It’s a leisurely cycle over hills, along country lanes, past farms, castles, bogs, lakes, dykes, woods & pasture in a beautiful rural landscape only a few km from the heart of Galway city. Register at www.eventbrite.ie/e/1353200923...

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Brendan Speedie Smith @speediecelt.bsky.social · 25/04/2025

The Computer & Communications Museum of Ireland will be open 2-4pm tomorrow(Sat) to the public. Eircode: H91 AEX4. Visitors can learn how to send a message using #MorseCode, the 19th cent communication system that began long distance electrical communications and gave birth to the Global Village

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Brendan Speedie Smith @speediecelt.bsky.social · 25/04/2025

#ENLIGHT students of 10 European countries visited #DSI #Galway to learn about Insight's research incl with Fergus O'Donoghue on #MultiPeat project & enjoy a hands-on guided tours of Computer & Communications Museum with my colleague Duy & myself. @uniofgalway.bsky.social @insightcentre.bsky.social

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Brendan Speedie Smith @speediecelt.bsky.social · 18/04/2025

My colleague Prateek Paul gave a talk on his research entitled "Motivate Organizations for Data Sharing through Incentive Mechanisms" to German students from Bridge Mills Language School Galway.Insight is becoming a must-go destination for students from primary to tertiary @insightcentre.bsky.social

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Brendan Speedie Smith @speediecelt.bsky.social · 07/04/2025

North & South #Ireland unite to Restore Native Ecosystems. With a Community #ClimateAction grant from @galwaycitycouncil.bsky.social, #TerrylandForest Park has partnered with a #Fermanagh NGO on an all-island #rewilding 'Nature without Borders' project. Photo shows our volunteers on Sat in Fermanagh

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Brendan Speedie Smith @speediecelt.bsky.social · 01/04/2025

Thanks @galwaycitytribune.bsky.social for publishing my article "Strangers in their own Land" on my experiences working in refugee camps, schools in #MiddleEast & on brutal reality of life for #Palestinians & other displaced peoples.Photo shows one of our coding workshops in #AlZaatari refugee camp

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Brendan Speedie Smith @speediecelt.bsky.social · 31/03/2025

Caitriona & daughter, Kevin & son- two families united by a common cause of #rewilding #Galway city. 80+ volunteers on Sat undertook wonderful conservation work as they continued a 25 year tradition of planting native Irish trees in #TerrylandForest Park supported by @galwaycitycouncil.bsky.social

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Brendan Speedie Smith @speediecelt.bsky.social · 28/03/2025

Community tree planting tomorrow(Sat) represents 25 years since first trees were planted in #TerrylandForest Park by the people of #Galway. Photo shows site for the planting of a hedgerow, a small woods & a heritage orchard. Meet-up: 10am at maps.app.goo.gl/tZvJAJPG6iYr.... Bring spade if you can!

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Brendan Speedie Smith @speediecelt.bsky.social · 25/03/2025

In March 2000, the first trees were planted by the people of #Galway in what was then Ireland's largest urban native forest. Join us next Sat(Mar 29) to celebrate 25 years of #TerrylandForest Park by helping to plant a small woods & hedgerow in this park.Register at www.eventbrite.ie/e/1284820375...

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Brendan Speedie Smith @speediecelt.bsky.social · 24/03/2025

Thanks to the generosity of so many people, my son Dáire and his three friends (Conor Breathnach, Ruadhán Durkin and Seán MacUidhlinn) raised €2500 in their #BARCELONA MARATHON run on Sunday last for very worthy cause of #UNICEF #Ireland’s #GAZA Crisis Appeal. May peace, hope & freedom come to Gaza

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Brendan Speedie Smith @speediecelt.bsky.social · 24/03/2025

Volunteers in #TerrylandForest Park #Galway on Sat did great work incl clean-up for @antaisce.bsky.social's National #SpringClean, mulching the park's new fruit bush pocket orchards, & undertaking first mapping of a new 6km blue-green walking/running trail within park & along the River Corrib/DykeRd

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Brendan Speedie Smith @speediecelt.bsky.social · 20/03/2025

My colleague Tomas Grigas recently upgraded old donated laptops for use as part of #Insight #Galway's #EPE programme to teach #coding in #schools & for visiting groups, thereby Reducing Waste, Promoting Sustainability & Delivering Quality Education @insightcentre.bsky.social @uniofgalway.bsky.social

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Brendan Speedie Smith @speediecelt.bsky.social · 20/03/2025

Excellent turnout for the public talk at Insight in the University of #Galway by the renowned Dr Dave Raggett, founder of the Cognitive AI Community Group at the #W3C (World Wide Web Consortium), entitled 'Beyond Sentient AI'. @insightcentre.bsky.social @uniofgalway.bsky.social

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Brendan Speedie Smith @speediecelt.bsky.social · 13/03/2025

Great to have the 4th group of TY students 2023/24 from St. Jarlath's College #Tuam visit #Insight #Galway team to experience our 4in1 educational special for secondary schools: Research Talks, #coding workshops, VR sessions,& #computermuseum tours @insightcentre.bsky.social @uniofgalway.bsky.social

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Brendan Speedie Smith @speediecelt.bsky.social · 12/03/2025

On this day(Mar 12) 25 yrs ago, 3000 people of all ages came to a field in #Galway City & left behind a #forest. #TerrylandForest Park was then largest urban native woodland in Ireland formed out of a partnership between local government & communities.Great article by @galwaycitytribune.bsky.social

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Brendan Speedie Smith @speediecelt.bsky.social · 11/03/2025

Our #Insight #Galway team were delighted once again to provide #coding workshops & #computermuseum tours for #DEIS schools under the wonderful #Uni4U initiative organised by Access Centre of @uniofgalway as part of #STEM,#arts & #sports programme @insightcentre.bsky.social @uniofgalway.bsky.social

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Brendan Speedie Smith @speediecelt.bsky.social · 07/03/2025

Thank you to my Insight colleague Paul Prateek for delivering a interesting talk on his research entitled 'Motivate Organisations for Data Sharing through Data Sharing' to visiting students from the university's #Innovation Society @insightcentre.bsky.social @uniofgalway.bsky.social

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Brendan Speedie Smith @speediecelt.bsky.social · 27/02/2025

Another busy week at DSI! Today we had a visit by Italian students from Milan to hear about aspects of Insight research from researchers Elizabeth Hunter & Ghanshyam Verma followed by guided tour of the Computer & Communications Museum of Ireland @insightcentre.bsky.social @uniofgalway.bsky.social

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Brendan Speedie Smith @speediecelt.bsky.social · 21/02/2025

This week, c60 children from Scoil Mhuire #Clarinbridge #Galway visited #DSI to take part in #coding workshops at @insightcentre.bsky.social & to enjoy the delights of Computer & Communications Museum of #Ireland.My first STEM involvement with this school dates back to 2001! @uniofgalway.bsky.social

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Brendan Speedie Smith @speediecelt.bsky.social · 19/02/2025

Over last 2 months, the Computer & Communications Museum at @uniofgalway.bsky.social has been very busy catering to school tours. Now this Sat(Feb 22nd),we're open to public from 2-4pm. So why not come along & enjoy a trip down tech memory lane! @insightcentre.bsky.social @galwaytourism.bsky.social

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Brendan Speedie Smith @speediecelt.bsky.social · 08/02/2025

Thank you to @ctribune.bsky.social for such a lovely 2 page article on the past, present & future of #TerrylandForest Park, Galway mentioning recent enhancements e.g. eco-heritage trails & regenerative farming,but also the problems that need to be faced up to. Well worth buying this week's Tribune!

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Brendan Speedie Smith @speediecelt.bsky.social · 18/12/2024

6/13. @insightcentre.bsky.social,with Liz Coleman of Climate Studies @uniofgalway.bsky.social, delivered Air We Share community workshop with @galwaycitycouncil.bsky.social at Galway Science Festival with Eoin, Alex & myself creating content to allow participants make low cost air monitoring sensors

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Brendan Speedie Smith @speediecelt.bsky.social · 11/12/2024

5/13. For Galway Science & Technology Fest, Insight centre once again provided our special 4in1 special for secondary schools.St.Jarlath's College #Tuam TYs enjoyed #Python #coding, #machinelearning modelling & #VirtualReality workshops plus a tour of the Computer Museum. @insightcentre.bsky.social

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Brendan Speedie Smith @speediecelt.bsky.social · 09/12/2024

4/13. For the #Galway Science & Technology Festival 2024, the @insightcentre.bsky.social once again sponsored local artists Margaret Nolan & Richard Chapman to provide a cartoon gallery & a cartoon workshop for children. This year the theme was 'Women in Technology' @uniofgalway.bsky.social

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