Future Cast has redeveloped an historic church in Leitrim to create skilled jobs and accelerate Industry 4.0 adoption in the North-West.
Future Cast has officially opened a €3.25 million innovation, research and education centre in Manorhamilton, Co Leitrim, marking a significant investment in Ireland’s construction, manufacturing and quarrying sectors.
The project has transformed the former St Clare’s Hall, a derelict church with more than 200 years of history, into a 10,000 sq ft state-of-the-art facility. The centre is expected to create 15 new specialist roles over the coming years, adding to the organisation’s existing workforce of 22 across its sites in Manorhamilton and Ballaghaderreen.
“We are creating a place where companies, entrepreneurs, researchers and young people can come together to test ideas, build prototypes, develop new technologies and gain the skills needed for the future of work”
The facility was formally opened on Friday, June 19, by Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment Peter Burke, with Minister of State for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Marian Harkin also in attendance.
Concrete foundations
Pictured: Eamon Scanlon, TD; Joan Mullins of Enterprise Ireland; Sean Glackin, CFO of Future Cast; Meabh Conaghan of Enterprise Ireland; Mark Christal, Executive Director of Enterprise Ireland; Brendan Mc Cormick of Enterprise Ireland; Minister Peter Burke; Minister of State Marian Harkin, TD; Dr Chris O’Malley; Frank Feighan, TD; J.J. O Hara, CEO of Future Cast; Shane Kerrigan, Director of Future Cast
Designed as a hub for innovation and collaboration, the centre features a geological materials science laboratory, prototype development and machine design spaces, along with training facilities focused on green skills. A 3D concrete printer forms a central part of its advanced capabilities.
The project received backing from the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment through the Border Enterprise Development Fund administered by Enterprise Ireland.
The centre will provide access to high-end equipment, technical expertise and collaborative space for SMEs, researchers and designers. It aims to support the development of new technologies, enable prototyping and advance research projects in key industrial sectors.
Training programmes at the facility will include skills in 3D concrete printing and the maintenance of offshore wind energy infrastructure. These programmes are intended to support Ireland’s growing focus on sustainable construction and renewable energy.
Minister Peter Burke said the centre would strengthen the region’s enterprise ecosystem and support business growth.
“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,” he said.
“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.”
Minister Marian Harkin highlighted the role of training and upskilling, particularly in advanced technologies.
“I am delighted to see this investment in Manorhamilton. This new state-of-the-art facility will host critical training delivered by Industry 4.0 Skillnet and will support businesses in the North West in the manufacturing, construction, and quarrying industries,” she said.
“This training is supported through National Training Fund, providing upskilling in process automation through technologies such as robotics, augmented reality, and artificial intelligence.”
Rural innovation revolution
Future Cast CEO JJ O’Hara said the project is focused on bringing practical innovation into rural Ireland.
“Future Cast’s new innovation centre in Manorhamilton project is designed to bring innovation, science and R&D into rural Ireland in a very practical way,” he said.
“We are creating a place where companies, entrepreneurs, researchers and young people can come together to test ideas, build prototypes, develop new technologies and gain the skills needed for the future of work.”
O’Hara also pointed to the importance of repurposing the historic building.
“This was a derelict building with a long history in Manorhamilton, and we are proud to have been able to bring it back into use as a modern innovation centre while retaining its unique character and connection to the town. The centre demonstrates how regional hubs can become valuable national resources for industry-led innovation, green skills and practical R&D.”
Enterprise Ireland Executive Director Mark Christal said the investment reflects the impact of targeted regional funding.
“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,” he said.
“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.”
Future Cast, operating as Manorhamilton Innovation and Development CLG, is a European Digital Innovation Hub working with more than 220 member and partner companies. It is involved in 14 EU-funded initiatives spanning programmes such as Erasmus+, Interreg and Horizon Europe.
The new facility builds on the organisation’s earlier W8 Innovation Centre in Manorhamilton, which has helped position the region as a centre for Industry 4.0 adoption and enterprise collaboration.
In June 2025, Future Cast also opened a €1 million Mechanical and Electrical Training and Assessment Centre in Ballaghaderreen. Combined, its recent projects represent more than €5 million in investment in regional enterprise supports.
Shane Kerrigan, Director of Future Cast and founder of the W8 Centre, said the development reinforces the potential of rural communities.
“The opening of Future Cast’s new Research, Innovation, Development and Education Centre represents the next step in our mission to demonstrate that rural communities can be places where innovation, enterprise and opportunity thrive,” he said.
“We see this investment helping to build long-term economic resilience, supporting our young people, enabling the development of future industries, and ensuring that the North West and Border Region can play a leading role in Ireland’s future economy.”
-
Bank of Ireland is welcoming new customers every day – funding investments, working capital and expansions across multiple sectors. To learn more, click here
-
For support in challenging times, click here
-
Listen to the ThinkBusiness Podcast for business insights and inspiration. All episodes are here. You can also listen to the Podcast on:
-
Spotify
-
SoundCloud
-
Apple
