Ludgate Hub a 'blueprint' for regeneration of Skibbereen

Skibbereen has laid claim to the title of Ireland’s first 1GB town with those behind the digital Ludgate Hub declaring that the venture is a blueprint for the regeneration of rural Ireland.

The digital hub, located in a former bakery and cinema, is due to expand further in the West Cork town and has already attracted users from multinational firms such as Facebook, Google and Pfizer.

More than 400 guests yesterday attended its official launch with Minister for the Department of Jobs, Enterprise, and Innovation Mary Mitchell O’Connor, claiming: "As Minister, this is what I want to replicate up and down the country."