Louth County Council welcome launch of FabLab at Creative Spark

The launch of the enterprise ‘FabLab’ at Creative Spark in Dundalk was welcomed by Louth County Council, a key partner in the project’s delivery of increased co-working spaces.

The event took place on Thursday, June 8th, at Creative Spark, Clontygora Court, Muirhevnamor, with Cathaoirleach of Louth County Council, Cllr. Conor Keelan also cutting the ribbon at the new extension to the building which houses FabLab.

The new enterprise FabLab aims to provide professionals, SMEs, innovators and makers in the northeast region with access to equipment, support and training in digital design and advanced fabrication.

By connecting with the global FabLab community, spanning 100 countries, Creative Spark Enterprise FabLab serves as a centre for digital design and fabrication knowledge-sharing and innovation.

Louth County Council has a strong history of supporting enterprise. In 2011 the former Dundalk Town Council agreed a lease on the land for Creative Spark and renewed that lease in 2022, with an extra piece of land, to allow for the construction of this extension.

Louth County Council supports Creative Spark through its Arts Service contributing to the development of the Print Studio and the Artist-in-Residence programme. It also has supported the Creative Spark Downtown Hub which has brought a new lease of life to an old, semi-derelict premises, on Clanbrassil Street which is now a busy co-working hub.

The LouthCoCo Local Economic and Community Plan includes among its goals the aim of delivering viable local economies underpinned by innovation and entrepreneurship and the advancement of economic and social development by providing a targeted continuum of lifelong learning and skills development.

The population of County Louth and the North-east region will benefit from the new FabLab facility, including:

• Individuals/entrepreneurs, Start-ups, micro business, SME, inventors, industrial enterprises and social enterprises, who have requirements for prototyping and conceptualising physical designs, and will benefit from knowledge transfer, a community of makers and entrepreneurs and access to production facilities and workspace.
• Educators - 3rd level (DkIT), schools, colleges, FE, HE, adult & lifelong learning.
• Community groups -  FabLabs have been proven to be innovative models of engaging communities including creating opportunities for peacebuilding, labour market integration, accelerating new start social enterprises and building collaborations between the social economy, the private sector and intermediaries in finance, mentoring support and skills. This has seen children, young people, students and adults of all ages and abilities discover ways to participate.

Creative Spark will also work with Louth County Council throughout the next year on a project celebrating Brigid 1500, working with artists, community groups and schools.

 FabLab-ribbon-cutting.

FabLab staff Gary Clarke, Oscar Diaz, Carl McAteer

FabLab staff with Pat McCormick and Una McGooey