Campus Íosagáin Officially Opened by Taoiseach Micheál Martin

10th April 2026

Pictured: An Taoiseach Micheál Martin TD, performed the official opening of Campas Íosagáin, Baile Bhuirne, Co. Cork. Campas Íosagáin was developed in partnership between Údarás na Gaeltachta and Enterprise Ireland as a digital enterprise hub for the Gaeltacht Mhúscraí.

€10 million Renovation of Renowned College in the Múscraí Gaeltacht

What was once one of Ireland's most celebrated Gaeltacht colleges has been reborn as a purpose-built digital innovation campus, after an almost €10 million transformation that promises to reshape the future of rural enterprise in Ireland. Today, Taoiseach Micheál Martin officially opened Campus Íosagáin; a modern digital hub at the heart of Baile Bhuirne, Co. Cork. This is a landmark day for the local community and the Múscraí Gaeltacht as a whole, marking the end of a 15-month construction period on one of the most significant rural development projects undertaken by Údarás na Gaeltachta in recent years.

A total of almost €10 million was invested in the renovation of Coláiste Íosagáin; the historic building that once served as a Gaeltacht boarding school. Under the direction of Údarás na Gaeltachta, the centre will create 200 new full-time jobs, providing a major and immediate boost to the local economy. This figure is expected to rise to 320 positions once the campus reaches full operational capacity, making it one of the most significant single employment announcements in rural Cork in recent years.

The project was funded through a €3.4 million grant from the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, along with €2.7 million funding by the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment through Enterprise Ireland's Regional Enterprise Development Fund (REDF) initiative, and €3.8 million from Údarás na Gaeltachta.

Campus Íosagáin will serve as a dedicated innovation centre, supporting a wide range of users, from local entrepreneurs to remote workers and growing businesses. In the first phase, it is planned to support more than 45 companies, with further development stages to follow. Among the tenants moving into the campus are Lia Eyecare Technology, Réalta Technologies, Gearóid Ó Laoire Computer Services, Comhar Naíonraí na Gaeltachta, and Skillnet South West; reflecting the business and community diversity that will define the new hub.

Set in the surroundings of the Gaeltacht, the centre is equipped with the latest technology and robust business infrastructure. The building will be operated sustainably, using BioLPG as fuel, low-energy lighting, natural ventilation in place of air conditioning, and a smart Building Management System (BMS) managing heat throughout the property. Businesses benefit from built-in operational resilience, a backup generator covers power outages, while three independent broadband systems (satellite, radio, and fibre optic) ensure connectivity is never dependent on a single line. This infrastructure makes Campus Íosagáin a genuinely viable base for businesses at every stage, from early-stage start-ups to established enterprises looking to grow.

Speaking at the opening of the Campus, the Taoiseach said:

"I am delighted to be here in the heart of Gaeltacht Mhúscraí to officially open Campas Íosagáin. Innovative projects like the one we have the privilege of opening today, demonstrate what can be achieved through strong local advocacy and action, the development of strategic partnerships and the provision of Government investment.

"The scale of collective investment in Campas Íosagáin speaks to the level of ambition shown by project partners. Investing in ambitious and strategic large-scale projects like Campas Íosagáin will have a transformative impact in our rural and Gaeltacht communities across Ireland."

"We are absolutely delighted that Campus Íosagáin is being opened by Taoiseach Micheál Martin," said Tomás Ó Síocháin, Chief Executive of Údarás na Gaeltachta. "This is a historic day for the area and for the entire Múscraí Gaeltacht. Campus Íosagáin will accelerate research and development, building on the strengths of the region, in Baile Bhuirne and Cork more broadly. Campus Íosagáin is set to become a destination of choice for high-calibre, highly skilled professionals, drawing top talent to the Gaeltacht region. Beyond attracting a skilled workforce, it will function as a centre of excellence for training and development, serving the needs of both public and private sector organisations alike."

Also speaking at the opening, Minister Calleary said:

"With investment from my department, through the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, this project revitalised a vacant and derelict building into a state-of-the-art facility that will support enterprise and economic development and innovation.

"This is exactly the kind of innovation that I want for rural Ireland. Working with partners such as Údarás na Gaeltachta, a body under the aegis of my department, and Enterprise Ireland to deliver projects that we advocate for in the Government's rural development policy, Our Rural Future. This collaboration has resulted in over €7m of the total funding allocation for the project coming from my department's capital budget available under the National Development Plan. This is helping to unlock the enormous potential in rural Ireland, and in doing so, making places like Baile Bhuirne better places to live, work, and invest in. This significant investment will also, of course, support the implementation of the statutory language planning process in Gaeltacht Mhuscraí."

Jim Woulfe, Chair of Enterprise Ireland said:

"Enterprise Ireland is committed to supporting Irish businesses at every stage of their development, from start-up through to growth and international scaling. Projects such as Campus Íosagáin demonstrate the importance of regional development within our national strategy. Through close collaboration between stakeholders and comprehensive support, we will drive economic growth across the regions. I commend everyone who contributed their time and expertise to bring this project to completion."

Coláiste Íosagáin was established as a preparatory college in 1940, named after the celebrated work of Pádraig Mac Piarais (Patrick Pearse). Now, with the official opening of the new campus, a new chapter begins in its long story, one that promises a bright future for the Gaeltacht community.

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