New Industrial Boom on Dublin’s Edge
Ever wonder where the digital world is really built? On up‑state Dublin, in a maze of anonymous warehouses that look like every other warehouse, a new kind of oil field is sprouting. It’s not slick or black—it’s data.
Meet Brian Roe: The Modern Rock‑Star
Brian Roe is the commercial director of Servecentric, a data‑centre company that runs one of the 48 nodes that make up Ireland’s crown jewel: the network of data centres. “Data is the new oil, definitely,” he says. And he’s right. As a true prospector of the digital age, Roe has eyes on the ground, the ground of racks and cables that keep the cloud humming.
Cloud 101 – Where’s It Hidden?
When people point at the cloud, many just assume it’s floating somewhere out there. “Where’s the cloud?” Roe chuckles. “It’s right here, behind those rows of hard drives—those data centres.” The truth is, those cozy warehouses are the real backbone for everything from Netflix binges to your latest social media post.
A Fortune in the Making
“People say, ‘Everything’s going to come from the cloud’—and you’re right. But the verdict is simple: the cloud is a data‑centre, not a fluffier idea.”
- Government incentives giving a boost for infrastructure.
- A skilled workforce that knows the ropes.
- Hyper‑fast links to Europe and the US.
With all that in place, the growth forecast is staggering—$10 billion in investment by 2021, according to the industry lobby group Host in Ireland.
So if you’re ever curious where your favourite apps and videos are alive, think of the blank, cold warehouses just outside Dublin: the new heart of the digital age, and yes, it’s as profitable as that classic oil rush, but with a better story for kids.
Cloud According to Roe
People are shouting, “Everything is coming from the cloud,” but Roe says that’s a bit of a misnomer. “Where’s the cloud?” he asks. “It’s in the data centres,” he replies.
Who’s in the Cloud?
The sector pulls in 5,700 full‑time equivalents, with 1,800 of those working as data‑centre operators.
Meet Servecentric
Servecentric is a co‑location hub tucked in an industrial estate beside a motorway. It’s the sidekick to the big‑name “hyperscale” giants like Google, Amazon, and Facebook.
Security Is a Whole Thing
- Visitors must show ID to a security guard.
- Finger‑print scanners number the lot—there’s no unseen guard.
- 160 CCTV cameras capture the action, storing footage for three months.
- One client wants six layers of security: airport‑style checks and private guards for their section.
The Mystery Client
Roe, wearing a crisp suit, declines to name the client but hints at a well‑known household name. The secrecy is set to protect rows of blinking servers that look like a library of locked safe deposit boxes.
Data Centres: Ireland’s New Power‑Hungry Cities
Picture a bustling industrial estate beside a motorway just outside Dublin. That’s where Servecentric lives—an unassuming co‑location hub that’s quietly piggy‑backing on the tech giants like Google, Amazon, and Facebook. By comparison, those “hyperscale” data centers feel like skyscrapers made out of servers.
Heat, Heat, Heat… and the Raison d’être
Run the air‑conditioning 24 hours a day and you’ll know why the place feels like a sauna. Each time‑slice, the chill is fighting fire—literally—from the blazing power consumption. You’re essentially looking at the energy appetite of an entire town.
- Eirgrid’s Take: Data centres can eat up as much electricity as a big town, potentially up to 31 % of Ireland’s total demand by 2027.
- Apple’s Drama: The tech giant walked away from an 875 million‑euro ($1 billion) project on the west coast, after locals worried it could squeeze up to 8 % into the national grid.
- Facebook’s PR Play: The new 200 million‑euro ($230 million) cloning of a centre in Clonee near Dublin boasts 100 % renewable power.
Grid Jitters and Climate Game‑Plan
Because Ireland is slipping past its 2020 & 2030 climate targets (per the environmental watchdog), the industry is wing‑in‑foes. The temptation is to downplay the electric bill, but that’s a one‑size‑fits‑none risk. The debate is whether the grid can handle the data‑center juggernaut without blowing a tooth or a substation.
Security Shimmer, Surreal Swirl
With more servers sit in a single state’s borders than a few anonymised incidents, there are growing rumours the relocation could quietly ease unclean operations. The opaque, multinational data game has a guilty look, especially after last year’s Cambridge Analytica uproar.
Amazon Web Services (AWS) – Is the Ethical Value a La‑Ba‑Band?
Dublin City University’s researcher Paul O’Neill warned: “The ethical implications could be huge.” Amazon is known for offering facial‑recognition tech to U.S. police, which opens a can of worms if it’s stationed up on Ireland’s soil.
So, June’s playground of big‑tech, blade rack, and electric wire is not just hot energy. It’s not just hot money. It’s also a mix of a tepid Eh‑yes for renewable power, a loud shout on ethical grounds, and tonably ticking your residential electricity bill.
When Big Tech Meets Small Town: The Data‑Center Dilemma
Picture a row of gleaming cabinets humming like a nervous choir, wires neatly tacked out like sliced toast. That’s a typical data centre, and it’s not just a showroom—it’s the heart of our digital world. But when one of those humming hearts lands in a sleepy Irish town, the locals start talking.
Apple’s “Gone‑away” Gig
- Apple was slated to bring a 150‑person workforce to the windswept town of Athenry on the west coast.
- The “Athenry for Apple” group called the decision a “hammer blow” to the community.
- Still, one big tech titan’s exit doesn’t finish the story.
The New Contender: Ennis
Now, a million‑square‑foot (about 93,000 m²) data centre is stirring up chatter in nearby Ennis. A sleek, tech‑savvy proposal that would churn out data faster than a gossip column in spring.
Why the Fuss?
- Energy consumption – Data centres are notorious for their power headaches. Think “you can’t turn off the lights, but you can still hike the power bill.”
- Local palate – Residents worry about the visual and environmental impact. It’s like asking a quiet corner of a tea room to house a disco.
- Noise & vibration – The constant hum can turn even the most stoic farmer into a “Who’ll bring the noise‑proof headphones?” crowd.
Is It Green?
Theresa O’Donohoe, the town’s community spokesperson, weighed in: “Data centres do hype their energy intensity, but if we can power them with clean energy—and we can—then we’re talking about the future as a climate‑friendly switch‑on.”
Conclusion
As the debate heats up, the tension is clear: innovation vs. tradition. There’s a small town that will either become a cool spot for the digital economy or a cautionary tale of “not every power‑hungry project is a good fit.” The question remains: can we simultaneously keep our servers alive and keep our quiet corners quiet?
