Minister Damien English T.D., Minister of State at the Departments of Education and Skills and Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, performed the official opening of ManorHUB today, a new unique centre for business excellence offering 100MB broadband in Manorhamilton, North Leitrim. Minister English, speaking at the launch said he was “extremely impressed with the design and capabilities of the new hub. The jobs that it will help create here in the North West are in a key development sector for the Irish economy – knowledge-driven, high-end jobs that we in Government are constantly trying to win for Ireland or develop here at regional level. This new initiative is a fantastic example of what can be achieved at local level with the right focus on what’s needed and the ‘know-how’ of locally-based stakeholders to make it happen”.

The high quality business accommodation at ManorHUB includes shared office space with secure storage, hot desk office space, a coffee dock and a boardroom with state-of-the-art audio-visual equipment. High-speed broadband and secure online booking are at the core of this unique service offered to professionals working remotely, small businesses and start-ups in the North West region.

Speaking at the launch, Ronan Haslette, Managing Director, outlined how “ManorHUB is a strategic asset to the locality, offering an exceptional opportunity for entrepreneurs in the North West to work and collaborate in a business community of technologists, professionals and business leaders. It offers a solution to local business hampered by poor broadband infrastructure and lack of high end business facilities in the area and will secure valuable jobs in the North West region for the future”.

The first tenant is FABLAB Manorhamilton, a digital fabrication facility providing enterprises, creatives, schools and hobbyists access to a wide range of fabrication technologies such as 3D printing, laser cutting and open source electronics.

Joe Lowe of the Local Enterprise Office commented that “The Leitrim Enterprise Office (formerly the County Enterprise Board) have approved funding for approximately 12 new businesses in the Manorhamilton area over the past 18-24 months. The Enterprise Office are very supportive of the development of ManorHUB, recognising that it is crucial for new or expanding businesses to have access to high-speed broadband in an affordable, high quality office space and to have the opportunity to create network opportunities– all of which is provided at ManorHUB. Having the FABLAB located there is significant, helping to create synergies and a culture of learning and cooperation for new and expanding businesses.”

ManorHUB is a unique venture which offers a blueprint for the rural Irish economy for the years ahead.

For more information or to book online visit our website at www.manorhub.ie or contact Bernadette Weaver on 071 984 0554.