Forge Works

Forge Works

To nurture the digital economy with vital support and resources for start-ups and remote workers, the Burren Lowlands group are opening an enterprise centre, Forge Works.

Forge Works is a coworking and collaborative space for entrepreneurs, start-ups, and remote workers. The centre is a focal point for enterprise development, training and business support in Gort and the surrounding Burren Lowlands region.

Forge Works is leading the way in offering coworking space built with social distancing in mind, featuring an innovative office plan and catering for remote working and videoconferencing.

Traditionally, Irish people have emigrated in response to economic downturns, but this may not be practical in the post-pandemic world.  Forge Works will bring global jobs to Ireland via remote working rather than sending the local workforce abroad.  

Supported By Enterprise Ireland

Enterprise Ireland recognises the economic stimulation such centres are creating in rural Ireland. They awarded the Burren Lowlands group a match-funding grant of €182,786 in 2019 to develop and manage Forge Works.

Forge Works was borne

While the enterprise centre is under development, the Enterprise Development Manager is:

 • Supporting 25 small business owners to apply for Online Trading Vouchers to develop eCommerce websites. These are 90%-funded government grants, each worth €2500. The Trading Online Voucher Scheme helps small businesses with up to 10 employees to trade more online, boost sales and reach new markets. Over 2000 businesses that have already participated in this scheme report a 20% increase in sales, with an 80% jump in sales leads. Three in five report exporting for the first time.

• Developing a community/tourist phone app that will include the description, location, opening times, web address, and phone number of every business in the Burren Lowlands.

• Leading the local chapter of Grow Remote, a voluntary organisation that helps to make remote work more accessible to people living in rural Ireland, to help people in the Burren Lowlands to upskill and find remote work.

Once the centre is open, ongoing revenue will sustain its monthly expenses, and the plan is to offer training courses and events at nominal cost to help meet local business needs and nurture entrepreneurs.

How will the enterprise centre benefit users?

Forge Works coworking space will promote collaboration, community, openness, accessibility, and sustainability while maintaining the highest level of social distancing and hygiene practices. It will offer remote workers a cost-effective alternative to working exclusively from home or office. And it will give entrepreneurs an affordable, professional working environment in which to launch their businesses.

Members will benefit by:

• Working independently – but not alone

• Improving work/life balance

• Establishing a healthy work routine

• Enjoying flexibility in working environment

• Reducing commute time

• Eliminating leases and utility bills

• Projecting a professional image in online video conference calls