Minister Patrick O’Donovan TD was joined by Vanessa Hartley, Head of Google Ireland to celebrate the official opening of The Factory, a dedicated community arts and culture space located at Bolands Mills, the new urban quarter made possible by Google. Designed as a home for creativity, collaboration, and community engagement, The Factory reaffirms Google’s long-standing commitment to its local community.
Long a landmark on Dublin’s cultural map, The Factory has hosted legendary names like The Bolshoi Ballet, U2, and David Bowie, who have spent time here, performing, recording or rehearsing. The Factory has also nurtured some of Ireland’s most talented actors and film-makers. Paying homage to its rich history, the space has been restored by Google in consultation with multiple local community groups across the arts and creative industries including the National Performance Arts School, Neurodiversity Irishtown, Ringsend & Pearse Street (NIRP), RMS Music, the Dublin 4 Dance Academy, St Andrews Resource Centre, Ringsend Community Services Forum, Education Task Force and This City Works.
Vanessa Hartley, Head of Google Ireland said:
“For 22 years, Google has been proud to call Ireland home to our EMEA headquarters. What began with just five employees in a shared office has grown into a thriving team of over 5,000 people around Barrow Street. But our presence here has always been about more than just offices — it’s about being a supportive part of the local community.
“With the opening of The Factory, we’re creating a revitalised space for arts, culture, and creativity — a space for people to come together, express themselves, and nurture the talent of the Dublin Docklands. This is just one part of our commitment to being an active, helpful neighbour, and we’re extremely grateful to all those who helped bring this vision to life.”
The Factory is located at the site of the historic Bolands flour mills which was acquired by Google in 2018. Now complete, the restoration of the 150-year-old mill and surrounding site includes over 50,000 square feet of newly landscaped outdoor areas alongside 30,000 square feet of retail and community space. Bolands Mills also provides a new hub for Google’s engineering teams, retail spaces for an eclectic mix of independent local businesses, as well as 46 discounted-rental apartments made available to key workers supporting the local community via Clúid.
Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, Patrick O’Donovan said:
“The restoration of The Factory is a shining example of how we can preserve our cultural heritage while creating new opportunities for creativity and community. Spaces like this are essential for fostering artistic expression, inclusion, and innovation — especially in dynamic urban areas like the Dublin Docklands. I commend Google for their ongoing commitment to cultural engagement and look forward to seeing The Factory become a vibrant hub for local talent and creative collaboration.”
The Factory is now ready to continue the creative legacy of The Docklands. As a versatile hub for all forms of expression, it has been redesigned for flexibility and inclusivity — offering a blank canvas for diverse voices, sounds, and rhythms of the neighbourhood. From 2025, this storied space will be available for local groups to book for various creative, educational, and cultural activities. Requests for booking can be made at https://bolandsmills.com/event-spaces/.
Speaking at the event, local artist Paula Moen said:
“The arts are a vital part of Ireland’s cultural identity. Spaces like The Factory at Bolands Mills are essential in nurturing creativity and community connection. The support of a global company like Google is invaluable and very much appreciated in our local communities—not only does it help preserve our rich artistic heritage, but it also empowers local artists to thrive and innovate. It’s crucial that we continue to champion our homegrown talent and create opportunities for artists at every level, ensuring that the ancient creative spirit of Ireland remains strong and vibrant for generations to come.”
