Ludgate Hub, a co-working space and entrepreneurship incubator, in Skibbereen, West Cork, welcomed Ireland’s President Michael D. Higgins who witnessed the impact the Hub has had on the town and the rural area at large.

Adrienne Harrington, CEO of the Hub said “We are honored to welcome the President to Ludgate today. It is a huge privilege to be able to showcase the impact that the Ludgate Hub has had not only on Skibbereen, but also on West Cork”.

The President was given a private tour of the Hub and its facilities. He also spent some time speaking with Hub members; learning about their work and the positive impact that the Ludgate has had on their businesses. After the tour, the President attended a private meeting with Ludgate board members where they discussed the progress at Ludgate over the past two years; Ludgate’s digital education initiatives as well as the transformative impact that the 1GB connectivity has had on the local West Cork community.

The President was particularly interested in how Ludgate was helping to create a sustainable community in West Cork, facilitating families returning to the region while progressing their careers.

President Michael D Higgins visiting the Ludgate Hub, in Skibereen, West Cork.

President Michael D Higgins visiting the Ludgate Hub, in Skibereen, West Cork.

John Field, Chairman of the Ludgate Board said “Today’s visit by President Michael D. Higgins was something which we have been greatly looking forward to. It gave us the opportunity to highlight the success that has so far been achieved by the Hub and to showcase Ludgate as a template for rural development which has the potential to be replicated across Ireland”.

President Michael D Higgins visiting the Ludgate Hub, in Skibereen, West Cork.

President Michael D Higgins visiting the Ludgate Hub, in Skibereen, West Cork.

Ludgate Hub was opened in June 2016. It is a beacon of innovation and hope for rural Ireland; Skibbereen can inspire the country as an extraordinary example of a town that leads the way for digital development.

The Ludgate initiative aims to facilitate up to 75 people in a creative co-working environment with a long-term objective to facilitate 500 direct jobs and 1000 indirect jobs via a sustainable digital economy for Skibbereen and the wider West Cork area. To date, 100 direct jobs have been facilitated by the initiative.