Longford’s Dream Space wins esteemed award at Public Sector Digital Transformation Awards

Longford County Council’s Microsoft Dream Space Showcase was announced as the winner of the ‘Judges’ Choice Award’ at the Business Post Public Sector Digital Transformation Awards held recently in the Mansion House, Dublin.

This prestigious win places Longford amongst the leading local authorities driving digital transformation across Ireland and recognises the authority's exceptional work on this innovative programme.

Hosted by broadcaster and journalist, Anton Savage, the awards recognise and celebrate excellence and innovation in the delivery of public sector digital transformation showcasing cutting-edge technologies and innovative approaches that have made a real impact, improved service delivery, and enhanced citizen experiences.

The evening was attended by 500 guests and the diverse range of categories and organisations shortlisted highlighted transformation using big data, AI, cloud technology, health technology and sustainable innovation to name a few.

Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, Jack Chambers, highlighted the Government’s commitment to fostering innovation and supporting the public sector “principles, policies and strategy documents don’t count without being proactively pursued, critically assessed, analysed, stress tested and put into practical use for the public so they can see the clear and tangible route to better service delivery".

He added: "We want to drive public services reform and in my mind these two critical policy objectives in terms of digitalisation and reform are critical to our future.

"We cannot deliver better outcomes for our citizens without fundamentally rethinking how we design, how we organise and how we lead within the public service.”

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 ‘Judges Choice Award’ at the Manion House in Dublin recently.

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.

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, “This national recognition celebrates Longford County Council’s commitment to building future-ready digital skills in communities.

"What began as an idea to highlight the incredible work of Microsoft Ireland Dream Space in Longford schools has grown into a flagship event for digital inclusion in rural Ireland.

"This award is a testament to what is possible when vision meets action - when local government, schools, teachers, and industry come together to build Longford’s digital future.”

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

"This is yet another prestigious win for the Dream Space Showcase and really demonstrates that local authorities can be catalysts for change, turning bold ideas into bright futures.”

Head of IT at Longford County Council Danny Lynch added, “Winning this Judges’ Choice Award’ at the Business Post Public Sector Digital Transformation Awards is an amazing accolade and it is testament to the hard work of County Longford’s schools and the team at Longford County Council and our unique partnership with schools and teachers throughout the county.”

Longford County Council’s Microsoft Dream Space Showcase is co- funded by the Government of Ireland and European Union's Just Transition Fund Programme 2021-2027.

The Public Sector Digital Transformation Awards were organised by Business Post and in association with KPMG. Supporting partners included Datapac/ HP, Vodafone Business, Ergo, Storm, Three Ireland, Red Hat, CGI, Virgin Media Business, Submit.com, ICS, Ireland’s Blue Book and the charity partner was GOAL.

For more details on the 2025 Awards shortlist, winners, judges and photo gallery, see www.digitaltransformationawards.ie

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