A group of demonstrators protested at the Powerscourt Hotel in Wicklow this afternoon, June 28th, objecting to a discreet congregation of Silicon Valley grandees, military brass, and assorted geopolitical hobbyists organised by Palantir co-founder Peter Thiel.
The occasion in question is a retreat called “Dialog”, an invite-only outfit co-founded by Thiel, whose idea of small talk reportedly includes nuclear deterrence and the future of battlefield technologies. Among the topics pencilled in for this year’s event are “Navigating World War III”, “bringing back nuclear”, and “battlefield technologies”.
The gathering itself might have remained entirely off the record were it not for a leak by Swiss hacktivist Maia Arson Crimew. Wired reported that 222 individuals are scheduled to attend the event.
Guests are said to include NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander Europe, General Grynkewich, alongside US officials, former White House security figures, and tech executives. Also in attendance are representatives of Pray.com, giving a talk on “Build-a-Cult”, presumably on hand to cover both bases.
Protesters — some travelling from as far as Mayo — infiltrated the foyer before being ejected, waving Palestinian flags and holding signs accusing organisers and hosts of complicity in war crimes. The protesters promised to “keep coming back” until Powerscourt ceases hosting what they described as “genocide profiteers”.
Powerscourt Estate, keen to distance itself from the affair without actually cancelling it, stated that it would “unreservedly” pull the plug if it could, but is instead bound by a lease agreement with MHL Hotel Collection. Legal advice is, assuredly, being sought.
MHL, a Dublin-based group with a portfolio including the InterContinental Dublin, the Hilton Dublin, and the Spencer Hotel, has yet to comment.
— UPDATE July 3rd 2026 —
On July 3rd, 2026 at 1:30 pm, Powerscourt Hotel confirmed that the event had been cancelled.
