A FORMER college in Ballyvourney has been transformed into a €10m digital hub in the heart of the Gaeltacht Muskerry which will support innovation and is designed to support remote working.

An Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary  recently officially opened the state-of-the-art enterprise development, training and research centre at Campas Íosagáin, formerly Coláiste Íosagáin.

Campus Íosgain will also support entrepreneurship and digital enterprise in the region and will also provide modern training facilities, helping to extend third-level opportunities into the Gaeltacht.

Cork North West FF TD Aindrias Moynihan said it was a really proud day for Ballyvourney and for the whole Muskerry area.

‘To see this building brought back to life this and at such a high standard is something people locally can genuinely take pride in,’ he said.

‘What stood before was a derelict site. What stands here now is a modern hub for jobs, learning and innovation. That’s a powerful change and it shows what can be achieved when there’s a clear plan and strong local drive behind it.’

Deputy Moynihan added that it’s about creating opportunities.‘It means people can work closer to home, start and grow businesses locally and access education without having to leave the area. For a Gaeltacht community like ours, that matters.

He added that this is just the first phase of what is a very ambitious project.

‘I’m particularly keen to see this space become not just a hub for enterprise and innovation but also a place where culture and the arts can thrive. There is a real opportunity here to create a vibrant centre for the community and to continue building on this momentum into the future.’

Cork North West FG TD John Paul O’Shea described the new facility as a ‘transformational investment’ for the wider Cork North West region.

‘This a landmark day for Ballyvourney and the wider Muskerry Gaeltacht. The transformation of the former Coláiste Íosagáin site into a modern enterprise, training and research hub is a shining example of what can be achieved through vision, collaboration and sustained Government investment.’