Local man the inspiration behind West X West conference being staged in Mayo this week
Derek O'Doherty brings international investors, enterprise leaders and leading cultural figures to Castlebar
A MAYO man is the inspiration behind a major conference taking place at the TF Royal Theatre, Castlebar, on Thursday and Friday next, October 15 and 16.
West X West brings together founders, international investors, enterprise leaders and leading cultural figures for two days of panel discussions, keynote interviews, founder activity and live performances.
The 2026 programme features more than 50 speakers, 48 Irish founders, 14 institutional investors representing over €10 billion in investment capacity, and 18 live acts, alongside a programme of cultural interviews, music, comedy and spoken word.
The idea was the brainchild of Derek O'Doherty, a son of Main Street businessman Leo and Jacinta, and who grew up in Rathbawn Drive in the town and is a graduate of Davitt College.
After completing his third-level studies in Dublin, he worked with J.P. Morgan and RBS in London, Sydney and New York, his expertise being in private equity, project and leverage finance.
On his return to Ireland almost two decades ago, he was deeply involved in the venture capital and technology sector before joining the team at Enterprise Ireland where he assisted Irish firms attract international investors.
Derek is now fully focused on making the West X West a successful annual event in his native place.
He said: “Culture is not an addition to West X West; it is central to the experiential nature of what we’re creating by bringing these people together in the west.
“The most interesting conversations often happen when people from different worlds come together.
"By bringing founders, investors, enterprise leaders, artists and cultural voices into the same festival, we are creating the opportunity for much deeper connections that simply cannot happen within just another traditional business or tech conference.
“The cultural programme each evening facilitates those conversations to continue across Castlebar long after the daytime panels and debates have subsided.”
Riverdance composer Bill Whelan, Niall Breslin and the Polaris Quartet, Liam Ó Maonlaí, Roesy, FeliSpeaks and Kevin McGahern are among the cultural figures and performers taking part in West X West.
Across two days and two nights, West X West will bring technology, business and culture together through panel discussions, keynote interviews and 18 live performances spanning music, comedy and spoken word.
Bill Whelan will participate in a special cultural interview exploring creativity, innovation and Ireland’s influence on the international stage.
The evening programme will unfold across the Linenhall Theatre, Christ Church and Bridge Street, transforming Castlebar into a festival setting where conversations from the daytime programme continue through live performance and shared cultural experiences.
On Thursday, October 15, Niall Breslin and the Polaris Quartet will perform at the Linenhall Theatre, while Liam Ó Maonlaí will appear at Christ Church.
Bridge Street will host Roesy, FeliSpeaks and Áine Gordon, with Kevin McGahern as MC, followed later by The Labourers, Seán O’Meara and a Daft Punk tribute.
The Friday programme will include Pilgrims at the Linenhall Theatre; Róisín El Cherif and Dani Larkin at Christ Church; and performances from Emmet O’Brien, Daragh Fleming and Driven Snow at Bridge Street, hosted by comedian Ger Staunton.
The festival will conclude with Slyrydes, Ispíní na hÉireann and the West X West All-Stars.
The daytime programme will also explore the role of creativity, sport and culture in Ireland’s economy and international reputation.
John Crumlish, CEO of Galway International Arts Festival, and Willie Ruane, CEO of Connacht Rugby, will join Naoise Nunn for a keynote conversation entitled Scrums and Stages: How Sport and Culture Became the West’s Best Economic Argument.
Over 300 delegates are attending and members of the public are welcome to drop into the event.