Global Economic Summit ends in Kerry with finale featuring Game of Thrones actor
The three-day conference, which saw world leaders descend upon Killarney's Europe Hotel for a second year, saw the likes of a New York Times journalist and an award-winning actor speak about some of the most pressing issues today.
The day kicked off with a talk on crisis proof leadership from Dr Maria Guevera, who is the international medical secretary for Medicins Sans Frontiers.
Later, New York Times enterprise investigations director, Limerick's Malachy Browne, took centre stage at 'Broken Signals', covering journalism, democracy and 'the war over truth'. It proved one of the highlights of the final day and he spoke too on how visual and digital evidence is used in accountability investigations.
Talks were also held on Irish-led healthcare innovations driving impact worldwide and looking beyond Brexit before a conversation was held with actor Liam Cunningham, perhaps best known for playing Davos Seaworth in Game of Thrones.
Liam spoke on his time on world-famous sets and even with director Stephen Spielberg while he also explained the role of his Game of Throne character: 'The guys realised there was so much sinister stuff... they needed a representative of the audience; a moral compass who needed to ask questions for the audience.'
He spoke with CEO of IFTA, Killorglin native Aine Moriarty and referred also to his humanitarian work in Africa through World Vision.
The discussion provided the conclusion to three days which saw Kerry welcome a total of 400 international business leaders, policymakers and politicians for the Summit, which was opened on Monday by An Taoiseach Micheál Martin.
The Taoiseach spoke about how the conference brought together leaders and thinkers to discuss pressing issues of our time, such as economic and trade challenges, tackling climate change and the rise of artificial intelligence and its implications.
'The breadth and depth of expertise gathered here is immense and can provide real insight into these issues. Events such as the Global Economic Summit, bringing together diverse expertise for reflection and debate, are all the more important in today's world,' the Taoiseach said.
The opening day of the conference saw EU Commissioner for Democracy, Rule of Law and Consumer Protection, Michael McGrath, speak about preparing for all scenarios in EU-US tariff talks.
'In the event of the talks ending unsuccessfully and EU businesses being subjected to unjustified tariffs, then the European Union will respond to defend the interest of the European economy. But our absolute focus for now is on making these talks a success in the next six weeks,' Mr McGrath said.
Former commissioner of the US Social Security Administration, Martin O'Malley, provided participants with insights into Irish and American relations.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump's former White House Chief of Staff, Mick Mulvaney, joined Miriam O'Callaghan for a fireside chat.
Mr Mulvaney revealed that he landed the chief of staff job after he had sought the role of special envoy to Northern Ireland.
He said he does not think the world needs to fear a third Trump presidential term.
'I know that Trump oftentimes likes to say things in order to sort of just provoke the left. But I think he put that to bed on a Sunday talk show a couple weeks back. I think that, of all the things you might want to worry about, you can probably take that one off your list,' Mr Mulvaney said.
Sisters Ciara, Saoirse and Laoise Murphy, winners of the BT Young Scientist Award, provided a local feel to the day when they participated in a mentorship session with Dr Maria Guevara.
Artificial intelligence and infrastructure were top of the agenda on Tuesday, the second day of GES2025.
Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform, Jack Chambers, told of how he plans to 'unblock and unlock' infrastructure delivery in Ireland.
Minister Chambers said he agreed with comments that the public service is too averse to taking risks and there needs to a greater risk appetite if mega-projects are to be delivered.
'We need to re-examine the level over the project life cycle, how we can better mitigate the risk in how we do the design process and how we support public servants in really accelerating the delivery of projects through the through the overall life cycle,' Minister Chambers said.
Maurice Regan, owner of leading construction company JT Magen, spoke about how good leadership is achieved through responsibility.
Audrey O'Mahony, who is head of talent and organisation at Accenture, explained how her company has helped over 2,500 clients to implement Gen AI into their businesses.
Dingle-based supply chain digitalisation company, Net Feasa, held the official European launch ceremony of its Agentic Control Tower™ platform. The platform, which is the first of its kind, uses the power of AI to visualise container fleets as they move goods around the globe and automate traditional logistical workflows such as booking and scheduling.
A special fringe event titled 'Taste of Kerry' was held at Kate Kearney's Cottage at the end of the day. It provided delegates with an experience showcasing the county's rich cultural heritage and creativity.
At the event, internationally acclaimed fashion designer Don O'Neill captivated guests with stories of how Kerry's landscapes shaped his creative journey from Ballyheigue to the global fashion capitals.
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'Goosey Goo has found a massive need. I have an 18-month old so I am aware of the cost, particularly for people that can't afford expensive clothing. "This isn't going to be Sean's only company because he has that bug now that he knows what is possible. 'There's lots of entrepreneurs, a handful may have once been homeless, but to be actively homeless setting up a business, Sean is a one in a million.'
