Apple unveils state-of-the-art building powered by renewables at Cork's Hollyhill facility

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has officially opened Apple’s new state-of the-art Hollyhill 5 facility, which can accommodate up to 1,300 of the firm's employees.

Like all Apple facilities, Hollyhill 5, which teams began transferring to in June 2025, runs on 100% renewable energy. The Cork campus features more than 200 solar thermal panels and also has rainwater harvesting.

The new building features large atriums to bring in natural light, and a design which includes local elements including Kilkenny limestone.

At its height, construction of the new facility employed 550 tradespeople, under the direction of architects Scott Tallon Walker and general contractor PJ Hegarty.

Cathy Kearney, vice-president of operations at Apple, said: “We’ve called Ireland home for more than 45 years, and are proud to continue expanding our operations and investing in our people and community here.

“Our 6,000 team members in Ireland play a critical role in supporting Apple’s customers in Europe and beyond and we’re delighted to build on this later this year with our new office in Dublin.” 

Apple opened its manufacturing facility in Cork in 1980 with 135 team members. The campus now houses teams across the business, from operations, engineering, and manufacturing to procurement, customer support and AppleCare.

More than 6,000 people across Ireland work for Apple, primarily in Cork, with members of more than 90 nationalities working in the Cork office.

In 2022, Apple further expanded its Hollyhill campus, opening a state-of-the-art test and engineering facility responsible for testing and analysing its products.

Later this year Apple will move employees into its first office in Dublin at 4/5 Park Place, adjacent to the Iveagh Gardens. The new office will have capacity for 300 employees and the work there complements that of the teams in Cork.

Taosieach Micheál Martin said: “I'm delighted to open this state-of-the-art new facility in Hollyhill today and to see firsthand the major investment that Apple is making here.

“The contribution Apple has made in Cork and Ireland over the last 45 years cannot be overstated - creating thousands of highly-skilled roles and continually investing in their Irish operations.” Lord Mayor of Cork, councillor Fergal Dennehy, said: “Apple has been a cornerstone of innovation and growth in Cork City for the last 45-years.

“Since first establishing its presence here in 1980 with a single manufacturing facility and just 60 employees, the Silicon Valley-based company now employs around 6,000 people in Ireland, most of them here in Hollyhill - Cork’s very own Silicon Hill.

“The company’s growth here to become the city’s largest private employer mirrors Cork city’s own journey from a regional centre to what will be Ireland’s fastest growing city-region over the next two decades.

“The past 45 years have shown what can be achieved when an ambitious city works together with and an innovative global company, its visionary leaders and its dedicated staff.

“Cork is proud of this partnership, proud of Apple’s achievements, and we are all excited for what comes next.” 

Since launching the employee giving programme in 2011, Apple team members in Ireland have supported more than 600 charities in the country.

Representatives of some of the Cork charities were in attendance for the opening, such as Garry McCarthy, creative director of The Kabin.

He said: “Apple’s Empowering Creatives support has had a transformative impact on The Kabin. Access to professional Apple technology, fun new ideas and creative projects has removed technical barriers and given young people the confidence to take creative ownership of their work.

“It’s not just about equipment, it’s about the trust, belief and giving people the tools to tell their own stories at a professional level while staying rooted in their community. The young people can now sit into the producer’s chair themselves and lead their own creative projects which builds a supportive creative community where young people can be unapologetically themselves.” 

Tara Casserly, chairperson of Field of Dreams, added: “With help from Apple we've transformed a simple field into a vibrant horticultural space that provides adults the skills and opportunities to reach their potential. Alongside this the Apple Schools Programme is empowering our adults to engage confidently in a digital world.

“As a self-funded branch of Down Syndrome Ireland, Apple Volunteers help us to help ourselves by supporting our fundraising events. Apple then matches this with a donation, helping fund essential services such as specialised speech and language therapy.”