For many working parents, summer holidays come with a familiar dilemma – enjoy precious family time or cut the trip short to get back to work but Ireland’s national Connected Hubs network is helping families do both, allowing many to turn a two-week holiday into a month-long stay without falling behind at work.
With more than 400 hubs nationwide offering over 5,000 workspaces and 650 meeting and conference rooms, Connected Hubs provides professional, distraction-free workspaces where parents can work remotely while their families make the most of the holidays.
In Co. Clare, 12 hubs are part of the network, all managed by Clare County Council’s Digital Transformation Department as part of the DigiClare initiative. The Kilkee Hub offers a clear example of how demand increases during the summer months.
“The Kilkee Hub sees a huge increase in bookings every summer,” says spokesperson Jackie Dermody, Broadband Officer with Clare County Council. “Many people who own holiday homes or visit family in Kilkee can extend their stay because they can continue working remotely, which benefits local tourism too. Demand is so strong that we’re at full capacity throughout June, July and August.”
Hot desks are the most popular option during the summer. To meet demand, the hub recently converted an underused meeting room into additional hot desk space, adding five ergonomic sit-stand desks. Reliable high-speed broadband, flexible booking and comfortable workspaces are among the features most valued by users.
The hub has been a game changer for working parents. Limerick woman, Corina, travels from London with her family every summer to visit her mum in Kilkee. “Both my husband and I can work remotely. Before the hub opened, we used to come to Kilkee for a couple of weeks at most but since the hub opened, we come for 4 or 5 weeks every summer.”
“It’s perfectly located, very close to our house. I can meet the kids with my mum down by the sea for an hour between work calls. I can nip out at 10am to meet the gang for a swim from the pier or spend an hour on the beach after work. The facilities are fantastic and there is always a space you can go to if you need to make a private call.”
“The Digital Hub concept is a fantastic initiative, says Corina’s husband Bryn. “Without it, we wouldn’t be able to stay in Kilkee for as long as we do. Broadband for holiday homes is expensive and two adults trying to work on the kitchen table would be a complete nightmare.”
He agrees with Corina that the hub’s facilities are great. “And being able to walk to the beach during the working day to meet with the kids and to spend time with them is just fantastic.”
Greg is another holiday visitor. “Working remotely from the Kilkee Digital Hub has enabled me to spend the last 5 summers with my family, while still being able to stay fully connected with my work in New York. The facilities are great and Wi-Fi connectivity has always been reliable.”
Jackie Dermody says Kilkee’s stunning location is a huge attraction but that affordability and flexibility are also key factors. “Parents like being able to book only the days they need. Some work for a few hours in the morning, spend time with family during the day and return later. We also welcome visitors who need a workspace for just a day or two.”
Kilkee is one of many hubs which offer essential holiday support for working parents, says Connected Hubs spokesperson, Leah Fairman. She says it’s worth checking out the range of Connected Hubs work and innovation spaces across towns and villages in Ireland at www.connectedhubs.ie.
“These hubs have become really important to local communities,” says Leah. “All year round, they help people work close to home and support small businesses by offering them affordable space and services.”
Connected Hubs is a government-backed programme. It aims to breathe life back into towns and villages by making remote work easier, supporting local business growth, and attracting new business. It’s part of Our Rural Future and is led by the Western Development Commission, with support from the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht.