Portershed A Dó Joins SIRO GigaBitHub Initiative

April 24, 2023, SIRO

(L-R, Aoife Cheung, Office Manager, Portershed, Amanda Nelson, CEO of Vodafone Ireland, Mary Rogers, CEO of PorterShed, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Simon Coveney, Amanda Glancy, Director of Corporate Affairs, SIRO, Sheila Kavanagh, Network Director, Vodafone Ireland, Anthony Shaughnessy,Community and Production, PorterShed)

The official opening coincides with the organisation’s 7th birthday. Founded in 2016 the PorterShed has to date supported the creation of more than 835 high value jobs in the region. The new building, funded by the Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment through Enterprise Ireland’s Regional Enterprise Development Fund (REDF) initiative, will become home to an additional 200 indigenous tech startup members, offering a collaborative innovation space, access to SIRO and Vodafone’s full fibre broadband, production studio, boardroom podcast studio, rooftop garden, and conference rooms.

PorterShed has already established itself as a hub for innovation and entrepreneurship under the banner of Galway City Innovation District, creating a down-town innovation community in the heart of Galway City.

(L-R, Sheila Kavanagh, Network Director, Vodafone Ireland, Robert Marshall, Senior Public Affairs, Vodafone Ireland, Amanda Nelson, CEO Vodafone Ireland, Amanda Glancy, Corporate Affairs Director, SIRO.)

Speaking at the official opening, Minister Coveney said he continues to be impressed by the growth of the tech sector in Galway and acknowledged the impact of the PorterShed in the region since it first opened in 2016.

“I am delighted to be here today to officially open PorterShed a Dó in the heart of Galway city. This remarkable state-of-the art facility in the former iconic Connaught Tribune Building will play a central role in enabling the growth of scaling enterprises in the West and further afield.

The opening of Portershed a Dó, supported by over €2.9m in funding from my Department’s Regional Enterprise Development Fund, will further cement Galway’s reputation as hub for innovation and provide high potential businesses with the space and support they need to flourish and prosper. It is an example of one of the many enterprise initiatives the Government has supported throughout the country. The West Regional Enterprise Plan is responsive to the opportunities and needs of the region and focuses on regional collaboration. PorterShed is an example of the power of that collaboration, and I hope and expect that it will inspire similar initiatives in the region. I wish the centre and all the companies and entrepreneurs that avail of the facilities on offer every success for the future.”

(L-R, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, speaking with Siren, member of PorterShed present with Mayor of Galway, Clodagh Higgins, Sheila Kavanagh, Network Director, Vodafone Ireland, Senator Sean Kyne, Government Chief Whip and Minister of State at the Department of Health, Hildegard Naughton, Mary Rogers, CEO PorterShed, Robert Marshall, Senior Public Affairs, Vodafone Ireland, and Amanda Nelson, CEO, Vodafone Ireland.)

Maurice O’Gorman, Chairperson of PorterShed, said:

“We are thrilled to be celebrating our 7th birthday by opening this new building, which will provide even more opportunities for tech startups to innovate and grow. We are grateful for the ongoing support of Enterprise Ireland who have been pivotal partners and funders for the PorterShed since 2016.”

John Keaney, CEO of SIRO, said:

 ”We are pleased to be a part of the PorterShed story. Launched in 2017, the GigaBitHub Initiative has enabled digital hubs across Ireland to thrive by providing enterprise-grade symmetric, full fibre broadband. In 2022, the Portershed became the 17th hub to join the initiative, and we are proud to have played a role in supporting the growth and development of startups and innovative businesses in the Galway region. We look forward to continuing our partnership with PorterShed and supporting their mission to foster a culture of innovation in the community.”

(L-R, Amanda Glancy, Corporate Affairs Director, SIRO, Amanda Nelson, CEO, Vodafone Ireland)

Amanda Nelson, CEO at Vodafone Ireland said:

‘It is fantastic to see hubs just like the PorterShed continue to go from strength to strength. Today’s opening of PorterShed a Dó, demonstrates the continued value, demand and need for smart working hubs throughout the country. Through our Gigabit hub initiative our goal has always been to empower local businesses and communities through connectivity. The PorterShed is a shining example of what’s possible when we look at how connectivity can enable and enhance the work life balance of the people it serves, ultimately allowing them to pursue their careers within the area they are from, without sacrificing their quality of life or being forced to move to larger cities or abroad’’

The PorterShed is also supported by AIB, KPMG, Enterprise Ireland and The Western Development Commission.

SIRO and Vodafone are currently seeking applications for the GigaBitHub initiative. For more information, please visit www.siro.ie/gigabit-hub

For more information about PorterShed and its new building, please visit www.portershed.com

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