Accelerating innovation in Ireland’s south east
Glassworks is a flagship innovation campus in the heart of Ireland’s south east — a place where university meets enterprise, and ideas become impact.
Jointly being developed by South East Technological University (SETU), Frisby Group and the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund (ISIF), Glassworks is designed to foster collaboration, creativity and global impact. It brings research and industry side by side to accelerate discovery, support enterprise, and drive regional transformation through innovation-led growth.
Ireland’s south east has the ambition, talent and coordination to lead nationally. What sets the region apart is its ability to act as one, with strong, established partnerships across education, industry, government and civic society, all working towards a shared vision for growth.
One region. One university. Unlimited potential.
At the centre of Ireland’s south east region is SETU, Ireland’s newest university and a driving force behind a growing, connected innovation ecosystem. With campuses across the region and over 4,000 graduates each year, SETU delivers high-impact research and talent across key sectors including pharma, ICT, agriculture and advanced manufacturing.
- 1 region with the ambition to lead
- 1 University at the heart of regional transformation
- 3 SETU Xcelerate Centres driving entrepreneurship through incubation
- 4 Technology Gateways connecting research to to real-world innovation
- 100s of connected innovation hubs
- 1000s of industry partnerships
- 500k+ people call the south east of Ireland home
- 1 Glassworks - a bold new campus where university meets enterprise
Building 1 at Glassworks
The opening of Building 1 at Glassworks marks a powerful coming together of education, industry, and investment, united by a shared vision for regional growth. Developed by Frisby Group and supported by the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund (ISIF), the project is a major step forward in creating a dynamic space for innovation and opportunity.
Watch below as Professor Veronica Campbell, President of SETU, highlights the importance of collaboration in shaping environments where students, researchers, and enterprise can truly thrive.
Glassworks campus
Cork Road, Waterford
Ireland’s south east
Driven by people, united by place, connected by purpose
With a shared regional vision, strong partnerships and world-class talent, the south east is primed for transformative growth. Glassworks is designed to be a global beacon for collaboration and innovation.
By bringing together students, researchers and businesses, the Glassworks campus will support new discoveries, drive economic growth and strengthen the region’s position as a centre of excellence.
- Academic and commercial collaboration
Bringing together talent from SETU and industry to foster synergies. - Innovation and creativity
Providing a platform for startups, established businesses, and academic research to converge. - Community integration
Serving as a cornerstone for regional development and a source of pride for the local community.
The Glassworks brand
Inspired by the cut-glass patterns of crystalware, the Glassworks “W” reflects the site’s rich heritage of craftsmanship and design. It symbolises where university meets enterprise — a place where knowledge, creativity and industry come together to shape the future and deliver on SETU’s ambition of inspiring futures.
