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DiGICONTAINER MISSION STATEMENT

DigicontaineR IS AN ambitious plan for development and job creation in the Midwest Region

Digicontainer, a not-for-profit enterprise for the Tipperary/Limerick region, has ambitious expansion plans to develop the creative and cultural sectors of the Midwest region at its uniquely designed creative hub at Birdhill, Co. Tipperary.

The plans for development of this facility over the next 5 years will create 100 - 300 jobs, with a €2m investment creating 100 positions within the first 18 months. This would be much welcomed news to the thousands of students and graduates within creative and arts faculties of the many third level institutions in the mid-west region.

The project will include providing cost-efficient, shared workspaces within the Digicontainer creative hub, enabling local creatives to pursue successful professional careers in the Mid-West region. In bringing together likeminded creative professionals and start-ups, the hub will become home to a creative network that are easily accessible to graduates, start-up and SMEs. It will also establish a dynamic, adaptable community public space that can serve as a multi-functional venue for events, markets, exhibitions, community projects, summer schools and local training initiatives. 

Alan Kelly Labour TD backs the Digicontainer project stating: “A uniquely rural, but nevertheless highly accessible location in Tipperary and in the heart of the Mid-West region in only 8 miles from Limerick City - Digicontainer is accessible to key regional and national markets and opportunities. I believe it can become a unique locally based service with strong regional, national and international connectivity and potential.”

The springboard team behind this impressive project are David Collopy former CEO for Opera Ireland along with Paul Boland and Joe Clarke of CWB.ie, the producers of the recent highly acclaimed events Feile Classical at Semple Stadium and National Geographic Symphony for Our World at the Gaelic Grounds Limerick.

"The concept for Digicontainer came during my time in University Concert Hall when I worked with the many creatives coming out of the regions' third level institutions with degrees, loads of creativity and imagination but nowhere to allow that creativity to take form or be expressed. This initiative will hopefully allow these very creative artists to become established and remain in the region thus forging a significant creative hub across all disciplines in the Mid-West." David Collopy Digicontainer Board Member.

As part of the expansion plans Digicontainer aim to purchase and refurbish ten used shipping containers for use as rehearsal, office and training spaces at the proposed location. The modular container setup has mobility options and spaces can be tailored to meet each of the user’s needs.  

“In the belief that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts, Digicontainer will encourage and enable local talents to work collaboratively and reciprocally to realise both their individual and collective ambitions.  Digicontainer will serve as a conduit for bridging the knowledge gaps from arts to business in the region. Many existing individuals, businesses, community organisations and arts groups are active and have local support, however lack the necessary core support services to realise their ambitions.” says Paul Boland CWB.ie

Digicontainer has reached the final stages of an application process with Enterprise Ireland while awaiting the final outcome the enterprise continues to secure partnerships with key National & International stakeholders including Lorcan O’ Herlihy Architects L.A, Windmill Lane Studios Dublin, Westpoint Studios London, Limerick City Build, Sportstech Ireland, Bank of Ireland and Birdhill Tidy Towns.

Services and professional expertise included in Digicontainer’s development plans are

Community and regional events (consultancy, planning, production, light and sound engineering, rigging, concerts and festivals, fundraisers, marketing, branding, event management, health and safety & event infrastructure);

Music, television and film (pre- and post-studio production, set design/build and recording location services); 

Arts/Creative sector Tech (IT, media and multimedia, website development, app building)

Arts to commercial training and development (networking, mentoring, apprenticeships, retraining/upskilling, graduate and postgraduate work-placements and internships, research and development).

“A facility such as Digicontainer has true potential for creative people and groups in the region which can ensure a National and International impact. ICO have collaborated successfully before with Digicontainer on Féile Classical along with playing a key role in Symphony for our World at the Gaelic Grounds Limerick. ICO are happy to further collaborate in the coming years. Digicontainer has the potential to be a real game changer in the region for the ever increasing and growing artistic population.”  Gerard Keenan, CEO, Irish Chamber Orchestra.

Speaking of the layout and design potential of Digicontainer Joe Clarke for CWB.ie says      “The modular container concept is already utilised globally (e.g. Boxpark mini-mall in Shoreditch, London; Container City housing and studios, London; Rebel Rebel Hostel in Groningen), but Digicontainer will be a unique, innovative and visually striking facility and the first of its kind in Ireland.”   

“I foresee the expansion of Digicontainer would provide a real chance of acting as a downstream service provider for large-scale creative service-providers e.g. Troy Studios.  Troy will require a number of supports that we propose to develop at this centre within the digital media space. Tony Perry Windmill Lane Recording Studios / Pulse

Ends.

Notes to Editors

Digicontainer resides close to Birdhill village in Co Tipperary on the old N7 Limerick-Dublin road. Only 8 miles from Limerick City Centre, it is also located in close proximity to the M7 motorway; it has excellent rail connectivity from Limerick; as well as excellent international connectivity from Shannon Airport, a short 35-minute drive from the facility.

Midwest Creative Sector is widely recognised as a major potential growth sector for Limerick City and the wider Mid-West region - in accordance with the Limerick 2030 Plan; Mid-West Action Plan for Jobs; Clare County Development Plan 2017-2023; The Tipperary Arts Strategy 2017-2021; and Limerick Cultural Strategy A Framework 2016-2030.  Digicontainer are keen to head this ambition, proposing the Mid-West as a leader in the arts nationally. 

Initial support for the development of this project has been welcomed by Enterprise Ireland, North Tipperary LEO, Limerick LEO and Clare LEO as its plans align to the regional development agendas of all LEO offices in this region.

University of Limerick, Limerick Institute of Technology and Mary Immaculate College are also primarily on board to develop academic engagement and hosting of student work placement/internships. As is Windmill Lane Studio’s training and development institute Pulse College.