MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--IDA Ireland, the Irish government agency responsible for foreign direct Investment, today announced its return to Austin for the South by Southwest (SXSW) Music Conference and Festival. IDA will bring a unique Irish performance to SXSW, a street parade and performance on Saturday, March 12, by the internationally renowned Macnas performance troop.
“Ireland has a strong creative culture that attracts organizations from all over the world,” said Paraic Hayes, senior vice president of U.S. west coast operations for IDA Ireland. “South by Southwest, with its celebration of creativity, is the perfect place to showcase the innovation and talent that differentiates Ireland internationally.”
According to the European Commission, Ireland’s Gross Domestic Product will grow by 4.5 percent in 2016 – the fastest rate in Europe. This growth has been fueled by Irish innovations in digital health solutions, pharmaceuticals, and software development. Ireland’s success is also driven by its professional talent pool, with more than 40 percent of the country’s population consisting of young adults under 30, many of whom have a strong background in science, technology, engineering and math. This young, talented workforce has made Ireland an ideal location for U.S. companies looking to expand their presence into Europe. Many of the most successful companies in the world use Ireland to better service and grow their European business, including: Google, Intel, Facebook, PayPal, Apple, Amazon, Twitter, Airbnb, Slack, Dropbox and many more.
“IDA Ireland’s innovative approach leads to exciting collaborations between all representative bodies of Irish music, film, start-ups, indigenous companies and international companies,” continued Hayes. “At least one west coast U.S. Company has opened an office in Ireland every two weeks for the last two years and we are committed to supporting and growing relationships with U.S. organizations in 2016.”
The Macnas street parade and spectacle will showcase Ireland’s spirit of creativity and the unique bond that the country has forged between technology and the arts. Titled “Wild Hunt and the Sleepwalker,” the performance will chronicle the adventures of a 15-foot tall boy explorer and his encounters with magical creatures, fire and light. The performance will take place on Saturday, March 12, 2016 from 6:45 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on 6th Street in Austin, Texas. More information can be found at: http://schedule.sxsw.com/2016/events/event_OE04674.
About IDA Ireland
Ireland's inward investment promotion agency IDA Ireland is a government agency promoting Foreign Direct Investment into Ireland through a wide range of services. We partner with potential and existing investors to help them establish or expand their operations in Ireland.