Ireland & Innovation: Unnatural Partners

The other day I was flipping through my Bloomberg Businessweek, when my eyes landed on the above ad. Since I'm not typically accustomed to seeing little smiley faces on ads, I stopped and took a look and found that it was an ad for Ireland. Actually, to be precise, a new innovative Ireland.

I must admit that I have never really associated Ireland with being terribly innovative. Instead, images of rolling green hills, Shepherd's pie, leprechauns, pubs, and Celtic music come to mind. Since Ireland is #1 on my "places I'd like to visit" list, these are assuredly positive images.

But, my curiosity was piqued. What had Ireland done to become innovative? Why does "innovation come naturally" in Ireland?

To learn more, I visited their website and their Facebook page and here's what I learned. Their Facebook page stated: "The IDA is responsible for the development and promotion of foreign industry and enterprise in Ireland. The IDA is focusing on attracting high value investment into Ireland such as Research & Development activities, European Headquarters, Advanced manufacturing and supply chain management activities."

And their website offered up the following: "Continuous innovation plays a central role in Ireland’s future as a knowledge-based economy. Recognising this, the Irish Government put in place a national Strategy for Science, Technology and Innovation (SSTI) in the 1990s. Following from this significant funding and support are available to fuel innovation across industry, research and education."

Okay, I think I get it. IDA is trying to convince American businesses that Ireland is a good place to bring your business.

But, I still don't truly understand why I should bring my business to Ireland ... or why Ireland is terribly innovative ... or why Facebook is a space for people who think in a certain way is relevant to either Ireland or innovation.

I'm just confused.

(And maybe wishing I hadn't written this blog, after all.)