€3.25m innovation centre opens in Leitrim

A new multi-million-euro innovation centre was recently 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 on 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) Sligo Chris O’Malley; and Shane Kerrigan of the Kerrigan Group.

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.

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.