The conversations gave students a practical understanding of entrepreneurship in Ireland, beyond theory.
The second edition of WorkIQ’s PR & Media Workshop brought together over 50 second-year marketing students from TU Dublin. It was a full day of hands-on, real-world experience in Tallaght.
Delivered in collaboration with TU Dublin and The Echo, the workshop was designed to bridge the gap between academic learning and the realities of working in PR, marketing, and content creation.
Rather than observing from the sidelines, students were placed at the centre of the experience. They were able to work directly with founders, asking questions, and creating content based on real business stories.
Learning directly from founders building in Tallaght
At the core of the day was the opportunity for students to engage with entrepreneurs who are actively building their businesses locally.
Curtis Murray (Glint and Glow), Laura Maher (Oliver Media and Smart Cards), Robert Coffey (Hirewise), Gabriela de Paula (Canopy Creative), Raymond Valentine (Flexidrive) and Emmanuel Smiley (Gontrel) shared their journeys openly – covering not just successes, but also challenges, setbacks, and future ambitions.
For students, this offered a rare level of access to the reality behind startups, grounded in the local Tallaght ecosystem.
Understanding the Role of Local Media
The workshop also featured a talk from Emma Kennedy of The Echo, who explored the importance of local news in shaping business visibility and community connection.
This session helped students understand how PR is not just about content creation. It’s about storytelling within a broader media landscape, especially at a local level where impact can be immediate and tangible.
From brief to delivery in one day
Following the panel and talk, students were divided into groups and assigned a founder to interview.
Each group worked through a live brief, gathering insights and translating them into a full set of PR deliverables. By the end of the day, students had produced:
- a press release
- photography
- video content
- social media posts
This approach pushed students to think critically, collaborate under time pressure, and apply their skills in a practical, outcome-driven way.
A strong collaboration between education and industry
The workshop was led by Daniel Halpin, Business Growth Manager at WorkIQ, whose initiative continues to strengthen the connection between local businesses and education. It was delivered in close collaboration with the TU Dublin, whose support ensures that students are exposed to real-world opportunities.
More than a workshop
What makes this initiative stand out is not just the format, but the impact.
Students leave with practical experience.
Founders gain visibility and fresh perspectives.
And WorkIQ continues to position itself as a space where collaboration between education and business happens naturally.
The work created during the session doesn’t end on the day. Over the coming weeks, WorkIQ will continue to share and build on the content produced by the students, extending the reach and value of the workshop beyond the classroom.
With two successful editions delivered, this workshop is becoming a key moment in connecting emerging talent with the local business community in Tallaght.
If you’re a student, lecturer, or business interested in getting involved in future workshops or collaborations, get in touch with us.
And if you’d like to see the results of this year’s workshop, keep an eye on our social channels as we showcase the work created by the students over the coming weeks.