The Digital Hub is a cluster of technology, digital media and internet companies in The Liberties area of Dublin, Ireland. As of 2017, the hub consisted of over 70 companies located in eight buildings, collectively employing 700 people.[1] As of 2021, there 30 companies employing 270 people.[2]
History
The Irish Government founded The Digital Hub in 2003 to cater for companies involved in information technology, with Media Lab Europe—a business venture by MIT— as its anchor.[3] In 2016, Fiach Mac Conghail, former director of the Abbey Theatre, was appointed CEO of the Digital Hub Development Agency, the state agency which operates and promotes The Digital Hub.[4]
By 2017, nearly 100 companies were located there.[5] At that time, current and former tenants included Amazon, Etsy, Havok, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Lonely Planet, Eventbrite, Slack, and Stripe.[1] By April 2021, the number of tenant companies had dropped to 30.[2]
In mid-2021, the Irish government announced that it would wind down the Digital Hub and transfer land to the Land Development Agency (LDA).[6] The LDA stated in 2023 that it intended to develop the site into a mixed-use development called 'Pear Tree Crossing'.[6] A message on the 'Pear Tree Crossing' website, dated to late 2024, stated that in December 2024 an "enabling planning application" had been submitted covering a small part of the site to "facilitate [..] archaeological testing".[7]
References
- ^ a b Charlie Taylor (11 January 2017). "Digital Hub in Dublin gained 28 firms in 2016". The Irish Times.
- ^ a b "Statement on the Digital Hub Development Agency". Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment. Retrieved 18 February 2025.
- ^ "Hub must learn from mistakes at Arthouse". The Irish Times. Retrieved 25 August 2020.
- ^ Taylor, Charlie (29 September 2016). "Abbey Theatre director Fiach Mac Conghail to lead Digital Hub". The Irish Times. Retrieved 26 February 2022.
- ^ Gordon Hunt (12 January 2017). "Digital Hub nears 100 companies after year of expansion". Silicon Republic.
- ^ a b Tranum, Sam (3 April 2024). "Dissolution of Digital Hub could leave lots of Thomas Street area property vacant – presenting a danger, and an opportunity".
- ^ "Pear Tree Crossing - Welcome". peartreecrossing.ie. Land Development Agency. Retrieved 18 February 2025.
Winter 2024 Update [..] In December 2024 we submitted an enabling planning application for site clearance, enhanced hoarding, and a temporary plant nursery on part of the site [..to..] understand this part of the site and facilitate further archaeological testing
External links
53°20′38″N 6°17′02″W / 53.344°N 6.284°W