As the global economy reopens for business, Ireland’s unprecedented economic growth puts it first in attracting foreign direct investment and exporting its healthy industrial segments.
Ireland’s economy is at its height. The country was the only EU nation to see growth in 2020 and surpassed its pre-pandemic growth with a 13.5-percent rise in 2021. Given its position, the government’s $170-billion National Development Plan is opening up a flurry of opportunities as the state aggressively updates the country’s public infrastructure and expands its robust knowledge-focused sectors.
After Brexit, Ireland is the only native English-speaking nation in EU, which further highlights the market as a prime base for multinationals and workforce acquisition. The US-Ireland relationship is deep, with more than 900 US-owned firms working within Ireland and around $344 billion in foreign direct investment outbound to the US in 2019.
The Emerald Isle’s key areas of export are aligned with the US’ high demand areas, particularly in pharmaceuticals, agro-foods, medical devices, agriculture technology, healthcare and information technology.
760
US companies in Ireland
900
Irish companies exporting to US
Top 10
FDI destinations in Europe
1st
in FDI per capita
1 out of 3
multinationals here over 20 years
14 of top 15
medtech companies from Ireland
Interviews
Interview with Dara Calleary, Minister of State for Trade Promotion, Digital and Company Regulation, Ireland
“Within the island, we have a very advanced digital culture, but we’re ambitious, and we want to be the most digital advanced economy in the EU.”
18 January, 2023
Interview with Catherine Martin, Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media of Ireland
“We love to extend a warm welcome. What we love about US travelers is they come and want to spend quality time with us in Ireland. They know how to enjoy, explore and experience our culture.”
18 January, 2023
Interview with Danny McCoy, CEO of Ibec
“IBEC is a reflection of the Irish business model itself. Our growth over the last decade has been correlated quite heavily with what's been going on with our members, and IBEC has more than doubled in scale and turnover.”
18 January, 2023
Interview with Niall Gibbons, Chief Executive of Tourism Ireland
“We’re in a situation now where, in the summer of 2023, we will see capacity at around 102% of 2019 capacity.”
17 January, 2023
Interview with Patricia Callan, Director of Financial Services Ireland
“The goal is to bring them to the next level, to say, well actually we need to trial innovative products, but we need to do so in a safe environment for consumers. We can choose how to do that, and we want to do that in Ireland.”
17 January, 2023
Interview with Una Fitzpatrick, Director of Technology Ireland
“It just goes to show, and when we're speaking to government as well, when we talk about the technology sector, we're not just talking about the tech sector, we’re talking about the entire ecosystem.”
17 January, 2023
Interview with David Duffy, Director of Property Industry Ireland
"Across every sector there are ambitious targets. (But) we're seeing a lot of innovation by companies looking at how they can reduce carbon or move to more circular."
17 January, 2023
Interview with William Lavelle, Director of the Irish Whiskey Association
“The Irish whiskey industry represents 49 companies across the island. We represent all the major players and our members between them account for 99% of Irish whiskey’s global sales.”
17 January, 2023
Interview with Owen O’Sullivan, Managing Partner of William Fry, Ireland
“Our corporation tax take has been very strong, and that has enabled the government to insulate a lot of the businesses here from some of the worst effects of inflation, the war in Ukraine, and the energy crisis.”
17 January, 2023
Interview with Jonathan Kelly, Managing Partner of Philip Lee, Ireland
“We have the largest media law practice in the country, with a particular specialization in film and television financing and production. There is a lot of opportunity in that area.”
17 January, 2023
Interview with Alan Connell, Managing Partner of Eversheds Sutherland LLP, Ireland
“The attraction of Ireland as a hub for investment, particularly post-Brexit, has seen an increased number of internationally focused organizations looking to establish operations in and from Ireland.”
17 January, 2023
Interview with John Jordan, CEO of Ornua, Ireland
“Unlike Ireland, there are very few countries in the world, where the cow’s diet primarily consists of grass. In most countries, cows eat grain. In Ireland, we have a fantastic climate for growing grass.”
17 January, 2023
Interview with Lorna Conn, CEO of CPL Group, Ireland
“If you’re looking to invest in Ireland, come to CPL, we can be your partner to help you scale, attract, and retain some of the very best talent that’s available in the country today.”
17 January, 2023
Interview with Conor O’Byrne, CEO, RelateCare, Ireland
“We're working very hard to provide the best working environment for employees, people that have trusted us to foster a positive employment model that allows them to grow.”
17 January, 2023
Interview with Tom Clarke, Senior Director of West Pharmaceuticals, Ireland
"But probably the dominant factor, and what has driven the track record of success in Ireland over these last 100 years, has been talent.”
17 January, 2023
Interview with Enda Kelleher, Vice-President of Sales for North America at Sprintax, Ireland
“On the US side, the reputation of the Irish is generally positive. We're very helpful to each other.”
16 January, 2023
Interview with Stella Clarke, Chief Strategy and Marketing Officer of Fenergo, Ireland
“We're now able to assist banks with understanding their customers throughout their lifecycle in real time. This allows them to monitor how clients behave on a daily basis, and that it is in line with their business intent and risk profile.”
11 January, 2023
Interview with Deborah Threadgold, General Manager of IBM Ireland
“IBM is probably almost as famous for its ability to transform as it is for its technology.”
10 January, 2023
Interview with Conor Healy, CEO of Cork Chamber of Commerce, Ireland
“Just providing that element of state support for those businesses as well as a strong focus on infrastructure development in Cork, we are now seeing a lot of investment in public transport,..."
06 January, 2023
Interview with Eoin Hinchy, Co-Founder and CEO, Tines
“It's a thrilling experience to make a bet, hope for the best, but then to actually see the product add value to customers, big and small. That's a feeling that never gets old.”
09 December, 2022
Interview with Brian Hayes, CEO of Banking & Payments Federation Ireland (BPFI)
“I think it’s important that disruptive technologies are taken seriously.”
06 December, 2022
