Institute of Art, Design & Technology · Dún Laoghaire
Elevated Thinking
Drones for a Changing Ireland
- Date
- Friday 9 October 2026
- Time
- 9.30am – 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.
The full programme for the day: fourteen sessions across regulation, agriculture, airspace, infrastructure, security and the sectors drones are already changing. Timings are subject to change on the day.
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Registration, Welcome & Conference Framing
09:30–09:45 Ian Kiely · CEO, Drone Space 15 min · Welcome
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The Future of Drones: Where Ireland and the EU Are Headed
09:45–10:05 Máté Pusztai · UAS Inspector, Irish Aviation Authority 20 min · Talk
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
10:05–10:25 Brian Whyte · Chairperson, Drone Professionals Ireland 20 min · Talk
Examining the development of a stronger, more professional and unified drone industry in Ireland.
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Coffee Break
10:25–10:4520 min · Break
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Elevating Environmental Stewardship
10:45–11:05 Trevor McHugh · CEO, Veon Forestry 20 min · Talk
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
11:05–11:25 Stephen Scrivener · Sales & Marketing Director, Farmhand Ltd 20 min · Talk
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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Counter-UAS in an Age of AI and Quantum Computing: From Detection to Predictive Defence
11:25–11:45 Fahad ibne Masood, MRAeS, MBA, MPhil · Squadron Leader (R), Capt., TU Dublin 20 min · Talk
Exploring how artificial intelligence and quantum computing are reshaping counter-UAS detection, and the shift from reacting to threats towards predicting them.
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Airspace, Integration and the Future of Drone Operations in Ireland
11:45–12:05 Cathal Mac Criostail · AirNav Ireland 20 min · Talk
Exploring the challenges and opportunities of integrating drones into Ireland’s increasingly complex airspace environment.
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Specific Category in 10 Minutes: What You Need to Know
12:05–12:15 Colm O’Donnell FRAeS FRIN MNI · UspaceAero 10 min · Talk
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Lunch
12:15–13:1560 min · Break
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Trusted Ground Infrastructure for Scalable Drone Operations
13:15–13:35 John Goudie · Director, SLiNK-TECH 20 min · Talk
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
13:35–13:55 Elena Stoeva · Co-founder & CEO, Aviotix Ltd 20 min · Talk
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
13:55–14:15 Patricia Moore · Founder, Irish Space Association 20 min · Talk
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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Drones as an Emerging Threat: Protecting Ireland’s Airspace in a Changing Security Landscape
14:15–14:35 Prof. Matthew Moran · Queens University, Director for Peace, Security & Justice
Joe O’Flynn · Risk & Security Specialist, Drone Space 20 min · Discussion -
Coffee Break
14:35–14:5520 min · Break
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Current Threats, Future Threats and the Battlefront: Why This Matters for Ireland
14:55–15:15 Capt. Stephen Donovan · Irish Defence Forces 20 min · Talk
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The Drone War: What Ukraine Is Teaching Us About the Future of Conflict
15:15–15:35 Cathal Berry · Director of Public Affairs, Red Flag 20 min · Talk
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The Next Five Years: Ireland’s Drone Industry Across the Built Environment
15:35–15:55 Genevieve McGuirk · IPAV
Keelan Keogh · Engineers Ireland
Padraig Hession · PHE Engineering & Architecture 20 min · Panel -
Closing Remarks & Key Learnings
15:55–16:00 Ian Kiely · CEO, Drone Space 5 min · Close
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