'This is the next new and exciting thing for Ballina'

The Western People was afforded a preview of a spectacular project that has the potential to transform the Ballina economy.

The former military barracks in the heart of the town have been recast as a state-of-the-art space that will now become known as Innovation Quarter (IQ) Ballina.

The project, which cost close to €8 million, was funded by Mayo County Council and the Urban Regeneration Development Fund. The entire complex is owned by the council and will be managed through a collaboration between it and Moy Valley Resources.

The Innovation Quarter Project has been under construction for two years and the council is now ready to get the ball rolling on inviting vibrant businesses to make a new home in the exciting hub.

“We are pretty much ready to go and are kicking off the expressions of interest process," said John Magee, Head of the council's Local Enterprise Office (LEO). "There has been loads of informal contact with us and now crucially we have a criterion of the type of businesses that we want to put in here. Anybody who has made informal contact with us will be invited to take part in a formal expressions of interest process."

He said the project will bring about the establishment of an ‘entrepreneurial ecosystem’ in a prominent town centre location which can drive footfall through Ballina and boost the local economy.

Housed in stunning buildings, IQ Ballina boasts high-speed connectivity and everything a commercial enterprise could want.

The project was first conceived back in the days of the former Ballina Town Council with lands acquired through a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) process. The large space, made up of a complex of three two-storey buildings, began its life as a Military Barracks in 1743.

The site has had multiple uses over the years and, unfortunately, that meant that much of its history has been lost. However, whatever could be salvaged has been incorporated into the finished project.

"The buildings themselves were in very reasonable condition but, unfortunately, an awful lot of the original history and artefacts were not left for us to do an awful lot with. But what we did find we incorporated. From a conservation point of view, we are very happy with what we have been able to deliver,” said Robbie Maguire, Ballina Municipal District Architect, who oversaw the project.

“We were starved of finding original material other than the walls, but we did find very original 18th-century roof trusses which were a joy to see. We took great care in taking those down and conserving them for reuse. Because of the different uses of the site through its history things were redeveloped for different purposes,” he added.

The traces of the past which could be retained are married with the modern to create a world-class facility. The entire complex is powered by renewable energy sources.

“What we have delivered is a state-of-the-art facility which has got all the modern services that any business would expect. To be able to do that in a historic building is a big bonus. The character that it portrays is something that I think people will really appreciate,” Mr Maguire said. "We are conscious that the project is generating a lot of excitement not just amongst local enterprises but also from the community. We hope what we have delivered will match those expectations and we think that we have. It's going to have a huge impact on Ballina."

The 20,000 sq foot site also incorporates a central community plaza. Additional funding from the Department of Tourism, Culture and the Arts, has enabled Mayo County Council to develop Military Square as a community space. It is hoped that it will become a buzzing area and performance space.

“It will really come alive and that will be great for the town,” said Declan Turnbull, Head of Ballina Municipal District.

Up to 150 people will be able to work in IQ Ballina with the council hoping to welcome its first tenants in the New Year.

Mr Magee said the local authority will be seeking to attract an anchor tenant for the largest building in the complex with companies looking to grow and scale utilising the rest of the campus.

“We are hoping to attract one large-scale corporate commercial tenant. Ideally, a company looking for a second site that be set up here in Ballina, maybe an established Irish company or a company from overseas that wants to set up in Ireland for the first time.

“In the other buildings, we are looking for businesses that are growing and scaling. Crucially we are looking for businesses that want to take on new people,” stated Mr Magee.

The council will be working with Enterprise Ireland and the IDA to market the facility.

“There isn’t a better example of something like this in the country so closely tied to the town centre. This has the potential to be game-changing for Ballina,” Mr Magee remarked.

2023 has been a landmark year for Ballina. The visit of US President Joe Biden coincided with the celebration of the town’s tercentenary through a year-long programme of events.

Annette Maughan, CEO of Moy Valley Resources, and a part of the Ballina 2023 Steering Group, said the IQ builds on the momentum that now exists in the town.

“Ballina 2023 has been a fantastic opportunity for the town and for North Mayo. There is certainly a much wider understanding and knowledge of Ballina now, regionally, nationally, and internationally.

"Ballina has been elevated in a lot of ways and is a town that is being talked about in a very positive light.

“This project is the next new and exciting thing for Ballina. It’s going to be transformational for Ballina and will carry all that positivity forward.”

David Dwane, Chairperson of Moy Valley Resources, said the organisation is incredibly proud to be a part of the project and to continue its strong track record of aiding enterprise in Ballina.

“We are looking forward to helping new businesses, start-ups and emerging businesses,” said Mr Dwane. “The place looks beautiful and I think it is going to be the envied right around the country,” he added.