Connect with us

News

Fexco opens €21m research and development facility

Published

on

NEW FACILITY: Irish-international fintech company, Fexco's new building in Killorglin, which will house its own Research Development and Innovation Centre, and RDI Hub - a world-class centre for digital innovation focused on commercialisation of innovation and research backed by Fexco, IT Tralee and Kerry County Council. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan

 

Irish-international fintech company Fexco officially opened its €21m Research Development and Innovation Centre in Killorglin on Wednesday.

125 Fexco staff are to be based in the centre and RDI Hub and there’s plans to create 305 direct jobs by 2024. The state-of-the-art 57,000 sq ft replaces the manufacturing plant closed in 2012 – and, it’s dedicated to renowned Stanford University computer scientist John McCarthy, one of the founders of the discipline of artificial intelligence.

The facility was opened by Minister of State for Transport and Sport Brendan Griffin, and the CEO of Enterprise Ireland Julie Sinnamon. The project is backed by Fexco, IT Tralee and Kerry County Council.

The west wing of the building was donated by Fexco to become the home of RDI Hub, and house 136 people on its programmes and in its co-location space.

 

[caption id="attachment_30057" align="alignleft" width="1024"] DEDICATED: CEO Fexco, Denis McCarthy, and Susan McCarthy, daughter of John McCarthy, for whom the building is dedicated, at the official opening of their new innovation in Killorglin which was opened Wednesday. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan[/caption]

 

 

 

 

 

 

RDI Hub was established last year as a not-for-profit public-private partnership facilitating innovation and start-ups in the fintech and artificial intelligence (AI) sectors and in this initial period plans to support the establishment of over 35 high-tech funded start-ups.

Its colocation with Fexco’s Research Development and Innovation Centre will add value for both parties through increased availability of specialised labour and knowledge spill overs. RDI Hub will provide training to over 1,300 participants and support 140 apprentices on its programmes in its first five years.

John McCarthy’s father was born in Cromane, near Killorglin. His two daughters, Susan and Sarah, and his son Timothy were at Wednesday’s opening of the building to unveil a memorial plaque to their father.

The site on which the new building has been developed used to be the home of a manufacturing facility latterly owned by US firm Simpson Manufacturing, which closed in 2012 with the loss of 30 jobs. The Government has supported its transformation into a location that will support innovation, growth and entrepreneurship in the Southwest with €3.6m in funding for RDI Hub from Enterprise Ireland.

“This new building signals our commitment to providing world-class innovative fintech solutions to a global audience as well as supporting our local community, through job creation and local investment,” Denis McCarthy, CEO of Fexco said.

“Since our foundation in Killorglin in 1981 we have been able to grow our business to employ over 2,500 people in 29 countries, whilst keeping our headquarters and the driving force of the business at home here in Kerry.”

 

 

 

Advertisement

News

New Streetscapes murals launched at College Square

Published

on

By

A colourful collaboration between the Kerry Local Creative Youth Partnership (LCYP) and the Architecture Kerry Festival at Kerry County Council launched yesterday evening at College Square.

Titled Streetscapes, the open-air public art installation officially opened at 5pm on Thursday, accompanied by a performance from the Killarney Youth Drumming Band THUMP! under the guidance of Urs Wenk from Drum Dance Ireland.


The public art project features a series of wall murals depicting Killarney through the eyes of local children, exploring freedom, play, and potential future evolutions of the townscape.

The artworks reimagine Killarney’s iconic landmarks and streets, blending youthful imagination and curiosity.


Supported under the Creative Ireland Programme, the installation is mounted on the gable wall of Reen’s Life Pharmacy in College Square, where it will remain on public display until March 2027.


Speaking at the launch, Daniel O’Shea, Youth Development Officer at Kerry ETB, stated: “Streetscapes is a wonderful celebration of how children see things. Their creativity brings new perspectives to the townscape, and we are proud to support their ideas and their art through this public artwork.”


Deirdre Enright, Co-Ordinator of the Local Creative Youth Partnership at Kerry ETB, acknowledged the community support behind the initiative: “We are very grateful to Reen’s Life Pharmacy who have shared their built space with us. Huge credit is due to the artistic team from Me+The Moon whose dedication to creativity and to children’s art shine through in this work.”


The project forms part of the annual Architecture Kerry Festival and receives funding through Creative Ireland and the Department of Education and Youth via Kerry ETB and Kerry County Council.


Victoria McCarthy, Festival Organiser and Architectural Conservation Officer at Kerry County Council, welcomed the continued inter-agency project: “It’s always a great event for Architecture Kerry and we are so pleased with this collaboration between public sector organisations. It remains a key feature of the Architecture Kerry programme.”
See next week’s Killarney Advertiser for full photographic coverage of the event.

Continue Reading

News

Dr Crokes stalwarts enjoy lake cruise

Published

on

By

Dr Crokes stalwarts enjoy lake cruise

Dr Crokes stalwarts enjoy lake cruise

Dr Crokes GAA Club hosted a special day out for its senior members on Monday, this week, taking a group aged between 70 and 90 on a cruise across the Lakes of Killarney.

Organised by the Dr Crokes Healthy Club committee under its Crokes Cruisers initiative, the event was held to recognise the lifetime contribution made by long-standing members who continue to support club activities behind the scenes.
The group travelled on two vessels, including An Cathal, an open boat operated by local brothers Tony and Mike Fleming. Built to preserve the traditional Killarney lake boat style, it is the only purpose-built, fully accessible boat on the lakes, allowing members with mobility issues and wheelchair users to safely join the two-hour trip.
Following the lake tour, the party gathered on shore for coffee and refreshments provided by Derric McMahon and Harry Clifton of the Ross Castle Garden Cafe.
The initiative forms part of the club’s ongoing community work as a Gold Award winner in the GAA Healthy Club programme.

Attachments

Continue Reading

Last News

Sport