Ennis Information Age Town: Virtuality Rooted in Reality

This paper describes the progress of Ennis, Ireland’s Information Age Town, in its bid to become ‘The Largest Community Technology Project in the World’. An overview of the project outlines the goals, organization, participation and evaluation of the Information Age Town project - confirming the town’s ‘digital’ status. Four key initiatives are examined in detail: the creation of the town’s ICT infrastructure; investment in education and training; the development of public sector projects aimed at increasing civic participation and the evolution of the Ennis website as the community’s premier communication medium. In conclusion, the paper highlights the potential of a virtual community to enhance social cohesion within a community which has an existing, strong physical community and a collective pride in its history, culture and technology.