Plans developed for a €450k digital and creative hub in Carndonagh

The hub will support local entrepreneurship and the creative economy and will be a key economic driver in the recovery of the town and surrounding areas following the Covid-19 crisis.

The multi-award winning social enterprise aims to regenerate Carndonagh by establishing a Digital & Creative Hub that incorporates a ‘FabLab’, a creative workspace for local artists, designers and craftspeople, and a ‘Co-Work Plus’ centre for business start-ups, entrepreneurs, freelancers and remote workers.

Co-founder and CEO of Spraoi agus Spórt, Helen Nolan, said: “I’m delighted to be involved in this amazing project which will be critical for the regeneration of Carndonagh and the surrounding areas as we emerge from Covid-19.

“Our plans for a new Digital & Creative Hub in the town are dedicated to supporting local entrepreneurship and the creative economy and will also importantly allow people in our community to produce things that are needed in the local community.

“The importance of developing a new Digital & Creative Hub has been brought to the fore in recent months with our FabLab making PPE (visors) that have played a key role in protecting local frontline workers.”

Ms Nolan said the plans for the hub include having 3D printers and laser cutters available to continue making PPE, as well as other types of tools including sewing machines and a community loom which can be utilised by local designers, artists and craftspeople.

“We also envisage that our new Digital & Creative Hub will provide a wonderful space to help children and young people learn the necessary 21st century skills needed in the future in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM).

“We, therefore, hope to see our new hub being used by people of all ages and abilities in order to play, create and learn through innovation and invention – and importantly provide a stimulus for local entrepreneurship as an accelerator for business start-ups”.

The organisation have identified premises at a central location in Carndonagh. However, the building will require considerable refurbishment. A plan has also been developed to raise the €450k needed to bring the plans to fruition.

A third of this figure has already been secured and Spraoi agus Spórt is in the process of applying for further funding from a number of sources.