Reflecting on 9 Years of Dublin UX: A Milestone Event at UXDX

I recently had the pleasure of hosting a milestone event for Dublin UX—our 55th event—at the UXDX conference. This event also coincided with the growth of our community to over 4,000 members. Since the very first Dublin UX event in 2015, my mission has been to create a space where UX professionals can collaborate, learn, and innovate together—without the barriers of cost. Dublin UX has always been about delivering that conference feeling—for free.

This time, I took it one step further by inviting the community to a free pop-up event at UXDX, giving our members access to a high-profile conference setting while staying true to the values of Dublin UX. The event kicked off the discovery stage, and I was thrilled to see our community come together in such an exciting environment.

One of the highlights was the panel discussion I moderated, featuring Karen Hawkins, Gareth Crossan, and Mick Keane—three incredible experts in the field of digital accessibility. The discussion centered on the critical topic of digital accessibility and the upcoming European Accessibility Act (EAA). Each panelist shared practical insights into how UX and development teams can not only meet the requirements but also drive innovation through inclusive design.

• Karen Hawkins, from Level Access, shared her experience leading accessible design practices and how teams can embed accessibility into every part of their process.

• Gareth Crossan and Mick Keane, both Principal Digital Accessibility Engineers and co-founders of Accessibility Ireland, provided valuable perspectives on the challenges and opportunities posed by the EAA, particularly for large organizations.

The panel explored real-world implications for both UX and development teams, emphasizing that accessibility is not just about compliance—it’s a key driver of innovation. It was a dynamic, insightful conversation that underscored the importance of prioritizing inclusivity in every stage of design and development.

This event was particularly meaningful to me because it reaffirmed the mission of Dublin UX: to make high-quality learning accessible to everyone. By bringing the community into the UXDX conference for this free pop-up, I was able to create a truly special experience that aligned perfectly with the values I’ve upheld since starting Dublin UX.

As I look forward to the future, I’m excited about what’s next for Dublin UX. Thank you to the incredible speakers, the team at UXDX (Catherine and Rory), and—most importantly—everyone in the community for being a part of this journey. With more events and collaborations on the horizon, I’m committed to continuing to grow this community and make UX knowledge accessible to all.

Stay tuned to DublinUX.ie for future events—I can’t wait to see where we go next!