Taoiseach Enda Kenny rings the opening bell of the NASDAQ at the Dublin Web Summit today
An Taoiseach Enda Kenny rang the opening bell of the NASDAQ in a special ceremony to coincide with the Dublin Web Summit earlier today, alongside NASDAQ’s executive vice-president, Bruce Aust.
The two opened the stock market live on stage at the Summit, representing one of the few times this ceremony has taken place outside the US, and the first time in Ireland.
“It is my great honour to ring the opening bell for the NASDAQ during Europe’s biggest and best tech conference, the Dublin Web Summit. Ringing the NASDAQ bell from Dublin is symbolic of Ireland’s prime position as a hub of digital enterprise and innovation,” Kenny said.
He went on to add that Dublin had become one of the most exciting places on the planet today for building the businesses of tomorrow.
Ireland continues to be a global draw for tech start-ups, Kenny added. “I’m confident they will play a large part in shaping the future of the internet.”
“We are delighted to be partnering the Dublin Web Summit this year and are proud to be able to bring the NASDAQ opening bell to Ireland for the first time,” said Aust. “The country is a hotbed for the creative and multinational talent that these tech giants need.”
“Opening the NASDAQ from the Dublin Web Summit is bringing international attention on Dublin as a vibrant tech city,” said Paddy Cosgrave, founder, Dublin Web Summit. “It is important to us that we support Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland in promoting Irish companies and Ireland as an investment location.”
Barry O’Leary, CEO, IDA Ireland, added his voice to the enthusiasm. “The NASDAQ index is synonymous with some of the great names in the internet age. The opening of today’s trading from the Web Summit in Dublin will shine a light on the companies that have chosen Ireland as a location to do business.”
The organisers of the sold-out Web Summit expect some 10,000 attendees over the two days, and the event continues tomorrow with speakers like Phil Libin of Evernote; Patrick Collison, co-founder, Stripe; Matt Mullenweg, founder of WordPress, and Elon Musk of Tesla fame.
