Businesses in Gaeltacht to prosper with launch of gteic@ Na Rosa

New high-quality innovation and digital hub, gteic@ Na Rosa, opened in the largest town in the Donegal Gaeltacht, An Clochán Liath making it one of the 27 gteic hubs opened or on the verge of opening in the Gaeltacht by the middle of this year.

Government Chief Whip and Minister of State for the Gaeltacht and Sports Jack Chambers T.D., in the company of Údarás, na Gaeltachta Chair Anna Ní Ghallachair, cut the ribbon on the 264 square meter hub that will form part of the Gaeltacht Digital Network – a network of over 30 high-speed broadband innovation and digital hubs being developed by Údarás na Gaeltachta in locations throughout the Gaeltacht.

The digital hub is home to 18 shared office spaces, four offices and a canteen. Users of gteic@Na Rosa can avail of the facilities already available in the building such as a meeting room and café as it has been developed in a unit with an existing supermarket, clothing store, café and retail outlets. The new hub has gigabyte broadband capability as well as meeting and video conferencing facilities, telephone kiosks and shared creative spaces.

Technology in Gaeltacht Areas

The gteic digital ecosystem is growing rapidly and provides great opportunities for new technology companies to establish or locate in rural Gaeltacht areas and for their employees to benefit from the excellent quality of life available in beautiful areas such as Na Rosa. A unique feature of the gteic network is that it is developed and operated in collaboration with the local community in these rural areas. gteic@Na Rosa will be managed on behalf of Údarás na Gaeltachta by Comharchumann Theampall Chróine.

Speaking at the opening of the centre, Government Chief Whip and Minister of State for the Gaeltacht and Sports Jack Chambers T.D.: “I am delighted to be here in An Clochán Liath today for the opening of gteic@Na Rosa. This digital hub is a great resource for the area and will greatly enhance opportunities there. A development like this is very timely given the new possibilities that have emerged for remote working. ”

Anna Ní Ghallachair, Chairperson of the Board of Údarás na Gaeltachta also added: “I am very pleased to attend the official opening of gteic@Na Rosa as another digital hub opens and begins operations in the gteic – Gaeltacht Digital Network. The centre will bring economic and employment benefits to the area and will also enhance language initiatives within the locality itself as it has received Gaeltacht Service Town status.”

Speaking Údarás na Gaeltachta Chief Executive Officer Mícheál Ó hÉanaigh said: “We at Údarás na Gaeltachta are delighted to develop this wonderful, modern, innovative and attractive hub within our gteic network. gteic@Na Rosa will form part of a vibrant network of high-speed broadband facilities being developed throughout the Gaeltacht. This development will support job creation, provide opportunities for remote workers and enable the Gaeltacht Diaspora to return and take up life at home.”

gteic@Na Rosa is one of nine digital hubs being developed by Údarás na Gaeltachta in the Donegal Gaeltacht with the official launch of gteic@An Tearmann taking place at the beginning of this week.