Minister Robert Troy visited Donegal on the 10th of December to visit the site of the Inishowen Digital Innovation Hub in Buncrana and get an update on the progress of the development to date.
The Inishowen Digital Innovation Hub, now branded as the ii inishowen innovation, is a first for the Inishowen Peninsula. It will provide state of the art space and facilities for servicing existing tech entrepreneurs, encourage new tech start-ups, and attract remote workers within Inishowen which will create high valued jobs contributing to the economic development of the area.
The ii inishowen innovation will incorporate renovation of the existing building, the Buncrana Town Centre Council, with a modern extension to provide space for over 70 people with first class facilities and support services.
Welcoming the progress made on the development to date, the Minister of State for Trade Promotion, Digital and Company Regulation said: “It’s great to be able to get around the country again and I’m delighted to visit Buncrana to see the progress being made on the development of the ii Inishowen innovation.”
“The ii Inishowen innovation will be a wonderful facility for not just the Inishowen peninsula but the wider the North-West region. I am delighted that my Department recognised its huge potential, providing funding of nearly €1.1m through the Regional Enterprise Development Fund to the development of what will be an excellent facility.”
“ii Inishowen innovation will become an important asset to the area through fostering and supporting start-up companies and will be the starting point of many successful businesses in the future. This project demonstrates the importance of regional enterprise and what can be achieved with local collaboration and innovation in a rural location.”
“I look forward to returning to Buncrana when ii Inishowen innovation opens next year.”
Robert Troy TD, Minister of State, Trade Promotion, Digital and Company Regulation and Colm Mc Colgan, ERNACT General Manager.Photos by Clive Wasson.
The joint funding for this development has been provided by Enterprise Ireland through the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment’s Regional Enterprise Development Fund and Donegal County Council to Donegal Digital Innovation Company (DDIC), representing an investment of almost €3 million in the project.
This investment will have an impact across the Inishowen Peninsula and contribute towards the development of the region throughout Donegal and the Northwest, including on a crossborder basis with Derry and Ulster University.
It is expected that the ii inishowen innovation will open in late 2022. In the meantime, interim premises will be available in Buncrana during the construction works for ii clients to avail of space.
Cllr. Jack Murray, Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council, said: “This is an important strategic development for the County which will contribute to investment and economic development for years to come and is part of a network of digital hubs of varying sizes being developed under the Council-led Donegal Digital initiative in partnership with Enterprise Ireland, Údaras na Gaeltachta and LYIT .The ii will be a fantastic facility and provide excellent innovation support services to aid growth, encourage new start-ups and create highly skilled jobs in Inishowen”.
Cllr. Nicholas Crossan, Cathaoirleach Inishowen Municipal District; Cllr. Martin McDermott, Leas-Chathaoirleach, Donegal County Council; Charlie McConalogue TD, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine; Robert Troy TD, Minister of State, Trade Promotion, Digital and Company Regulation; Cllr. Jack Murray, Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council; Cllr. Martin Farren, Inishowen Municipal District; Cllr. Rena Donaghey, Inishowen Municipal District; Padraig Mac Lochlainn TD. Photo by Clive Wasson.
Cllr Nicholas Crossan, Chair of Inishowen Municipal District, said “The ii provides a focus for all of the Inishowen development community to work together to grasp the opportunities to create high quality jobs arising out of digitisation and remote working”.
Cllr Rena Donaghey, Chair of Hub Advisory Board said: “I’m delighted to be here today to mark the progress that has been made on this hugely important development for Inishowen and to see the new building taking shape. When complete the ii will be an excellent home for new tech businesses and creation of much needed jobs for the area.”
Cllr. Nicholas Crossan, Cathaoirleach Inishowen Municipal District; Robert Troy TD, Minister of State, Trade Promotion, Digital and Company Regulation; Cllr. Rena Donaghey, Inishowen Municipal District; and Charlie McConalogue, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
Photo by Clive Wasson.
Mr. Colm McColgan, DDIC Board Member, said: “The development of the ii hub is testament to the vision of the Council and expressed thanks to the Cathaoirleach, Councillors and staff of Donegal County Council for the support and financial funding to make this happen”. He also thanked his board colleagues, Brian Boyle, Chairperson of Donegal Digital, and John Andy Bonar, Director of Development in Letterkenny Institute of Technology (LYIT).”
