Minister Peter Burke Launches Future Cast's New Innovation, Research, Development and Education Centre

Future Cast Expands Regional Innovation Ecosystem to Support Enterprise, Research and Skills for the Future Economy

Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke TD, today officially opened Future Cast's new Innovation, Research, Development and Education Centre in Manorhamilton, marking a major milestone in the organisation's mission to strengthen innovation, research, enterprise development and workforce skills across rural and regional Ireland.

The purpose-built 10,000 sq. ft. facility, created through the transformation of a former 200-year-old church building, will provide businesses, entrepreneurs, researchers and learners with access to specialist innovation infrastructure, technical expertise and advanced technology supports designed to help accelerate growth, competitiveness and sustainable economic development.

The new centre represents the latest stage in Future Cast's long-term vision to create a connected innovation ecosystem supporting businesses, entrepreneurs, researchers and learners throughout the North West and Border Region, while delivering innovation, research, education and skills development services to companies and organisations across Ireland.

The Manorhamilton facility builds upon the foundations established through the W8 Innovation, Research & Education Centre, a flagship innovation project that helped position the region as a centre for Industry 4.0 adoption, enterprise collaboration and advanced technology innovation. Together, the W8 Innovation, Research & Education Centre and the new Future Cast Innovation, Research, Development and Education Centre represent more than €4 million of investment in innovation, research, education, enterprise development and regional regeneration infrastructure.

Collectively, these facilities provide a growing network of specialist resources supporting businesses across the construction, quarrying, manufacturing and wider industrial sectors through access to technical expertise, research capability, digital innovation supports, prototype development facilities and workforce skills programmes.

The new centre features:

• A geological and material science laboratory
• Prototype-building and machine-development facilities
• Dedicated research and development space
• Innovation and product development supports
• Specialist education and training facilities focused on green skills and emerging technologies

A particular focus of the centre will be supporting workforce development linked to renewable energy and offshore wind opportunities, including training in rigging, blade repair, inspection technologies and related specialist skills required to support Ireland's energy transition.

The facility will also support entrepreneurs, designers, inventors and companies seeking access to technical expertise, specialist equipment and innovation supports to develop new products, test concepts, undertake research and development activities and bring innovations closer to commercialisation.

The project is expected to support the creation of highly skilled employment opportunities in areas including material science, engineering, prototype development, machine design, innovation management and specialist training provision.

The development was supported through the Border Enterprise Development Fund (BEDF), administered by Enterprise Ireland on behalf of the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, together with investment from regional industry partners.

The Border Enterprise Development Fund was established to support collaborative enterprise-led projects that strengthen economic development and competitiveness across the Border Region. The fund was financed through the Brexit Adjustment Reserve (BAR), a European Union initiative designed to assist regions and sectors most affected by the impacts of Brexit.

Speaking at the official opening, Minister Peter Burke TD, Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, said: “Future Cast's Innovation, Research, Development and Education Centre will provide unique skills development services to support entrepreneurship and SMEs to start and grow across the wider North-West region. 

This centre will play an important part within the wider enterprise ecosystem supporting business development locally, working closely with Enterprise Ireland and the Local Enterprise Office, among others. Competitiveness remains at the heart of Ireland’s enterprise policy and our ambition is for Ireland to remain a frontrunner when it comes to innovation. The Future Cast centre will provide invaluable research and education initiatives to individuals and businesses to stay ahead of the curve on innovation and productivity.”

Speaking on behalf of Enterprise Ireland, Mark Christal, Executive Director, Enterprise Ireland, said: “This state-of-the-art innovation centre is a prime example of how Enterprise Ireland’s Border Enterprise Development funding is enabling high-impact regional initiatives that drive innovation and enterprise. By supporting Future Cast, we are backing a model that connects entrepreneurs, researchers, SMEs and start-ups to world-class expertise, accelerates growth, and strengthens the North West’s position as a vibrant hub for sustainable business. By bringing together a diverse range of skills, knowledge and resources, the centre will allow for real collaboration to take place and accelerate the growth of the enterprise base in the region.” 

JJ O'Hara, CEO of Future Cast, said:

"Today's opening marks an important milestone not only for Future Cast, but for the wider region. This facility demonstrates what can be achieved when Government, industry and regional stakeholders work together around a shared vision for innovation-led development.

When we first developed the vision that led to projects such as W8, our ambition was to create an innovation ecosystem that would help traditional industries embrace new technologies, develop new products and compete internationally. The opening of this new centre demonstrates how that vision continues to evolve.

Together, our facilities provide businesses, researchers, entrepreneurs and learners with access to world-class infrastructure and expertise within the region. We believe rural Ireland can lead in innovation, research and enterprise development, and this centre is a significant step towards making that ambition a reality."

Building the Future Economy in the Northwest

The opening of the new Innovation, Research, Development and Education Centre reinforces Future Cast's role as a catalyst for enterprise growth, technological innovation and workforce development across the North West and Border Region.

By connecting businesses with research expertise, advanced technologies, specialist facilities and future-focused skills programmes, Future Cast is helping to create the conditions for sustainable economic growth, increased productivity and the development of new products, services and employment opportunities in regional Ireland.
 

Notes to Editors

This project is supported by the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment under the Border Enterprise Development Fund administered by Enterprise Ireland. The Border Enterprise Development Fund was funded under the Brexit Adjustment Reserve (BAR).
 

About Future Cast

Future Cast is an innovation, education, research and development organisation focused on supporting the construction, quarrying, manufacturing and industrial sectors. Working with more than 220 member and partner companies, Future Cast helps businesses adopt advanced technologies, develop innovative products and processes, and improve competitiveness through collaboration, research, training and innovation support services.

Future Cast operates a growing network of innovation, research and training facilities across the North West and Border Region and plays a key role in supporting regional enterprise development, digital transformation and the adoption of Industry 4.0 and Industry 5.0 technologies.
 

Media Enquiries

Future Cast
Patricia Mc Padden

0877706086
info@futurecast.info