Ernst & Young

“The most important criteria for any multinational company that is selecting and investment location is to assess both the skill sets and cost base in the selected location. A low rate of corporation profits tax is a strong contributor to minimising costs and generating an above average return on investment. The Shannon region offers both.”

John Heffernan, Partner, Ernst & Young, Limerick, Ireland

 

Shannon Region

- A World-Class Business Location

Westpark Shannon is strategically located at the heart of the Mid West of Ireland – located in the Shannon Free Zone, directly next to Shannon International Airport in Co. Clare.

The Shannon region is widely recognised as one of the most desirable international locations for global investment. For over 40 years many of the world's top names in technology, pharmaceuticals, software development, aviation and aerospace have chosen Shannon as the location for their European Headquarters, eg. Analog, GE, Element Six, Johnson and Johnson, Wyeth, Halifax, Lufthansa and Hewlett Packard.

In fact Shannon is home to Ireland's largest cluster of US companies, with a highly successful track record in attracting direct foreign investment.

Synonymous with innovation and cutting edge technology since the 1960s, Shannon is the No. 1 choice for companies with strong global trading ambitions.

Globally Connected

Shannon serves as a direct gateway to all of the major European markets, with daily flights to and from the UK and many other European countries. With regular weekly flights to and from many US destinations, Westpark Shannon business campus offers an unrivalled level of global connectivity.

Shannon's ideal geographical location also makes it a global hub for joining East and West.

Nationally Connected

As well as global connectivity, Shannon also offers excellent national connectivity. The strategically advantageous location of the Westpark business campus in Shannon also facilitates companies planning on doing business in other parts of Ireland. Located on the national road network, Shannon is ideally located within easy commuting distance to the 4 major Irish cities:

Dublin: Under 3hrs drive
Cork: 1.5hrs drive
Galway: 1 hrs drive
Limerick: 20 min drive

Shannon is located just 25 minutes by motorway from the inland port city of Limerick and has immediate access to the other marine cargo handling installations distributed around the Shannon Estuary.

Low Cost Business Destination

The Shannon region is particularly attractive to both major international corporations and smaller enterprises as a business destination as it is a low cost destination – offering value for money and allowing companies to optimise their global operating models.

Highly Skilled Workforce

• Ample pool of skilled and motivated personnel in a wide spectrum of knowledge-based industries.
• Ireland has one of the most highly rated education systems in the world.
• Ireland’s Mid-West region offers an extensive and experienced knowledge-based human resources pool. University of Limerick, Limerick Institute of Technology, NUI Galway, GMIT, WIT, CIT and University College Cork provide a steady stream of highly educated science, technology and business graduates each year.

Lifestyle Benefits

• As a place to live and work, Ireland's Mid-West region has many strings to its bow.  It is a region full of character: with a high standard of living, an ever improving infrastructure, a much lauded natural beauty, a rich and exciting culture, a multitude of activities and attractions to enjoy.
• The western half of the region boasts miles of breathtaking Atlantic coast, picturesque mountain-tops, serene lakes and expanses of natural forest, with world renowned tourist attractions like the Cliffs of Moher and the Blasket Islands.
• The Mid West is famous for its championship golf courses including Ballybunion, Lahinch, Doonbeg, Adare and Waterville.
• Nearby Limerick City is home to the multi-purpose UL Sports Arena – one of the best of its kind in Europe.

• High wave surfing and other aquatic activities are very popular on the Mid West’s Atlantic coast while inland, the rivers of the region provide the angler with rich fishing.
• The Mid-West Region of Ireland is also home to a number of quality racecourses including Tipperary, Galway and Listowel.
• The Mid West boasts a wide choice of dining and entertainment venues, with a great choice of bars, clubs and nightclubs catering for people of all ages, tastes and cultures. The musical events at Limericks University Concert Hall which is home to the Irish Chamber Orchestra are an ever popular attraction as are the plays at the famous Belltable Theatre.
• All of the major retail names are in the Midwest with prominent names like Zara, Mango, B&Q and Brown Thomas and Debenhams lighting up the high streets.
• The region hosts a wide variety of festivals and events including the Rose of Tralee, Listowel Writers Week and the Foynes Irish Coffee Festival.