The Deirdre O'Shaughnessy Podcast: Patrick Bresnihan discusses Ireland’s data centre boom

New research examines the environmental costs of Ireland’s data centre expansion as communities mobilise against proposed developments

Patrick Bresnihan discusses Ireland’s data centre boom and growing community concerns

Data centres have become a major talking point, consuming 23% of Ireland’s electricity and using significant amounts of water.

Ireland has a much higher number of data centres per capita than other EU countries, prompting growing concern about their environmental and energy impacts.

Communities around the country, including in Kilmeaden, Co Waterford, and Naas, Co Kildare, are beginning to organise opposition to new developments.

Research published last month examines the reality of data centres in Ireland. One of its authors, Patrick Bresnihan, joins the Deirdre O'Shaughnessy Podcast to discuss the findings.