Future Cast has opened a €3.25 million Innovation, Research, Development and Education Centre in Manorhamilton, Co Leitrim, transforming a derelict 200-year-old church into a modern facility supporting innovation, workforce development and research for Ireland's construction, quarrying and manufacturing sectors.

The new 10,000 sq ft centre was officially opened by Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment Peter Burke, with Minister of State Marian Harkin also attending the launch.

Drawing on coverage by Irish Tech News, the redevelopment forms part of Future Cast's wider investment in regional innovation infrastructure and was supported through the Border Enterprise Development Fund administered by Enterprise Ireland.

The facility brings together specialist laboratories, prototype development areas and advanced training spaces under one roof. It includes geological and material science laboratories, machine development facilities, green skills training areas and equipment supporting emerging technologies such as 3D concrete printing.

Future Cast said the centre will provide businesses, researchers and designers with access to technical expertise, specialist equipment and collaborative development space to accelerate research, prototype testing and product innovation.

Training programmes delivered at the site are expected to include advanced construction techniques, digital manufacturing technologies and maintenance skills for offshore wind infrastructure, supporting evolving workforce requirements across the built environment sector.

The organisation currently employs 22 people across its existing operations in Manorhamilton and Ballaghaderreen, Co Roscommon, and expects the new centre to create an additional 15 specialist positions over the coming years in areas including material science, prototype development, machine design and technical training.

For facilities management professionals, the project demonstrates how adaptive reuse can extend the operational life of existing buildings while creating purpose-built environments for research, education and industry collaboration. The redevelopment also highlights continued investment in regional facilities that combine training, innovation and operational capability to support long-term economic and industrial growth.