Art Data Centres gets go-ahead for €1.6bn project in Ennis
A judicial review into a proposed data centre in Ennis by Art Data Centres has been completed. Phase one of the €1.6 billion project comprising the electrical substation, two data halls, and associated site works is now scheduled for completion and commissioning by the end of 2028.
The campus development, to be located just outside Ennis on the M18, will contain a power substation, six data halls totalling 1.2 million sq. ft, an energy centre, a vertical farm for growing crops, and a connection for a heating system for the wider district.
The project’s scale at 200mw will be attractive to the largest technology partners in the world. The project represents the culmination of more than eight years of preparatory work.
A statement from the company on behalf of founders Tom McNamara and Vincent Fogarty read: “This Ennis project fulfils the Government’s key requirements immediately and will put the country back on the global map for digital infrastructure. This will assist Government in national ambitions to deliver ongoing opportunities for the country in the tech industry.”
“The judgement recognises that there is a future for environmentally-sensitive data centre developments like ours, where there is responsible use of renewable energy, grid-supporting generation technology & heat-recycling for both agri-food and local heating schemes. Such responsible developments, outside the Dublin metropolitan area, have the potential to secure our economic future, providing a future market for off-shore wind developers and securing Ireland’s position as a world-renowned centre of excellence in the cloud computing economy… Clare County Council’s decision to include data centre development within its Clare 2040 Economic Strategy has helped position the county to attract long‑term investment in digital infrastructure. The Ennis development reflects that vision by supporting high-value employment, strengthening the region’s technology ecosystem and enabling investment in associated infrastructure and renewable energy projects.”
The project will generate up to 1,200 jobs at the construction phase.
The Ennis project, on 145 acres, has been designed to incorporate innovative sustainability features, including a district heating system and a vertical farming facility that will utilise waste heat from the data centre. These elements are intended to demonstrate how modern data infrastructure can support local communities while contributing to broader sustainability goals.
The development will also support Ireland’s renewable energy transition through mechanisms such as corporate power purchase agreements (CPPAs) and arrangements that can help finance solar, onshore, and offshore wind projects.
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