AFAIK, Google does not do "smart" stuff in Ireland, they have a datacenter there but the software tricks are done in Zürich. According to their job offers anywa

AFAIK, Google does not do "smart" stuff in Ireland, they have a datacenter there but the software tricks are done in Zürich. According to their job offers anyway. I also visited an HP factory in Ireland, it makes printer cartridges but does not innovate much. Also worked for them in a phone call center. Again, not really startupy. It seems clear to me that thay all came in Ireland to evade taxes. Moreover, the atmosphere is not exactly right for startups. The weather sucks. The food is dismal. And when I was there it was expensive as hell, and the bubble hasn't finished exploding yet.