When people think about cloud computing, they often picture software and data. But as Amazon Chief Global Affairs and Legal Officer David Zapolsky told guests at a breakfast event in Washington DC this week, the cloud is also deeply physical.
"The cloud is steel and switchgear. It is precision power systems. It is advanced cooling, logistics, and construction delivered at extraordinary scale," said Zapolsky.
Since Amazon first established a presence in Ireland in 2004, the company has invested more than €22 billion and employs thousands of people across Dublin, Cork, and Louth. But the impact of that investment extends well beyond Amazon's own operations.
Independent economic analysis shows that AWS investment has enabled the expansion and growth of over 500 Irish companies across engineering, manufacturing, energy, logistics and construction. Irish suppliers working with AWS have secured hundreds of millions of euros in contracts for cloud infrastructure projects overseas, exporting to more than 28 countries.
"Irish companies helped us build in Ireland,” shared Zapolsky. “And are now helping us build globally."
Irish engineering on a world stage
Several Irish companies have become global leaders through their work with AWS. Hanley Energy has grown from a small Irish firm into an international engineering powerhouse with major operations in Virginia. H&MV Engineering, STS Group, and ATC Logistics — each recipients of the AWS Horizon Award — represent the highest standards of engineering, electrification, and logistics excellence.
A key enabler of this success has been Enterprise Ireland, whose support has helped ambitious Irish businesses scale internationally and deliver world-class capability on the ground.
One Amazon: Retail, cloud, and beyond
Amazon's relationship with Ireland extends well beyond AWS. The recent launch of Amazon.ie now brings hundreds of millions of products to Irish customers with faster delivery and local pricing — and supports Irish SMEs selling on the platform.
“Amazon remains deeply committed to Ireland’s future,” said Zapolsky. “This reflects our confidence in Ireland as a long-term partner and our determination to continue building, innovating, and growing together."
The Kentucky connection
The US–Ireland relationship is genuinely two-way. Amazon has invested more than $60 billion in Kentucky since 2010, helping support more than 50,000 indirect jobs. But Irish companies are investing in America too. Portwest — an Irish safety and workwear company — operates a facility in Kentucky and sells to customers across the United States, including through Amazon's marketplace.
“Amazon’s supporting opportunities across Ireland and the United States,” said Zapolsky. “This is not a one-way flow of capital. It is a two-way exchange of expertise, innovation, and enterprise.”
The breakfast event "The US–Ireland Economic Partnership: Powering America’s Digital Future and Creating Jobs from Virginia to Kentucky" took place on March 16th, 2026, at the DuPont Circle Hotel, Washington DC, hosted by Amazon and Enterprise Ireland during St Patrick's Week.
