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Dublin has the highest take-up of online advertising among its firms - while Donegal has the lowest. INPHO/Lorraine O'Sullivan
eCounty Awards

Rural counties perform well in Google's first 'eCounty Awards'

26 counties have been ranked in terms of Google advertising and take-up of the Getting Irish Business Online initiative.

RURAL COUNTIES have performed well – in some cases outranking major cities – in Google’s first ‘eCounty Awards’.

The search giant has unveiled its first ranking of Irish counties in terms of the number of customers using its AdWords search product, combined with the number of local businesses who have taken up the Getting Irish Business Online initiative.

Though Dublin tops the 26-county list, Wicklow and Carlow come in second and third place – while Galway is in 12th and Cork a mere 15th.

Google’s Simon Bolger said while Dublin’s success was to be expected, “it is interesting that two less industrialised counties – Wicklow and Carlow – are ranked 2 and 3 respectively, beating larger counties such as Cork.

It reflects what we have seen in other countries where we presented these Awards – that when it comes to the Internet, anybody, almost anywhere, can boost a business by going online.

He said Google would host workshops in counties which appeared further down the list, helping to encourage small businesses there to build an online presence.

Communications minister Pat Rabbitte said the internet was contributing up to 8 per cent of the GDP of some countries, and that the government “recognises the potential of the digital economy to stimulate economic growth”.

The Google eCounty Awards: the full rankings

  1. Dublin
  2. Wicklow
  3. Carlow
  4. Meath
  5. Sligo
  6. Kildare
  7. Limerick
  8. Wexford
  9. Clare
  10. Kerry
  11. Louth
  12. Galway
  13. Leitrim
  14. Westmeath
  15. Cork
  16. Waterford
  17. Monaghan
  18. Kilkenny
  19. Longford
  20. Mayo
  21. Laois
  22. Tipperary
  23. Roscommon
  24. Cavan
  25. Offaly
  26. Donegal

Read: Online advertising up one-fifth in 2011 – study

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