‘Hubs offer summer support for working parents’

Submitted by the Irish Hub Network

We’re well into the summer season now, and while the long break is brilliant for kids, it’s not always so easy for working parents trying to juggle deadlines while the rest of the family is in holiday mode.

If you’ve ever tried to take a Zoom call from a kitchen full of noise, or dashed off emails between day trips, you are not alone.

There is another option: local co-working spaces or digital hubs.

There are now more than 385 hubs in the Connected Hubs network across the island. Together, they offer 5,000 desks and 620 meeting rooms.

There are already 26 hubs in the midlands counties of Westmeath, Longford, Laois and Offaly.

In Mullingar, the e-Working Centre, run by Westmeath County Council, has had more users lately. “We have a lot of parents taking a break from home to use a dedicated space to work in,” says Tracey Tallon, council head of Enterprise.

It’s mostly hot desks and meeting rooms that people go for, she says – just a calm, professional environment to get things done. “They’re not all locals either. Some are on holiday here, often visiting family nearby.”

Almost half of their users (48%) are from outside Westmeath, according to their most recent survey.

Tracey says the availability of the e-Working Centre encourages visitors to stay longer. “Some of those visiting family will extend the time and come into Mullingar e-Working centre to work on the Friday or Monday,” she said.

“Once they’re here, they simply plug in to high-speed broadband and are ready to work in a matter of minutes.”

The space itself is part of the appeal. It’s peaceful and bright, with plenty of natural light – something clients really appreciate. “Plus, we’ve got convenient parking and we’re beside the town centre,” Tracey adds. “You can pop out for lunch, run an errand, or grab a coffee between meetings.”

In Abbeyshrule, The Yard Hub is also experiencing “a noticeable increase in business over the summer”, says John Kelly, the manager. “Families staying in nearby Center Parcs often use the hub when one parent needs to work remotely.”

For many, it’s about staying productive without missing out on quality family time. “Some parents rent a desk for a few hours or book a meeting room for calls and virtual meetings,” John says. “That way, they get the work done and still enjoy evenings with family.”

The hub also attracts international visitors. “We’ve had users from the US, UK, Luxembourg, and Australia,” he says. “They manage work while visiting family nearby.”

Local parents are regulars too, especially during school holidays. “Many come for some peace and quiet while the kids are at home.”

So, what’s most in demand? “Hot desks and meeting rooms are the top choices,” says John. “We also have a 30-person event space that’s popular. People appreciate the fast internet, privacy, and strong video conferencing facilities.”

The Yard Hub is based in restored farm buildings beside the Royal Canal. “It’s peaceful and inspiring, and people love the relaxed, supportive environment,” says John.

Flexibility is also a big part of the appeal. “Our hub is open 24/7 via QR code,” John adds. “That suits parents juggling changing routines. It makes it easier for them to stay on top of work while managing family life.”

But it’s not just about the grown-ups. “We run creative and educational programmes for children too – summer camps, movie days, arts workshops,” says John.

Mullingar e-Working Centre and The Yard Hub are part of a network called Connected Hubs. These are work and innovation spaces across towns and villages in Ireland. You can book a hub space online at connectedhubs.ie.

“They’ve become really important to local communities,” says Leah Fairman, who works with Connected Hubs. “They help people work close to home and support small businesses by offering them affordable space and services.”

More are on the way. “We want more than 400 hubs on the website by the end of 2025,” says Leah.

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.