A new multi-million-euro innovation centre has been opened by Future Cast in Manorhamilton. Co. Leitrim, to drive Ireland’s construction and quarrying industries.
The €3.25m investment has transformed a derelict 200-year-old church into an impressive 10,000 sq ft innovation, R&D and science hub and is expected to create 15 new roles.
The Future Cast Innovation, Research and Development and Education Centre in Manorhamilton was officially opened today (Friday, June 19th) by Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment Peter Burke and attended by Minister of State at the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Marian Harkin.
The former St Clare’s Hall church in the town has been redeveloped into a state-of-the-art facility featuring a geological material science laboratory, prototype-building and machine-development spaces, facilities for green skills training – and a 3D concrete printer.
The project was supported by the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment under the Border Enterprise Development Fund administered by Enterprise Ireland.
The Future Cast Innovation, Research and Development and Education Centre will provide companies and individual designers access to space, technical expertise and equipment. This will give them the opportunity to develop their ideas, build prototypes, and progress R&D projects.
It is expected that skills training will include programmes related to 3D concrete printing and the maintenance of offshore wind energy infrastructure.
Future Cast is a not-for-profit organisation supporting innovation, education and R&D in the construction, manufacturing and quarrying industries.
The organisation currently employs 22 people across its existing facilities at the W8 building in Manorhamilton and Ballaghaderreen, Co. Roscommon.
However, the Innovation, Research and Development and Education Centre in Manorhamilton promises to create an additional 15 jobs over the coming years. Roles include those in concrete and material science, machine design, prototype development and specialist training.
The launch brought together government, industry and academic representatives to mark the opening of the new rural innovation facility.
Minister Peter Burke delivered the keynote speech at the event, which also featured contributions from Minister Harkin; Future Cast CEO JJ O’Hara; Enterprise Ireland Executive Director Mark Christal; Vice President at ATU (Enterprise & Engagement)at ATU Sligo Chris O’Malley; and Shane Kerrigan of the Kerrigan Group.
A panel discussion, ‘Innovation in Action: Prototyping, Materials, and the Future of Construction and Quarrying in Ireland’, was made up of leading figures from industry and academia, such as Gerry Farrell, CEO of the Irish Concrete Federation; Anthony Fitzpatrick, Head of Enterprise and Economic Development at South Tipperary County Council; Ciaran McManus, Director of Development and Support at South West College; and Dr Roisín Hyde, founder of 3DCP start-up NoMAD, chartered architect, and PhD in Computation Design, Concrete Technology and Digital Fabrication
Future Cast, which is the trading name of Manorhamilton Innovation and Development CLG, works with more than 220 member and partner companies across its programmes.
Future Cast is a European Digital Innovation Hub, helping companies across Ireland to access innovation, digitalisation and R&D supports. The organisation also plays a leading role in 14 European projects through flagship EU initiatives like Erasmus+, which supports education and youth; Interreg, which fosters regional cohesion; and Horizon Europe, which tackles research and innovation.
The opening of the Future Cast Innovation, Research and Development and Education Centre follows the organisation’s development of its W8 Innovation, Research & Education Centre, also based in Manorhamilton. The project has transformed the region into a centre for Industry 4.0 adoption, enterprise collaboration, and advanced technology innovation.
Alongside that, Future Cast opened a new €1m training centre for mechanical and electrical trades in the centre of Ballaghaderreen in June 2025. The Mechanical and Electrical Training and Assessment Centre (METAC) at Mill Business Park features a state-of-the-art equipment, 16-person classrooms, and dedicated workshop spaces for up to 10 learners.
The projects represent a sum total of more than €5million of investment in the development of supports for businesses across the construction, quarrying, manufacturing and wider industrial sectors in recent years.
Peter Burke TD, Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, said:
“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.
“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.”
Marian Harkin T.D., Minister of State at the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, says:
“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. This training is supported through National Training Fund, providing upskilling in process automation through technologies such as robotics, augmented reality, and artificial intelligence.”
Future Cast CEO JJ O’Hara says:
“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. 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.
“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.”
Mark Christal, Executive Director, Enterprise Ireland, said:
“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. 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.”
Shane Kerrigan, founder of the W8 Centre and Director of Future Cast, said:
“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. Together with the W8 Centre, we are creating an innovation ecosystem that gives businesses, entrepreneurs, researchers and learners access to world-class facilities, expertise and opportunities that will help them prosper and grow into the future.
“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.
“Today’s opening is as much a celebration of the team behind the project as it is of the building itself. I am deeply grateful for their commitment, professionalism and belief in what we are trying to achieve.”
