Co. Roscommon — Shannon Corridor

Rural innovation starts with a place to do it.

Meelick Hub is a concept for an innovation, research and training hub in Co. Roscommon — a base for AI-driven startups, technology upskilling, and applied research, combined with sustainable use of ecologically significant land.

The concept Partner with us

This is a concept in development. We're at the planning and funding stage. We're sharing this early because we're actively looking for grant partners, research collaborators, and organisations who want to help shape what this becomes.

The idea

A hub for research, innovation
and training.

Family-owned land in Co. Roscommon, near the Shannon corridor. Rather than let it sit idle, we're developing a concept that brings together startup innovation, AI and technology training, and sustainable land use.

WORKSHOP 10 PAX AI & TECHNOLOGY UPSKILLING In development
The hub

Innovation & Training Hub

A space for startups, enterprise, and training in rural Roscommon. We see a significant opportunity in AI and technology upskilling — equipping entrepreneurs, businesses, and communities with practical skills in areas attracting growing public and private investment.

  • AI and technology upskilling programmes
  • Startup workspace and incubation space
  • Business innovation and enterprise support
  • Co-working, meeting, and event facilities
  • Event space for screenings, talks, and community gatherings
  • A base for innovation companies establishing an EU or Ireland presence
  • Planned as a not-for-profit CLG to maximise community benefit and grant eligibility
The land

Sustainable Land Use & Research

The site includes agricultural land and areas of peatland in a region of significant ecological and archaeological heritage. We're exploring how the land can support research, sustainable agriculture, and rural tourism — complementing the hub's innovation focus with something rooted in the landscape.

  • Peatland with potential for ecological restoration and biodiversity research
  • Native botanicals: bog myrtle, meadowsweet, and other species with emerging commercial applications
  • Heritage crop trials and community-supported growing projects
  • Located in a landscape rich with prehistoric peatland heritage
  • Eco-tourism: scope for nature-based visitor experiences rooted in the landscape, heritage, and working land
53.7842°N 7.9631°W DEPTH: 2.4m pH 4.2 MOISTURE: 89% SPHAGNUM BIRCH PEATLAND CROSS-SECTION · MEELICK Research potential
Where innovation meets the land

Two sides of the same idea

A hub that trains people in AI and emerging technology. Land that offers real-world research and enterprise opportunities. The combination is the point.

AI & startups

Workspace and training for AI-driven startups and innovation companies. Practical upskilling, incubation, and a rural base with EU market access and grant eligibility.

Peatland

Exploring ecological restoration, carbon measurement, and biodiversity research on areas of peatland — contributing to national and European restoration goals.

Botanicals

Native plants with emerging applications in food, cosmetics, and craft production. Investigating what grows here naturally and what can be cultivated sustainably.

Heritage crops

Community-supported trials of heritage varieties — reviving traditional growing methods and connecting people to the land through participation and education.

Eco-tourism

Nature-based visitor experiences drawing on the region's ecology, peatland heritage, and working landscape. A growing sector with strong alignment to Fáilte Ireland's rural tourism priorities.

Location & access

Rural, not remote.

Co. Roscommon sits on the Shannon corridor with strong transport links north, south, east and west.

Rail

Dromod station is on the Dublin–Sligo mainline, with regular direct services to Dublin Connolly in under 2 hours.

Road

Direct access to the N4/M4 motorway corridor connecting Dublin to the northwest. N5 to the west. N61 to Athlone and the midlands.

Airports

Dublin Airport: ~2 hours by road or rail. Ireland West Airport Knock: ~1 hour. Shannon Airport: ~1.5 hours. All three serve transatlantic and European routes.

Broadband

National Broadband Plan rollout in progress across the region. The hub will be designed for high-speed connectivity from day one.

Get in touch

We're early. Talk to us anyway.

If you're a grant body, research institution, startup, or someone with experience building things like this — we'd welcome a conversation.

Co. Roscommon · Shannon Corridor · Ireland