An Taoiseach Micheál Martin has officially opened a new office building overlooking Cork city that will house up to 1,300 employees at Apple’s European headquarters. The global technology company, Cork’s largest private employer, currently has around 6,000 staff, mainly based at its Hollyhill campus on the north side of the city.
Speaking at the opening, An Taoiseach praised Apple’s contribution to Cork and Ireland, saying it “cannot be overstated,” noting the thousands of highly skilled roles created and the company’s continuous investment in its Irish operations.
The Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr Fergal Dennedy, described Apple as a “cornerstone of innovation and growth” in the city for the past 45 years. He said the company’s expansion reflects Cork’s evolution from a regional centre to what is projected to be Ireland’s fastest-growing city-region over the next two decades. Cllr Dennedy will host a civic reception at City Hall this evening to recognise Apple’s impact on the city.
At the same time, Apple announced the opening of its first permanent office in Dublin. Located at Park Place near the Iveagh Gardens, the new office will accommodate up to 300 employees. The Irish Development Authority (IDA) welcomed the opening, saying it would “support the ongoing diversification and development of its Irish operations.” Employees are expected to begin moving into the Dublin office later this year, carrying out work similar to that performed by teams in Cork.
Apple’s Cork campus hosts staff across multiple business areas, including operations, engineering, manufacturing, procurement, customer support, and AppleCare. The company first established an Irish operation in 1980 with a manufacturing facility at Hollyhill employing 60 people. Today, the Cork operation employs 6,000 people from more than 90 countries, supporting Apple customers in over 130 countries and shipping products to more than 50 nations.
The expansion underlines Apple’s ongoing commitment to Ireland as a key hub for European operations. The new Cork building provides modern facilities to accommodate a growing workforce and consolidates the company’s presence in the city. In addition to creating jobs, the development is expected to strengthen Cork’s role as a centre for high-tech innovation and enterprise.
IDA Ireland said the new offices in Cork and Dublin will allow Apple to diversify its operations and offer a wider range of roles to local and international talent. The company continues to invest in Ireland both in terms of physical infrastructure and workforce development, positioning itself as a central player in the country’s technology ecosystem.
With the opening of these new facilities, Apple’s footprint in Ireland continues to grow, reflecting decades of investment that have helped establish Cork as a major centre for technology and innovation in Europe.
