Research & Innovation

A worldwide technology leader, Cisco is celebrating 10 years in Co. Galway. The establishment of the Oranmore site in 2006 was the brainchild of former Senior Vice President Barry O’Sullivan, star of Dragon’s Den. Galway was recognised as posing a “big opportunity” for Cisco due to the fantastic skillset of workers in the region and the support of the IDA, according to R&D Site Leader Pat Hession.

Beginning with just four employees, Cisco employs just under 200 people. Now a major innovation hub and R&D site for Cisco’s Global Collaboration business, the site is home to leading innovations that remove barriers to accessing and using technology for work-based activities.

“We’re doing very high-end research and development here which is a very positive thing for the region. It says a lot for the skillset and the people we have,” says Mr Hession.

The US global leading technical company recently won ‘Best Workplace’ in Ireland for medium sized businesses at a ceremony in Dublin. Commenting on the company’s 10 year anniversary, IDA Chief Executive Martin Shanahan said, “Over the past 10 years Cisco has thrived in Galway and the company brand has since become synonymous with innovation. Cisco has contributed significantly to the local economy and enhanced the reputation of the county as a prominent tech hub.”

In the last three years, the company has placed a major focus on cloud computing including voice and video communications, new technology areas which are strategically important for the future of the business and which are now centrally developed in the Galway site under the brand name of Cisco Spark.

Cisco is also a major sponsor and presence at the annual Galway Science and Technology Festival and members of Cisco staff were instrumental in the establishment of the Atlantec conference. Cisco also help to support IT skills for all ages, including ‘Age Action’ complimentary computer classes for elderly members of the local community, provided by staff, supporting ‘Girls in Tech’ programmes with local secondary schools and engagement with university students across multiple initiatives. Its recent birthday celebrations also included a ‘Bring Your Kids To Work’ event, attended by nearly 100 children.

The company and Cisco Galway site are “in a great position moving forward”, but Mr Hession stressed that there is a need to prioritise broadband services in rural areas, to enable more people to work from home. “We build technology that allows people to work from anywhere and as part of that, we need to continue to improve our broadband especially in the more rural areas.”