Waterford is poised for a significant economic boost with the official opening of ‘Glassworks,’ Ireland’s first co-located university enterprise quarter. Taoiseach Micheál Martin is scheduled to open the €43 million ‘Building One’ this morning, marking a pivotal moment for the southeast region and signaling a new chapter for the 37-acre site once home to the iconic Waterford Crystal manufacturing facility. The project aims to foster collaboration between South East Technological University (SETU) and businesses, driving employment, research, and education in a region seeking sustained growth. This development represents a substantial investment in the future of Waterford, and a deliberate effort to revitalize an area deeply connected to the city’s industrial heritage.
The closure of Waterford Crystal in 2009 left a significant void in the local economy and a landmark site vacant. For nearly two decades, the sprawling complex on the Cork Road remained largely unused, a stark reminder of economic hardship. Now, ‘Glassworks’ offers a tangible vision for renewal, drawing inspiration from successful university-enterprise models like the University of Nottingham’s Innovation Park in the UK and the Cortex innovation district in St. Louis, Missouri. The ambition is to create an ecosystem where academic research seamlessly translates into commercial opportunities, attracting both established companies and promising startups.
A New Hub for Innovation and Employment
‘Building One,’ the first phase of the ‘Glassworks’ campus, will eventually house approximately 800 employees. The development is a joint venture between the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund (ISIF) and Frisby, a Waterford-based developer. According to those involved, more than half of the building is already committed to tenants, with strong interest indicating a rapid uptake of space. The broader 37-acre site has the potential to accommodate up to 6,000 employees in the future, contingent on further development, and investment. This scale of potential job creation is particularly significant for the southeast region, which has historically lagged behind other parts of Ireland in terms of economic growth.
One of the first major tenants to secure space within ‘Glassworks’ is Veonet Ireland, a clinical eye care service provider. The company will establish a day-unit within the former Waterford Crystal showrooms, a move that underscores the project’s commitment to preserving and repurposing iconic elements of the original site. Veonet’s decision is closely aligned with SETU’s plans to launch a new course in optometry, creating a synergistic relationship between education, research, and clinical practice. Frank Doheny, CEO of Veonet Ireland, emphasized the importance of being “embedded into the optometry ecosystem,” and highlighted the potential for collaboration with SETU in training and research. He noted the current reliance on recruiting clinical optometrists from the UK and expressed hope that ‘Glassworks’ will help develop a pipeline of Irish talent.
SETU’s Role and Regional Impact
Professor Veronica Campbell, President of SETU, described ‘Glassworks’ as a “game changer” for the southeast region. She explained that the campus is “designed to transform collaboration between academia and enterprise,” elevating the region’s innovation capability and providing a platform for partnerships on an unprecedented scale. The goal is to strengthen the existing innovation network in the southeast and accelerate the development of groundbreaking ideas. SETU’s proximity to the enterprise quarter will facilitate knowledge transfer, joint research projects, and opportunities for students to gain practical experience in a real-world setting.
The Ireland Strategic Investment Fund (ISIF) sees ‘Glassworks’ as a prime example of its ability to invest commercially whereas supporting long-term regional development. Sarah Hickey, Senior Investment Director at ISIF, stated that the opening of ‘Building One’ will “strengthen the capacity of Waterford and the wider region for high-value jobs, research and collaboration.” The project is intended to foster a university-enterprise ecosystem that will drive innovation and employment across the southeast. Noel Frisby Jnr, Director at developer Frisby, added that ‘Glassworks’ is envisioned as a place where “research, creativity, and business ambition can thrive,” contributing to the continued economic growth of the region.
Beyond ‘Building One,’ plans are already underway for further development on the site, including a 582-student bed development on adjacent lands. This additional housing capacity will be crucial in attracting students and researchers to the area, further bolstering the ‘Glassworks’ ecosystem. The long-term vision is to create a vibrant, mixed-use campus that seamlessly integrates education, research, business, and residential spaces.
The success of ‘Glassworks’ could serve as a model for other regions in Ireland seeking to revitalize their economies through strategic investment in university-enterprise collaboration. The project demonstrates the potential of repurposing legacy industrial sites into hubs of innovation and growth, creating opportunities for both established businesses and emerging startups. The focus on aligning academic research with industry needs is expected to drive economic development and create high-skilled jobs in the southeast.
Looking ahead, the focus will be on attracting further investment and tenants to the ‘Glassworks’ campus. The next key milestone will be the completion of the 582-student bed development, expected to further enhance the attractiveness of the site. Ongoing discussions between SETU and Veonet Ireland regarding potential research and training partnerships will as well be crucial in realizing the full potential of the enterprise quarter.
What are your thoughts on the Glassworks development? Share your comments below and let us know how you think this project will impact the future of Waterford and the southeast region.
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