Contribution Manchán Magan made will feature at SMI conference in Galway

The 2026 Sustainable Media Ireland (SMI) annual conference in Galway will feature a look at the contribution Manchán Magan made to the Irish language, television and our appreciation of the land.

The PorterShed in Galway is the location for the 2026 SMI event, the first time it is held outside of Dublin, and TG4 will be the hosts.

SMI is a network of media organisations that discuss and share information, consider policy and promote engagement on all aspects of sustainability in the Irish media sector. Members include Local Ireland, TG4, RTÉ, Virgin Media Ireland, Screen Ireland, Screen Producers Ireland, Independent Broadcasters of Ireland (IBI), Craol representing national, local and community media commercial and online press, with support from Coimisiún na Meán.

The one-day conference will feature talks and panels looking at many aspects of the media in Ireland, through the prism of sustainability. While that clearly means careful consideration of the environment, it also considers the economic stability and social and cultural impact of the work.

Previous SMI events took place in Virgin Media Ireland studios and RTÉ studios.

This year’s event will feature a look at the contribution Manchán Magan made to the Irish language, television and our appreciation of the land. Technology innovator Glen Mulcahy looks into what impact AI could have in the not too distant future. After a wet and stormy start to the year, there will also be a discussion on business resilience in the light of increasing extreme weather impact.

Rónán Ó Domhnaill, media development commissioner at Coimisiún na Meán, said: “Coimisiún na Meán is committed to supporting sustainability best practice across the media sector in Ireland. The annual SMI event offers all members the opportunity to network, exchange ideas and develop policy.

“We are delighted to hold the event outside Dublin for the first time. We’re always conscious of managing the carbon footprint of the event by choosing timings that are convenient for public transport, which we strongly encourage, and providing a vegetarian-only catering option. We’re also excited to introduce online streaming for the first time for members unable to travel, and international contributors will be joining us via video link. At a time when extreme weather events are impacting every part of Irish society, we look forward to exploring how media can address the climate crisis in a meaningful way.”

Deirdre Ní Choistín, director general of TG4, added: “TG4 are delighted to be hosting our media colleagues for this event. Sustainability must be at the heart of everything we do as organisations. It will be great to share best practice, hear from inspiring innovators in sustainable production and discuss the challenges we all face, while working together to find long-term, viable solutions.

“Bringing people to Galway also allows us to showcase the best of what is happening here in the production sector in the west and to celebrate the achievements of our wonderfully talented media and creative professionals.”

The conference is on Wednesday February 25 and is free for SMI members and staff to attend.