Shift Launches in DC ☘️📲

So, What’s the Craic?

The Craic is back, but not in its usual form. This week, we are celebrating the launch of Shift, which made its way into app stores in the US and Canada yesterday. So, instead of our usual mix of Irish news and nonsense, we are going to bring you the latest on Shift, our journey so far, and our goals for the future.

Shift News

We’ve made it! Shift has gone live in the app stores. We are starting in the US and Canada for now, but we will be rolling out further afield, including Ireland, in the New Year. You can see it in all its glory on the Apple App Store here and good aul Google Play here. So, what is it? And what can you do with it now? Well, here’s the skinny: For this launch, we are concentrating on Washington, DC. We have a directory of Irish pubs, organizations, artists, and events in the DC area. The app also gives you the option to start building connections with Irish and Irish-ish folks near you.

If you haven’t got the Shift app yet, head on over to gettheshift.app to download it now.

Don’t live in DC? No problem. We chose DC as a kind of testing ground ahead of our broader North American expansion. It will help us squish any bugs, get more user feedback, and generally dip our toes in the water ahead of a wider launch. Indeed, you can use the app now and contribute to the community even if you live outside of DC. You can start adding your favorite Irish bars in your area, for instance, and tell other users why it does a great pint of Guinness, or add your best stories and memories so other users can discover what makes it special. You can also add events and organizations – from Irish language classes to business networks to gigs. If you don’t have anything to recommend, don’t fret, you can simply join in with the craic on the platform. Remember, Shift is not for the Irish only: We want everyone who loves Ireland and Irish culture to find a home on Shift.

Other Side of the Atlantic? While the early focus is on North America, we are going global. The app will be available in app stores in Ireland and Europe by the end of January, perhaps even earlier if we continue on this trajectory. Anyhow, what we are saying is, don’t feel left out, because we still love ya – Shift is coming to an app store near you in the weeks and months ahead.

Save the Date. Our end goal is for a global release on St Patrick’s Day 2026. By then, we should see the culmination of the hard work, having a full directory of Irish bars, events, artists, and organizations – everywhere. In addition, Shift will also be finding its feet as a social platform, allowing you to connect with Irish people, and even use Shift’s dating service. And remember, while we are building the platform, much of the content will be shaped by your opinions, recommendations, and craic.

The Shift’s Influence

As most of you are aware by now, Shift is the brainchild of Patrick Blood; he’s the veritable Shift Daddy (he makes us call him that in work meetings. Seriously). Patrick is the owner of Blackwell Property Management and is a firm fixture on Irish-American business networks. While these days Patrick can be seen loping across the rugged terrain of West Virginia, where he made his home, he is a proud Irishman who never forgot his roots. His dream was to create a global hub for the Irish – the 70 million souls worldwide with a touch of green in their blood – where they could connect with like-minded folk, learn about Irish arts and culture, discover bars and events, and even find some romance.

Cúpla Focal

Shift – A passionate clinch, something akin to kissing. The nomenclature around Shift was always intended to be a double entendre. First, there is the literal sense to signify movement, touching on the Irish predilection to travel around the world. And there’s also the cheeky little nod to shift in the figurative sense. Technically, to shift is to kiss, but the Irish sense has always been a little less sexually overt, almost mocking. The question, “Did you get the shift last night?”, is always, always tinged with humor.

Blast from the (Recent) Past

Two Irishmen walk into a bar…. You know how the joke goes. Nah, our story’s protagonist, Patrick, met Paul Murphy at an Irish Network DC event in Bethesda, Maryland the week after Paddy’s day 2024. They soon became fast friends – friends with certain benefits. You see, while Patrick had a dream to build a hub for the global Irish, it just so happened that Paul is the CEO of 3Advance, a product development studio in DC founded with fellow Irishman Darren Gibney, that creates, among other things, mobile apps. With that stroke of serendipity, the two friends could start discussing a blueprint for Shift. Late last year, things got serious: Paul, who is credited as a co-founder of Shift, cranked the 3Advance machine into gear, bringing in the designers, developers, dataists, and Darren (Paul’s partner and guvnor of the 3Advance engine room) to help make this idea a reality. It’s been a long, hard road to get to this stage, but it’s been worth it. As such, we want to give a shout out to the 3Advance team who worked like beavers to get Shift ready, as well as all the friends and family who tested the app, gave invaluable feedback, and helped make it so much better. We’d also love to say a big thank you to Vivienne Sawyers, our brilliant Marketing Manager, who helps hone our messaging and puts a little method to all the madness.

And One Last Thing….

We guess that the best way to finish this week is by talking about our goals for Shift. And the best way to do that is by describing what the platform will look like, say, a year from now. Well, by then, you’ll be able to access Shift wherever you are in the world, find out what’s happening near you or any city you plan to visit. On the social side, our aim is that Shift is fueled by user recommendations – letting you know why you must see this Irish band play a gig in NYC, or why a certain bar does the best Guinness in Galway. But wait, there’s more: We want you to use Shift to connect, meet new friends and even find love through Shift Dating. We have just taken the first step in this journey, but there is so much more to come. Patrick, Paul, and the team are hugely excited – and we are fecking delighted that you are going on this journey with us.

In the meantime, let’s leave you with some ways you can support Shift’s mission☘️:

Follow us on Instagram here.
Follow us on Facebook here.
Follow us on LinkedIn here.

Oh, and if you weren’t on board already, The Craic from Shift is our weekly newsletter covering Irish news, culture, history, and humor. We send it out every Friday. If you want The Craic in your inbox or know someone who might enjoy our shenanigans, you can sign up for free here.