From DCU Dragons’ Den to the national airwaves: CeolConnect attracts media attention

A business idea developed by three DCU Business School students as part of their New Enterprise Development module is gaining national attention as it seeks to transform the way live music is booked across Ireland.

CeolConnect was founded by DCU Business Studies graduates Eoghan Matthews, Hugh Prendergast and Sam Owens. The digital platform connects musicians directly with pubs, hotels, restaurants and other venues, bringing bookings, scheduling, communication and payments together in one system.

The founders developed CeolConnect during their final year at DCU Business School before presenting the concept at the DCU Dragons’ Den in April. The annual event challenges students to apply their learning by developing commercially viable solutions to real-world problems and pitching them to experienced industry professionals.

The idea for CeolConnect emerged from Eoghan’s own experience as a working musician. Live music bookings are often managed through a fragmented combination of telephone calls, messages, spreadsheets and informal arrangements. This can make it difficult for venues to identify available performers, manage recurring bookings or find replacements when cancellations occur.

CeolConnect has been designed to simplify this process. Musicians can use the platform to create professional profiles, showcase their experience, manage their availability and access new performance opportunities. Venues can discover verified musicians, organise their live entertainment calendars, manage bookings and process payments through one central platform.

The platform launched on 23 July 2026, with close to 500 musicians and more than 150 venues having registered ahead of its launch. CeolConnect is initially focusing on the Irish market, with its first targeted launch taking place in Carrick-on-Shannon before expanding to other towns and cities.

Media coverage

The Irish Times: New platform aims to revolutionise how live music is booked
https://www.irishtimes.com/business/innovation/2026/03/12/new-platform-aims-to-revolutionise-how-live-music-is-booked/

Irish Independent: CeolConnect app to launch in Leitrim as Irish start-up targets overhaul of pub and hotel gig bookings
https://www.independent.ie/county/leitrim/ceolconnect-app-to-launch-in-leitrim-as-irish-start-up-targets-overhaul-of-pub-and-hotel-gig-bookings/a/158752896.html

Hot Press: CeolConnect – the new Irish start-up fixing live music booking
https://www.hotpress.com/music/ceolconnect-the-new-irish-startup-fixing-live-music-booking-23153470

Leitrim Observer: Revolutionary gig-booking app to launch in Leitrim
https://www.leitrimobserver.ie/news/local-news/revolutionary-gig-booking-app-to-launch-in-leitrim-this-week-8813328

Radio interviews

RTÉ Radio 1 – The Oliver Callan Show
https://www.rte.ie/radio/radio1/clips/22629089/

Newstalk – Breakfast Business with Joe Lynam
https://www.newstalk.com/podcasts/breakfast-business/eoghan-matthews-the-co-founder-of-ceolconnect

RTÉ 2FM
https://www.rte.ie/radio/2fm/clips/22627252/

iRadio – Groupchat Business Spotlight
https://www.iradio.ie/podcasts/the-hub/business-spotlight-ceol-connect

From DCU Dragons’ Den to the national airwaves: CeolConnect attracts media attention