Apple building data centre in Galway
Apple has announced that it is to build a data centre in Athenry, Co Galway.
It is the tech giant's first data centre outside the US along with another opening in Denmark at the same time.
Apple's planning to turn a greenfield site in Derrydonnell just outside Athenry into its largest data centre in Europe. It is expected that the facility will also be run on renewable energy.
The firm is investing €850m building the complex in Athenry where 300 jobs will be created in the various phases of development - with 100 of those working in the finished project.
They will spend €1.7bn on the two centres which will both look after Apple’s online services, such as the iTunes Store, the App Store, iMessage, Maps and Siri for European customers.
Apple chief executive Tim Cooke said: “This significant new investment represents Apple’s biggest project in Europe to date.
“We’re thrilled to be expanding our operations, creating hundreds of local jobs and introducing some of our most advanced green building designs yet.”
The 166,000 square metre operation is planned to be up and running by 2017.
Work on the project is expected to begin shortly pending planning permission - it will restore native trees to Derrydonnell Forest, and also provide an education space for local schools and a public walking trail.
The IDA and the Taoiseach have welcomed the announcement with Enda Kenny saying he is "delighted" by the news which is an "extremely positive step" for job creation across the regions.
