Elfordstown Earthstation, Observatory near Midleton, Cork, Ireland

Elfordstown Earthstation is a satellite communication facility located north of Midleton that operates multiple large antennas for receiving and transmitting signals to orbiting satellites. The installation houses several antennas of different sizes and frequencies, allowing it to maintain connections with various satellite networks across Europe and beyond.

The facility opened in 1984 through a partnership between Telecom Éireann and Eutelsat, initially handling voice, data, and television transmissions across Europe. The location grew to become an important hub connecting telecommunication networks across different continents.

The NSC Space Academy at Elfordstown provides specialized education programs for engineers and IT professionals in satellite communications and space technology.

The site lies about 5 km north of Midleton, reached by a 3 km private road, and is enclosed by a 2.5 m fence. Entry is only possible after registration, so arrange it in advance. A car is the practical way to get there.

A 121.3-metre free-standing lattice tower stands on the 30,000-square-metre site, used for radio relay links to and from the facility. The 32-metre C band dish that dominates the grounds has been out of service since the site's fibre-cable era, while five working antennas range from 3.7 to 13.1 metres.