- The Killybegs Marine Cluster, together with Donegal County Council were invited to meet with an IDA led German Delegation visit (Dornier Group) on Friday 16th August. This meeting took place in the ATU CoLab in Letterkenny campus, hosted by ATU. The Dornier Group were impressed with the level of business supports in terms of infrastructure, utility services, skilled staff and grant supports.
On Friday, August 16, 2024, the Killybegs Marine Cluster, in collaboration with Donegal County Council, was invited by Atlantic Technological University (ATU) to meet with an IDA-led German delegation from the Dornier Group. The meeting took place at ATUs CoLab facility in Letterkenny Campus and was hosted by ATU.
The Dornier Group, a global leader in infrastructure and engineering solutions, was highly impressed by the level of business support available in the Northwest region, particularly in terms of infrastructure, utility services, skilled workforce availability, and grant supports. A key area of interest for the Dornier Group was Killybegs and its potential role in offshore wind as an emerging industry. They expressed strong interest in Killybegs marine engineering expertise, supply chain capabilities, and industrial infrastructure, recognizing the regions potential as a strategic hub for offshore wind development and marine innovation. This engagement marked an important step in attracting international investment to the region, with potential collaboration opportunities between Dornier Group, Killybegs Marine Cluster members, and regional stakeholders to support the growth of offshore wind and sustainable Blue Economy industries in Ireland.
During the meeting with the Dornier Group on August 16, 2024, Donegal County Council, led by Anne-Marie Conlon, Head of Economic Development, provided a comprehensive overview of the suite of business supports and concierge services available to companies looking to invest in the region. A key highlight is the new investment in innovation, which will be led by Kevin Sexton at Alpha Innovation, a state-of-the-art facility in Letterkenny designed to foster innovation, entrepreneurship, and start-up culture. This initiative aims to attract high-value businesses and enhance Donegal’s position as a hub for technology, research, and economic growth. The presentation also emphasized Donegal’s strong cross-border relationships, facilitated through strategic collaborations between Donegal County Council and Atlantic Technological University (ATU). These partnerships support business development, knowledge exchange, and workforce training, reinforcing the regions strategic importance in offshore wind, marine engineering, and sustainable industries. The Dornier Groups interest in Donegal’s business ecosystem, infrastructure, and offshore wind potential further solidifies the county’s appeal as a destination for international investment and industry collaboration.