A network for people, companies and organisations working in digital media on the west coast was inaugurated in Ennis this week.
AMnet (Atlantic Media network) has among its main aims the fostering of content and the creation of a critical mass of new media interests, to counterbalance the current concentration on activity around Dublin and the east coast.
"We are not anti-Dublin, but we do want to see more resources in the regions, for example, we want more connectivity," said Mr John Gleeson of 3Pcrew in Limerick, who has been working on behalf of a programme called TRESP (Trans-Regional Services Sector Support) to help get AMnet off the ground.
"We want to enhance the profile of the Atlantic regions to attract talented, skilled people. That is the biggest thing," he said.
"We want to encourage more alliances of local companies, and we want to attract more public and private investment."
AMnet founding members include the TV/Internet/telephone company Chorus Communication, which has its headquarters in Limerick, and two firms based in the Shannon Duty Free Zone, a design company, Creative Fusion, and Nelvana International, which produces animated content for television and new media.
From Galway there are Aro, Galway Film Centre, Magma Films, Telegael and TG4, whose managing director, Ms Siun Ni Raghaillaigh, is the chairwoman of AMnet.
From Killarney comes wapprofit.com
Development agencies Shannon Development, Udaras na Gaeltachta and Enterprise Ireland are backing AMnet. TRESP is a collaborative initiative of Shannon Development and the Welsh Development Agency.
Ms Linda Harpwood, company manager for SGRIN (Media Agency for Wales), was in Ennis for the launching.
The network website is at www.amnet.ie