Taoiseach and Minister Calleary officially open Campas Íosagáin Digital Hub, Baile Bhuirne, Co Cork
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From: Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht
- Published on: 9 April 2026
- Last updated on: 9 April 2026
- €10 million state-of-the-art enterprise development, training and research facility, including a gTeic hub open in Co. Cork
- Investment of over €3.4 million through the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund
- New centre will support enterprise and economic development in the region
Taoiseach Micheál Martin and the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary, today officially opened the new Campas Íosagáin, located in Baile Bhuirne, Co. Cork.
The opening of this state-of-the-art facility in Gaeltacht Mhuscraí follows a full restoration project which has transformed the former derelict site of Coláiste Íosagáin into a state-of-the-art enterprise development, training and research facility.
The project, which has received funding of almost €10 million, saw an investment of over €3.4 million from the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht’s Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF), over €3.7 million from Údarás na Gaeltachta, and a further €2.7 million under Enterprise Ireland’s Regional Enterprise Development Fund.
The facility includes a gTeic digital and innovation hub, aimed at fostering economic growth and innovation in the local Gaeltacht community and beyond.
In addition, Campas Íosagáin will also continue the long tradition of learning at the site, through the provision of training facilities, extending third level institutions into the Gaeltacht.
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”.
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 €7 million of the total funding allocation for the project coming from my departments 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.”
Also speaking on the opening, Jerry Buttimer, Minister of State with responsibility for Community Development and Charities, added:
“As Minister for Community Development, I see first-hand the importance of projects like Campas Íosagáin in supporting the sustainable regeneration and development of our towns and villages."
“The many benefits that will derive from this landmark project will be significant not just for Baile Bhuirne and its surrounds, but also for Co. Cork and the wider region.
Tomás Ó Síocháin, Chief Executive of Údarás na Gaeltachta said:
"We are delighted that Campas Íosagáin is being opened today by the Taoiseach Micheál Martin. This is a historic day for the area and the entire Múscraí Gaeltacht. Campas Íosagáin will accelerate research and development, building on the strengths of the region, in Baile Bhuirne and Cork as a whole. It will serve as a platform for the digital age in the area, attracting high-calibre people to the Gaeltacht and as an exemplary training facility for both the public and private sectors."
Jim Woulfe, Chairman of Enterprise Ireland said:
“Enterprise Ireland is delighted to support Campus Íosagáin with funding of €2.7 million through the Regional Enterprise Development Fund, driving regional economic growth and job creation in the Múscraí Gaeltacht. This investment strengthens the infrastructure required for enterprise to grow and scale in the South West Region, supporting balanced and sustainable economic development.”