Ireland's first ESA Phi-Lab to be based in Mullingar

Ireland's first European Space Agency Phi-Lab will be headquartered at Irish Manufacturing Research in Mullingar, Co Westmeath.

The six-year pioneering programme is designed to drive innovation in space technologies within companies in Ireland.

Phi-Lab Ireland will fund cutting-edge research from materials discovery and testing, to the scaled production of components optimised for the unique and challenging environment of space.

The launch forms part of a wider national commitment to the European Space Agency, with the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment committing €170 million in investment to ESA over the next five years.

Produced using a space-grade additive-manufactured material mounted on a local piece of 6,500-year-old Irish Bog Oak, the plaque heralds Ireland’s formal entry into ESA’s elite network of applied space-innovation centres.

Since the publication of Ireland’s ‘National Space Strategy for Enterprise’ in 2019, there are now 120 space-active companies working with ESA in Ireland.

Speaking at the launch, Barry Kennedy, CEO of IMR, described the new Phi-Lab as a defining moment for Ireland’s innovation landscape. “Today marks a significant milestone in Ireland’s space and innovation ambition.

"IMR is proud to lead the launch of ESA Phi-Lab Ireland, establishing it as a national platform for space technology development.

"This facility positions Ireland at the forefront of European space-enabled innovation, where advanced manufacturing, AI and data-driven technologies can be developed, tested and commercialised for global impact. Ultimately, this is about translating world-class research into real economic and societal value.”