Institute of Art, Design & Technology · Dún Laoghaire
Elevated Thinking
Drones for a Changing Ireland
- Date
- Friday 9 October 2026
- Time
- 9.00am – 4.00pm
- Venue
- IADT, Dún Laoghaire, Co. Dublin, A96 VCX6
- Tickets
- €250
The day
What the conference is.
Join us for an in-depth exploration of the current state of drone operations, opportunities and developments in Ireland — and discover what comes next.
Hear directly from professional UAV specialists, industry leaders, technology developers and the innovators paving the way for the next generation of drone operations and threats.
Whether you are already working with drones, looking to develop your skills, exploring new commercial opportunities, or simply want to understand where the industry is heading, this educational gathering will provide practical insights, expert knowledge and a glimpse into the technologies and practices shaping the future of UAVs.
Programme
Topics and speakers.
An early outline of the day. Thirteen sessions across regulation, agriculture, airspace, infrastructure, security and the sectors drones are already changing.
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The Future of Drones: Where Ireland and the EU Are Headed*
Representatives · Irish Aviation Authority (IAA)
Exploring the regulatory direction of travel and what it means for Ireland’s emerging drone sector.
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Uniting the Industry, Elevating the Standard
Brian Whyte · Chairperson, Drone Professionals Ireland
Examining the development of a stronger, more professional and unified drone industry in Ireland.
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Elevating Environmental Stewardship*
Exploring how drones can contribute to sustainability, environmental management, monitoring and more efficient operations.
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From Farm to Fork: Drones in Precision Agriculture
Stephen Scrivener · Sales & Marketing Director, Farmhand Ltd
Exploring the growing role of drones in precision agriculture, from data collection and crop monitoring to smarter and more efficient farming practices.
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Autonomous Drone Operations: Always Ready, Straight from the Box*
Looking at the move towards autonomous, remotely managed and always-available drone operations — and what this means for the future of commercial UAV deployment.
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Airspace, Integration and the Future of Drone Operations in Ireland
Cathal Mac Criostail · AirNav Ireland
Exploring the challenges and opportunities of integrating drones into Ireland’s increasingly complex airspace environment.
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Elevating Skills, Certifying Excellence*
Examining the skills, training and professional certification required to support a safe, competent and growing drone industry.
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Trusted Ground Infrastructure for Scalable Drone Operations
John Goudie · Director, SLiNK-TECH
Exploring the critical role of reliable ground infrastructure in enabling scalable, secure and connected drone operations.
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Aviotix’s Journey: From Elevated Data to Decisions — Managing Ireland’s Changing Landscape in a Changing World
Elena Stoeva · Co-founder & CEO, Aviotix Ltd
Exploring how aerial data, technology and intelligence can support better decision-making in a rapidly changing landscape.
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From Space to Air: Funding, Earth Observation and the Wider Innovation Ecosystem
Patricia Moore · Founder, Irish Space Association
Examining the links between the space and drone sectors, the opportunities presented by Earth Observation, and the funding and innovation ecosystem supporting emerging technologies.
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Defending Ireland’s Airspace: Lessons from Ukraine and the Evolution of C-UAS
Joe O’Flynn · Risk & Security Specialist, Drone Space
Exploring the rapidly evolving Counter-UAS landscape, lessons emerging from Ukraine, and the implications for the protection of critical infrastructure and national airspace.
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National Security, Resilience and the Drone Challenge
Cathal Berry · Director of Public Affairs, Red Flag
Considering the growing role of drones in national security, resilience and the protection of Ireland’s critical interests.
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The Next Five Years: Ireland’s Drone Industry Across Every Sector
Genevieve McGuirk · IPAV, with invited sector representatives
Looking ahead to the next five years and exploring how drone technology could transform sectors across the Irish economy.
And more speakers to come
The programme is continuing to develop, with additional speakers and sector representatives yet to be announced.
Host and moderator
Ian Kiely.
Drone Space · Host & Moderator
Ian Kiely is an internationally experienced UAV specialist, consultant and conference moderator, with more than a decade of hands-on experience.
Having worked with industry, government and international organisations across Ireland, Europe, and the US, Ian brings a broad understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing the Irish UAV ecosystem. Ian has moderated and chaired international conferences and high-profile industry events, bringing together experts, innovators, regulators and decision-makers to explore the future of drone technology opportunities.
Ian will host and moderate Elevated Thinking, bringing his experience for a day of informed discussion, debate and exploration of where Ireland’s drone industry is heading next.
Why now
Cooperation is the key to the successful future of safe drone operations.
Ireland has a National Policy Framework for Unmanned Aircraft Systems, an implementation plan that reaches into all thirty-one local authorities, a working group forming on geographical zones, and an enforcement regime being drafted.
At the same time the practical questions have got harder, not easier: how training and examination are delivered, what an operator has to hold to maintain compliance, how to generate a budget, and how a business keeps up with the pace.
This event is for the industries that use drones, but not as their primary function.
Who should attend
The room.
- Construction, engineering and infrastructure organisations
- Surveyors, inspection, mapping and 3D modelling
- Local authorities and public bodies, the OPW and the NPWS
- Critical national infrastructure — energy, water, telecoms and ports, including UAV threats and countermeasures
- Forestry, ecology, agriculture and waterways
- Emergency services and State security functions
- Property managers, valuers, inspectors and maintenance
- Manufacturers, distributors and technology suppliers
Sponsors and supporters
With thanks to.
Also in October
The EUDIS Hackathon, DCU
The Drone Space team is supporting the EUDIS Hackathon at the DCU:Innovate Hub in Dublin, 15–17 October 2026, through training, mentorship and guidance. It is Ireland’s first European Defence Innovation Scheme hackathon, on the theme “Autonomy on the Battlefield”.
It is hosted by DCU:Innovate, with partners including the Department of Defence, Space Industry Skillnet, the Defence Forces Research, Technology & Innovation unit and the Irish Space Association.
Register your interest.
Here is a link to more information