By Business & Finance 
Pictured: JD Buckley, Chief Executive Sky Ireland
Sky has had a presence in Ireland for over 20 years. Since the opening of its Irish corporate headquarters in early 2013, the Comcast-owned subsidiary has had on-the-ground support in the Irish capital in order to facilitate its continued growth.
Sky Ireland offers customers telephone, internet and television services across the country. Located on Burlington Road, Dublin, its Irish corporate headquarters were opened by then-Taoiseach Enda Kenny on 18 January, 2013.
Although Sky had a presence in Ireland for the better half of 20 years, it was decided that the company develop a hub in the country’s capital in order to better cater to its Irish customers.
At the time, Sky’s Group Chief Executive Jeremy Darroch said that Ireland has been a great market for Sky: “We’ve been here from the very start, growing to become the most popular provider of TV in the country” he said.
“For the first time, we will have a dedicated presence on-the-ground to support this growth.”
Following its inception, the Comcast-owned subsidiary vowed to invest 1.25 billion in Ireland, with greater emphasis to be placed on indigenous, Irish-focused entertainment. This culminated in the creation of Irish television shows broadcast across its various television channels, as well as the employment of over 900 people.
Despite the country being in the throes of recession at the time, a report by the London-based consultancy Oliver & Ohlbaum showed that Sky was the largest player in the market with €382 million worth of revenue in 2011. The industry, propelled by Sky and its partners, continued to thrive under the most difficult of circumstances.
Sky has also enjoyed a greater share of the market in Ireland with over 70 percent of households enjoying its services in 2013 compared to 60 percent in the United Kingdom.
In 2018, Sky became BT’s ‘exclusive distribution provider’ in Ireland, allowing for BT’s various sports channels to become available in Ireland through Sky’s subscriptions service. Sky has also helped establish On Demand and Catch-up TV services to its Irish customers in 2013, as well as the launch of Now TV in 2017.
