Monday 26 October 2026, Ennis, County Clare, Local people, along with campaigners from Futureproof Clare, Extinction Rebellion Ireland and other groups gathered on Saturday at the site of a planned hyperscale data centre on Tulla Rd next to the M18 to demonstrate their staunch opposition to it, citing what they see as the colonisation of Ireland by big tech, through data centres with massive energy and water demands that exacerbate the climate crisis and result in higher energy bills for homes and businesses. The protest followed dismissal this month of an appeal to the Supreme Court of a High Court decision that upheld planning permission for the development.
The protesters built a makeshift stage and shelter with pallets, wooden poles and tarps, to discuss the colonial nature of big tech data centres in Ireland, the detrimental health impacts this data centre would have on the people of Ennis and the ongoing complicity of tech giants in the genocide in Palestine. They had planned to erect a 12-metre-high tent to host workshops and talks for the weekend, but decided that it was too dangerous given the high winds and the overhead power lines. In atrocious weather conditions, they shared food and solidarity. They held down the site until the afternoon when Gardai arrived and engaged with a designated liaison. The protesters agreed to leave, vowing that this was just the first step in a new wave of opposition to the data centre – construction of which could start as early as 2027. The Gardaí returned later as the protesters were leaving.
Speakers at the protest included Clare woman Melina Sharp and Ennis residents, Dr Colin Doyle and Martin Knox who addressed those assembled to talk about the importance of opposing the 1.3 million square foot data centre complex, which would include 6 data centre buildings, a gas power plant and diesel generators.
Demanding a “stop to the construction of the Ennis data centre complex” and “a ban on new data centres in Ireland" the protesters named their campaign 'Saoirse Don Talamh Resistance', meaning 'freedom to the land' and said they will not back down.
Christine Sharp, a retired horticulturalist from Clare said, “The idea that the air in Ennis would be poisoned with plumes from eighteen stacks pumping out methane from the dirtiest of fossil fuels is terrifying.” She added, “We know data centres increase energy prices for the public and local communities, as they increase energy demand. We know these companies hold mainly unnecessary AI data, marketing data, and military intel used to oppress and kill people around the world. We know these fuels are causing the climate crisis and harm to humans and the earth and we should be reducing this damage as much as possible at this breaking point of the climate emergency. So, why are we allowing these parasitic companies to proliferate?”
Martin Knox, a grandfather and retired chemist said, “We’re just pawns in the game and there are no guard rails in place to protect us from corporate capture or colonisation by American tech bros. We were a colony for 800 years already and we seem happy to go there again.” He added, “The data centre’s power plant will impact the air quality in the town because of emissions which affect the developing lungs of children.”
Johanna Legnar, a graphic artist who travelled from Clonakilty for the event said, "I can't just stand back while these data centres grow like a cancer in this country, guzzling energy and water for purposes like training AI systems in warfare and surveillance. These resources should be going to people in their homes, not to make profits for big tech. We have to wake up to the threat of these data centres and band together in fighting them wherever they are proposed - in Ennis, Kilmeaden, Naas and all communities threatened by these monstrosities."
Melina Sharp, a member of BDS Clare said, “Amazon was flagged to operate and showed support for the Ennis data centre and power plant. Do we want Amazon, which is deeply involved with the Israeli military, creating target lists of Palestinians by providing, surveillance, data storage and analysis under Project Nimbus, together with Google, in Ennis? They are also investing heavily in Israeli data centres and even funding the illegal settlements in Palestine.” She added, “There are alternatives to these big tech companies. Because of their ongoing involvement in genocide, we need to stop using their services and resist their expansion in Ennis and beyond.”
END
References:
https://www.thejournal.ie/investigates-data-centre-water-use-7110966-Jul2026/